Upon completion of this presentation, you'll be able to:
 Discuss the role of specialty certification in advancing your
clinical practice and importance to our profession
 List the current areas of Areas of Specialty Practice
 Provide an overview of the ABPTS certification and maintenance
of specialty certification program
 Describe the minimum eligibility requirements for certification
and recertification for specialization
 Describe the process for board certification and maintenance of
specialty certification
 Describe the role of clinical residencies in the certification
process
 Identify top motivations to pursue ABPTS Specialty certification
Multidimensional
Patient-centered
Knowledge
Clinical
Reasoning
Collaborative
with PatientReflective
Practice
Philosophy
of PT
Practice
Primary focus;
Centered on
function:
hands-on
Movement
Jensen GM et al (2000) Phys Ther 80(1):28 – 43.
Virtues
Caring,
Commitment,
Respect,
Ethical
Practice
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Entry level degree
Years of experience
Continuing education
Post–professional residency
Post-professional degrees
Post-professional
certifications
Specialization

Specialization is a process for physical therapist
◦ Established to provide formal recognition for physical
therapists with advanced clinical knowledge, experience, and
skills in a special area of practice
◦ Professional education and development
◦ Clinical Expertise in specific areas of practice

Clinical specialization responds to a unique area of
patient need

Recognition
Assists consumers and the health care community in
identifying physical therapists who are specialists in a
unique area of practice
Voluntary – you decide
 Unrestrictive – does not prohibit others
 Coordinated - all APTA recognized are
managed by a central mechanism (ABPTS)
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Broad based foundation of
physical therapy education
and clinical practice
Combined with…
 Depth and breadth of
knowledge in specialty area
 Clinical experience in
specialty area
Knowledge
What does Clinical Specialization
Require?
Advanced clinical
expertise, skills, and
abilities unique to a
specialized practice
area
 Expertise in clinical
reasoning applied to
specialty practice area

Knowledge
 Promote
highest possible level of
physical therapy care
 Promote
ongoing development of
science and art underlying each
specialty practice
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Recognize specialists through a
reliable and valid method for
certification of specialty practitioners
Identify for the consumers and the
health care community physical
therapists who are specialists in a
unique area of practice
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Cardiovascular & Pulmonary (CCS)
Clinical Electrophysiologic (ECS)
Geriatrics (GCS)
Orthopaedics (OCS)
Pediatrics (PCS)
Neurology (NCS)
Sports (SCS)
Women’s Health (WCS)

Current license to practice physical therapy in
the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto
Rico, or the Virgin Islands
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Practice eligibility requirement is 2,000 hours
minimum of direct patient care in the specialty
area, 25% (500 hrs) of which must have occurred
in the last 3 years.
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Direct patient care
◦ must include activities in each
of the elements of
patient/client management
model applicable to the
specialty area and included in
the Description of Specialty
Practice (DSP)

Practice elements of
patient/client
management as defined in
the Guide to Physical
Therapist Practice
 Examination
 Evaluation
 Diagnosis
 Prognosis
 Intervention
 Other
requirements specific to the
specialty such as:
◦ Emergency care certification (SCS)
◦ ACLS certification (CCS)
◦ Patient reports (ECS)
◦ Case reflections (WCS)
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APTA Credentialed Clinical Residency
◦ A planned program of post-professional clinical and
didactic education that is designed to advance
significantly the physical therapist's preparation as a
provider of patient care services in a defined area of
clinical practice
◦ Residency Curriculum - designed around the DSP
◦ Specialty councils may allow completion of an APTAcredentialed clinical residency to replace all or a
portion of the practice eligibility requirements
Another exam!!!
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Last step in initial certification
process
The Specialty Councils
develop the examinations
A rigorous examination that
tests the application of
advanced knowledge and
clinical skills & reasoning
 National Board of Medical
Examiners
 Criterion referenced exam
Components of the Examination*
Patient Care
 Teaching
 Administration
 Consultation
 Communication
 Interpretation of Research

