Physical Therapy Certifications
This month CE For Therapy has partnered with PESI Inc. to offer the online course Orthopedic Myofascial Certificate: Solutions for Pain, Posture & Mobility. Link to Course Join Theresa Schmidt, PT, DPT, MS, OCS, LMT, CEAS, CHy to build a solid foundation in the leading soft tissue treatment techniques, including: Myofascial Release, Cupping, Trigger Point Release, Positional Release (strain and counterstrain), Foam rollers and Mobilization Tools, AND MORE!
CE For Therapy has an extensive database of Physical Therapy Certifications, Methods, Techniques, Specialties, and Topics offered by Continuing Education Providers. If you are aware of additional Physical Therapy Certifications, Specialties, Methods, Techniques, or Topics that you think should be added, please contact us.
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Physical Therapy Certifications and Techniques
SCI Seminars presents a comprehensive approach to the treatment of the spinal cord injured (SCI) client from onset of injury through acute inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. Expert presenters from several nationally-recognized facilities share evidence-based and experienced-based treatment techniques and considerations through lecture, video, discussion and lab activities. Participants with all levels of experience will learn to more effectively and efficiently progress their clients with spinal cord injury to reach their highest functional level. Link to Course The Myopain Seminars Manual Trigger Point Therapy Course program consists of three courses: MTT-1, MTT-2, and MTT-3. During the course program, students will learn the detailed anatomy of 150 muscles and various treatment techniques that are immediately applicable in the clinic. The MTT-1 and MTT-2 course can be taken in any order, but completion of both courses is a required pre-requisite for the MTT-3 course. During the MTT-3 course, students will take theoretical and practical examinations leading to the distinction of “Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist / Manual” or CMTPT/MTT. This online presentation will give clinicians confidence by thoroughly addressing RTSA mechanics, considerations, and pitfalls. Attendees will understand a logical, specific progression of post-operative management to achieve maximum outcomes while managing expectations and therapy visits. Link to Course This lab intensive course presents both Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) and Soft Tissue Mobilization (STM) and for the cervical and upper thoracic spines, upper ribs and shoulder regions. The participants will be instructed in the science and principles of these techniques along with an overview of the anatomy and biomechanics of the regions. This course will provide the participant with the understanding and necessary skills to apply these techniques in the clinic environment. The KettleBall is a unique rehabilitation tool in its design and usage which will help to augment any sound rehabilitation program. This course is designed for rehabilitation professionals who have limited to no exposure to Kettlebells and wish to acquire a solid foundation for using KBs in rehabilitation. This course will go over the history of the KB, basic KB biomechanics, exercise physiology and the basic general lifts utilized in rehabilitation, as well as overall fitness and sports performance training. This online certificate course will review examination procedures to identify prognostic considerations as well as best approaches to treatment. Specific sequenced treatment concepts will be presented in a practical manner using decision making algorithms. Link to Course This webinar will use recent literature to provide participants the most current understanding of concussion injury. The causes and risk factors of concussion injuries will be explored. An overview of the best practices will be presented including sideline identification, diagnosis, treatment, practice restrictions, and safe return to participation. Link to Course A systematic approach that includes scapular position, muscle performance, and movement patterns is required to best understand the role of scapular dysfunction in patients with shoulder pain. This webinar will provide a scientific basis for the evaluation and treatment of scapular dysfunction based on the latest evidence and current clinical thought. Link to Course This course aims to provide an understanding of how vision and visual processing affects persons with brain injury or disease and how therapists can address these needs within a rehabilitation setting. Participants will receive a foundation of the anatomy and neurology of visual processing. The course will then provide an understanding of visual function skills and their effect on occupation. Participants will also be provided with resources and evidenced based screening measures and guidelines for evaluating visual skills and will have the opportunity for hands on learning, administering these tools. Older adults can pose unique challenges for clinicians due to their sedentary lifestyle and potential for complex medical history. Rehabilitation professionals are experts in movement science and should play an integral role in prescription of appropriate physical activity