ABPTS Specialist Certification · Informational

Explore the 10 ABPTS specialty areas.

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The 10 ABPTS specialty areas

This informational overview summarizes each specialty area. PTverse does not currently offer specialist exam preparation.

OCS

Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist

Informational overview

Musculoskeletal evaluation, manual therapy, orthopaedic conditions, and surgical rehabilitation.

NCS

Neurologic Clinical Specialist

Informational overview

CNS and PNS conditions — stroke, TBI, SCI, Parkinson disease, MS, vestibular disorders, and motor control.

SCS

Sports Clinical Specialist

Informational overview

Athletic injuries, sports-specific rehabilitation, return-to-sport decisions, and performance.

GCS

Geriatric Clinical Specialist

Informational overview

Falls, frailty, cognition, osteoporosis, complex medical conditions, and age-related function.

PCS

Pediatric Clinical Specialist

Informational overview

Development, pediatric neurologic conditions, congenital disorders, participation, and school-based PT.

CCS

Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Specialist

Informational overview

Cardiac rehabilitation, critical care, heart failure, pulmonary disease, and cardiothoracic care.

WCS

Pelvic & Women's Health Specialist

Informational overview

Pelvic health, pregnancy and postpartum care, continence, pain, and related conditions.

WMS

Wound Management Specialist

Informational overview

Wound care, debridement, compression, tissue healing, and integumentary conditions.

ONC

Oncologic Clinical Specialist

Informational overview

Cancer rehabilitation, lymphedema, fatigue, function, and oncology-related care.

ECS

Clinical Electrophysiologic Specialist

Informational overview

Electrodiagnostics, nerve-conduction studies, and electromyography interpretation.

Eligibility varies by specialty and exam cycle. Confirm current requirements directly with APTA Specialist Certification before applying.

ABPTS certification requirements

Current PT license

Active, unrestricted license in the US

Experience pathway

Generally 2,000 specialty patient-care hours in 10 years, including 500 in the last 3 years

Residency pathway

An eligible accredited specialty residency may satisfy the experience pathway

Examination

Specialty-specific exam administered by ABPTS

Maintenance

Ongoing MOSC requirements across each certification cycle

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