 As
defined by specific DSP

Description of
Specialty Practice (DSP)
◦ Describes the advanced
knowledge, skills, and
abilities for clinical
practice in the specialty
area
◦ Developed from a valid
process for assessing
expertise domain and
current standards of
specialty practice

Based on data from an
extensive practice
analysis study
◦ Conducted by Specialty
Councils and approved by
ABPTS
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Document from which
the certification exam is
developed
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Description of Specialty
Practice
◦ Self-Assess strengths and
weakness

Develop a plan and
strategy, decide on a
“path”
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Clinical experience in
specialty area
Seek mentor(s)
◦ Board certified specialist
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Professional development
◦ Knowledge and skills
◦ Continuing Education
◦ Post professional clinical
residency
◦ Post professional education
 Continuously
review and adapt your “path”
 Resources
◦ Resources available from APTA Sections
 Recommended textbooks
 Reading lists
 Advanced Clinical Practice Courses
◦ Study Groups
◦ *ABPTS does not approve or review material or course
content*

Application
◦ APTA Department of Post-Professional Certification and
Credentialing (www.abpts.org)

Deadline:
◦ July of the preceding year
◦ To sit for the 2013 exam, applications must be
postmarked by:
◦ July 1, 2012 – WCS, CCS, ECS
◦ July 31, 2012 – GCS, NCS, OCS, PCS, SCS

All applications are reviewed
APTA member
Non-member
Applicant Review
$500
$845
Examination
$800
$1,525
$1,300
$2,370
Total
Certification is valid for ten years with
no maintenance fees
 Exams
are offered once per year for
a two-week exam period
 Candidates may sit for the exam
between February-March
2012 – February 25–March 10, 2012
● 2013 – March 2-16, 2013
●
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Computerized
examinations,
administered at
Prometric, Inc. testing
centers
FORMAT: Multiple choice
questions including case
scenarios, videos,
pictures

Recognized at Opening Ceremony of APTA
Combined Sections Meeting (CSM)
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Recognized by sections and chapters
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Inclusion in online Directory of Certified
Specialists
Only individuals who have successfully
completed the ABPTS certification process may
use the term “Board-Certified Clinical
Specialist”
Who Are They?
Total 2012- 12,937 individuals
Cardiovascular & Pulmonary
CCS
176
Clinical Electrophysiologic
ECS
156
Geriatrics
GCS
1422
Neurology
NCS
1102
Orthopaedics
OCS
7655
Pediatrics
PCS
1178
Sports
SCS
1094
Women’s Health
WCS
154
Total in 2012 = 12,937
Female
46%
54%
Male
 Private
PT Office
 Health system or hospital-based
outpatient facility or clinic
 Academic Institution
 Supervisor/Director
 Staff
of PT
or Senior PT
 Sole Owner/Partner PT Practice
 Academic Faculty
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Proof of expertise in
specialty area
Personal challenge or
achievement
Professional career
goal
Earn a credential that
reflects advanced
practice to patients,
physicians, & payers
Source: Survey of certified specialists (2007)

Specialists report that board
certification has had a positive impact
on . . .
◦ Sense of personal achievement
◦ Self-confidence & professional growth
◦ Patient care, including better outcomes
◦ Increased credibility with patients &
referral sources
◦ Recognition in clinical, academic and
community settings
Sources: Survey of certified specialists (2007)
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Opened doors for professional growth
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Consultations
Invited Presentations
New job opportunities
Leadership & service
Teaching opportunities
Research collaboration
Networking
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SACE – exam item writers
CCE – exam item editors
SME – exam standard setting and specialty
practice analysis
Specialty Councils – over see exam development
process, maintenance of certification, specialty
practice analysis
ABPTS – board that oversees all specialties

Employer Support of ABPTS Certification
◦ 53% of employers pay at least some of the costs
associated with obtaining clinical specialization.
◦ 43% of employers indicate that they give priority in
hiring to job applicants who are board certified.