to ensure maximal levels of success with older adults. In order to do this, a thorough functional assessment is necessary to identify the impairments that are most likely causing the activity limitation or participation restriction. The course content will provide you with a better understanding of the available evidence-based functional assessment tools available to evaluate your patient for strength or balance deficits affecting their functional status. Link to Balance Course The Certified Integrated Manual Therapist (CIMT) program is designed to create the ideal roadmap towards becoming a great manual therapist. This program will train therapists to assess dysfunction from a whole-body perspective, while “connecting the dots” from where the driver of the pain is located to where the symptoms are appearing, using an eclectic manual therapy approach. Rehabilitation of tendon repairs remains the most challenging diagnosis that hand therapists treat with an abundance of different protocols and orthoses to choose from. Many clinics default to protocols that were established in the 1970’s and 1980’s and have not been updated to what the research now dictates is a better way to treat this population. This course is designed around the most recent evidence in surgical intervention and rehabilitation of flexor and extensor tendons. Rehabilitation of elbow trauma can be daunting, especially as chronic stiffness sets in. Many clinics default to treatments devoid of clinical evidence. This course provides the most recent evidence in conservative and post-surgical interventions for a variety of elbow traumas. Case studies will be presented and discussed. Shoulder pain is extremely prevalent in the general population, being ranked as the third most common musculoskeletal complaint. This two-day hands on seminar will present a comprehensive overview of the structural and biomechanical basis of shoulder function and its relationship to the entire upper extremity. This seminar is designed to be eclectic in its delivery to best suit the needs of the busy clinician. The hands on course content will be grounded in evidence based treatment strategies and supported with pertinent case studies. You will return to your practice with new, applicable tools to treat a myriad of shoulder problems more effectively and efficiently. This hands-on course is designed to bridge the gap between evaluation and treatment of adult patients with balance disorders associated with vestibular dysfunction. A structured method of examination involving the components of movement and mobility will be presented in conjunction with treatment paradigms specific to the diagnosis and impairments. Functional testing procedures and evidenced-based treatment techniques will be demonstrated and reinforced with hands on practice time to allow for integration of the material. All course materials have been carefully designed to serve as a life long resource in the clinic. CRAFTA® delivers a unique and effective treatment and management of patients with temporomandibular and craniofacial dysfunctions and pain. The CRAFTA® courses were developed to meet the interests of physical therapists, speech pathologists, and dentists. These courses will be taught by Michiel Trouw – a Master manual therapist and an extended-scope physiotherapist. A graduate of the University of Utrecht (Netherlands), Michiel has taught the CRAFTA® concept since 2011. This course will provide participants with essential tools for clinical examination and intervention of persons following a stroke, across the continuum of care. Common impairments, activity restrictions, and participation limitations will be discussed. Evidence based interventions specific to the rehabilitation and recovery of basic mobility following stroke will be presented. Participants will have opportunities to see and work through examples and practice application of information through lecture and hands on labs. FAKTR (Functional and Kinetic Treatment with Rehabilitation) incorporates the latest research and evidence-based soft-tissue techniques into a comprehensive rehabilitation system to treat common musculoskeletal disorders and complicated injuries. The concept incorporates Various manual and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization techniques (IASTM), Cupping, Joint Compression Flossing, Visual queuing of proprioceptive movement, Active rehabilitation with therapeutic exercise, Functional movement training, and BioMechanical Taping. Link to Course The FSOAE certification is based on the The Adult Functional Independence Test (AFIT), which comprises 15 functional assessments used to measure the key components of optimal aging for middle age and older adults. Physical and occupational therapists who embrace the concept that functional assessment and treatment is their domain and who wish to become experts in AFIT are encouraged to take this course and become certified (FSOAE).This course provides thorough training in executing the AFIT with a variety of clients, and course participants will learn techniques to motivate patients/clients to engage in exercise programs tailored to their individual needs. The Geriatric Trained and Certified Clinical Specialist (GTCCS) is the only geriatric certification to earn the approval of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. The certification is designed to offer a series of courses, which culminate in a comprehensive examination consisting of written, oral and practical testing to define competency in geriatric rehabilitation. Certification is a four-day process, consisting of a review, and collegial exchange which provides the opportunity for both reviewing and updating the contents of the courses leading to certification. The third day, the written exam is taken followed by the oral exam. The last day is the practical examination with real patients to complete the process. The standard sought is one of excellence, safe application of advanced clinical skills and culmination of all pertinent information and the ability to analyze and plan in the most current and critical fashion to advance healthcare for the geriatric population. The Geriatric Trained and Certified Clinical Specialist is usually held every two to three years in January. By focusing in application, this certification course extends and enriches learning in the area of geriatric neurology. Participants will apply course content from the 5 prerequisite courses to respond to 5 course-specific, advanced case studies. Participants who successfully pass the 5 case study assignments will receive the certification designation Certified Expert in Applied Geriatric Neurology (CEAGN). NKT is both an assessment and treatment technique that addresses the causes of dysfunctional movement/coordination problems at their root in the motor control center in the cerebellum and utilizes manual muscle testing to assess if a muscle is firing properly by itself or in coordination with other muscles The basic certification includes the 15 hour Level One Course in NeuroKinetic Therapy™ corrective movement system. Level 2 and Level 3 Certification courses are also offered. TMR was created to help clinicians provide a 1st of it's kind simple, initially "weird", patient driven, quick full body assessment & treatment system Dr. Janda pioneered the concept of muscle imbalance syndromes, and developed a systematic evaluation and unique treatment approach to musculoskeletal pain syndromes. This workshop provides the scientific evidence to support the role of muscular imbalance in the pathogenesis of musculoskeletal pain. The DNS approach involves every component of the movement system (i.e., muscles, joints, discs, nerves, and soft tissue) by stimulating movement control centers in the brain through activation of ideal inborn movement stereotypes. This, in turn, helps restore the structural and postural alignment of the body’s neuro-musculoskeletal system by evoking the global motor patterns. This 4-weekend seminar series is designed to provide a deeper understanding of the movement and neuromuscular approaches in the evaluation and management of musculoskeletal pain syndromes. Functional regional interdependence between the muscular, osteoarticular and central nervous system in the regulation of movement will be a focus of discussion and practice. Upon completion of this entire series, participants will have the option to become certified clinicians after a formal testing process. In order to receive certification, candidates must complete the Kinesio Taping Assessments, Fundamental Concepts and Techniques, and the Advanced Techniques and Clinical Reasoning Approved Seminars, and then must pass the online CKTP Exam with 80% or higher. The letters “CKTP” after a name ensure confidence that the practitioner has undergone the necessary training to integrate Kinesio Taping in to their practice. This 18-hour course will be supplemented with online modules strategically developed to maximize use of the 2-day live portion which will be 90% hands-on. MIT-1 lays down the foundational elements of clinical reasoning, pattern recognition, and motor skill acquisition needed to effectively assess and incorporate spinal manipulation immediately into clinical practice. Participants will have the confidence, knowledge, and ability to effectively identify those that would benefit from manipulative therapy, as well as effectively and safely perform manipulative techniques to all regions of the spine. ATU offers the newest form of advanced recognition for the devoted aquatic therapist: the Aquaticist℠ (Aq) credential. This aquatic therapy certification is awarded to licensed PTs, OTs and assistants only so the world knows you are a genuine clinician. WARNING: becoming an Aquaticist℠ is not for the faint of heart. Our curriculum involves 84-hours of intense coursework and grueling pool-labs. The good news: there are no exams and there are no expensive test fees or annual renewals to pay. Link to ATU Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) is a strength, balance and fitness program for adults 65 and older. Performing exercises that improve strength, balance and fitness are the single most important activity that adults can do to stay active and reduce their chances of falling. The entire curriculum of activities in the SAIL Program can help improve strength and balance, if done regularly. Ayurveda, a natural system of medicine, originated in India more than 3,000 years ago. The term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge). Thus, Ayurveda translates to knowledge