Value expertise of specialist
◦ High patient care standards
◦ Serve as mentors for others
◦ Provide team leadership
79% report that certification is a indicator
of clinical competence
 90% report that certification is an
indicator of depth and breadth of
knowledge in an area of specialty
practice
 High rate (68%) of specialists choose to
recertify

Source: Survey of certified specialists (2007)
Yes!!
 What is the process?
◦ Currency of clinical practice and
expertise in the specialty
◦ Currency of advanced knowledge and
skills in the specialty
◦ Demonstration of professional
development
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Initial Certification is valid for 10 years.
To maintain the credential, a specialist must meet
the requirements of before his or her certificate
expires
ABPTS has developed process for assessing
currency and recertification standards
Ensures to the public the validity of advanced skills
and expertise of the specialist
To verify current competence as an
advanced practitioner in the specialty
area
 Evaluation of professional
development and clinical experience
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To encourage ongoing education and
professional growth
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Current requirements
◦ Direct patient care hours in specialty (2000 hr)
AND
◦ Professional Development Portfolio (PDP)
OR
◦ Current written examination
OR
◦ Graduation from a credentialed APTA clinical residency
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Future Model - MOSC
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Documentation of professional development activities and
advanced clinical practice related to specialty practice since
initial certification
Examples:
Continuing Education courses
Clinical Supervision
College/University courses
Teaching continuing education or college courses
Research presentations (platform or poster)
Presentations to professional groups, classes, or in-services
Presentations to community or client-based groups
Author or editor of book chapters, journal articles, grant
proposals
√ Committee membership in professional organization
√ Consultation
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Maintenance of Specialist Certification
Model
(MOSC)
Recertification
Model
MOSC Model
Licensure
#1
Lifelong
Learning &
Professional
Development
#2
Professional
Standing
MOSC
Practice
Performance
Clinical Care
& Reasoning
#3
MOSC
Cognitive
Expertise
Certification
Cycle (10 yrs)
3
6
#4
9
years
CCS, ECS, GCS, NCS, OCS, PCS, SCS, WCS
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Professionals with clinical expertise
Advancing our profession
Making a difference in lives of our patients
Consider setting your career path toward
clinical excellence and Specialization
APTA
Department of Post-Professional
Certification and Credentialing
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
800/999-2782, ext 8520
http://www.abpts.org
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Stepp DD: Focus your career: Specialist Certification.
Perspectives for New Professionals of the American Physical
Therapy Association. PT InMotion. May, 2010
Bryan J, Blake A. How do other health care professionals view
specialist certification? PT Magazine. 2004;12(9):54-57.
Bryan J, Gill-Body K, Blake A. How employers view specialist
certification. PT Magazine. 2003;11(1):50-51.
Thompson M. The role of higher education in the career paths
of board-certified clinical specialists in geriatric physical
therapy: implications for professional and post professional
education. J Phys Ther Educ. 2001;15(2):10-16.
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Hart DL, Dobrzykowski EZ. Influence of orthopaedic clinical
specialist certification on clinical outcomes
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2000;30(4):183-193
Milidonis MK, Godges JJ, Jensen GM. Nature of clinical
practice for specialists in orthopaedic physical therapy.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1999;29(4):240-247
Ellison J, Becker M, Nelson AJ. Attitudes of physical
therapists who possess sports specialist certification.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1997;25(6):400-406
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Smith LC. The decision to specialize. 2001;9(6):52-59
Edmonds MM. What if? PT Magazine. 1999;7(4):44-49
Wynn KE. Why recertify? PT Magazine. 1996;4(11):68-70
Williams DO. Answering the bell: PTs & school sports.
PT Magazine. 1996;4(12):36-39
Woods EN. What’s so special about specialist certification?
PT Magazine. 1994;2(2):46-51
Ferrier MPB. One stage in professional evolution.
Clinical Management. 1991;11(2):66-70