of life. or those who are inspired to deepen in their study of Ayurveda, these seminars are phenomenal opportunities to learn directly from Vasant Lad, MASc. Positional release (PRT) interventions modify abnormal reflexes to relax and spontaneously release painful muscle tension, improving flexibility, strength, and function. Upon completion of this home study program, participants will be able to iscuss the theoretical basis and evidence-based research for positional release (PRT), identify trigger points (TPs) and their relationship to neuromuscular tension and pain, and apply specific positioning to reduce the painful sensitivity of TPs, release abnormal neuromuscular tension and improve functional mobility. Link to PRSpinal Cord Injury – Occupational and Physical Therapy Management of SCI: A Functional Treatment Approach
Spinal Cord Injury Seminars ↗
Manual Trigger Point Therapy
Myopain Seminars ↗
Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: Optimizing Outcomes Course
PT Seminars ↗
Muscle Energy and Soft Tissue Techniques for the Upper Quadrant
Therapy Network Seminars ↗
Kettlebells: An Introduction to Kettlebell Training
Therapy Network Seminars ↗
Orthopedic – Cervical Radiculopathy – Concepts in Managing Cervical Radiculopathy Course
PT Seminars ↗
Concussion – Comprehensive Concussion Management in Sports Medicine Course
PT Seminars ↗
Scapular Dysfunction- Functional Assessment and Treatment of Scapular Dysfunction Course
PT Seminars ↗
Visual (Dys)Function in Concussion, TBI, Stroke and Vestibular Diagnoses: Evidence Based Neurological Rehabilitation
Gold Standard Seminars ↗
Balance – Evidenced-based Assessment of Functional Strength and Balance in Geriatric Rehabilitation
Therapy Network Seminars ↗
Integrated Manual Therapist Certification (CIMT)
Great lakes Seminars ↗
Tendon Repairs – Flexor and Extensor Tendon Repairs of the Upper Extremity: Current Concepts in Rehabilitation and Splinting
Gold Standard Seminars ↗
Elbow Injuries – Evidence Based Rehabilitation of Traumatic Elbow Injuries
Gold Standard Seminars ↗
Shoulder Complex – Manual Therapy and Functional Exercise for the Shoulder Complex
Therapy Network Seminars ↗
NeuroVestibular Complex
Therapy Network Seminars ↗
Orthopedic – Cranio Facial Therapy Academy 1
Eureka Seminars ↗
Stroke Rehabilitation Across the Continuum of Care: An Evidence Based Approach
Therapy Network Seminars ↗
FAKTR (Functional and Kinetic Treatment with Rehabilitation)
Southeast Sports Seminars ↗
Golf Fitness Professional Certification
Geriatrics – Functional Standards for Optimal Aging Expert Certification (FSOAE)
GREAT Seminars and Books ↗
Geriatrics – Geriatric Trained and Certified Clinical Specialist (GTCCS)
GREAT Seminars & Books ↗
Geriatrics – Expert in Applied Geriatric Neurology Certification (CEAGN)
GREAT Seminars & Books ↗
NeuroKinetic Therapy™ Certification
Neurokinetic Therapy ↗
Total Motion Release
Total Motion Release Seminars ↗
Janda Approach to Musculoskeletal Pain Syndromes
Movement Links ↗
Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS)
Movement Links ↗
Movement Links Certification
Movement Links ↗
Kinesio Taping® Practitioner Certification (CKTP)
Kinesio University ↗
Spinal Manipulation – MIT-1: Spinal Manipulation Masterclass
Manual Physical Therapy Alliance ↗
Aquatic Therapy – Aquaticist℠ Certification (Aq)
Aquatic Therapy University ↗
Stay Active & Independent for Life (SAIL)
SAIL Seminars ↗
SAIL meets the highest level criteria for an evidence-based program.Complementary Therapy – Ayurveda – Vasant Lad’s Online Ayurveda Webinar Series
The Ayurvedic Institute ↗
Positional Release: Reflex Release For Painful Trigger Points and Muscle Tension
Educise ↗
CE for Therapy presently features multiple providers that offer a wide variety of Physical Therapy Certifications, Methods and Techniques. Here are some brief descriptions of some of our favorites, taken from the Physical Therapy Certifications / Techniques appearing above:
Torticollis: Assessment and Treatment of Infants and Children Online Series, offered by Education Resources, Inc., is instructed by Cindy Miles, PT, PhD, PCS, NDT, a leading expert on torticollis and plagiocephaly, who discusses the increased incidence, etiology, and pathophysiology of this disorder. This course is chock-full of case studies and interactive at-home lab practice opportunities to provide the knowledge of effective assessment and treatment of children with torticollis. Evidence-based treatment strategies that can be integrated into routines and functional play will be provided as well as recommendations for follow-up. At-home labs are offered and can be practiced with a baby-doll or partner.
Swim Whisperers – Overcome Roadblocks for Aquatic Therapy offered by Swim Angelfish. This course dives into identification of the 14 most commonly seen roadblocks for swimmers with special needs. Connection between each roadblock to the underlying problem as a therapist along with learning a strategy to overcome the roadblock will be identified for clinical use. 2 Hour Online Course. Link to Course
3D Movement Analysis and Performance System (3DMAPS®) Certification, offered by the Gray Institute, leverages movements that are authentic to everyday life by utilizing all three planes of motion. This system allows the practitioner to examine, evaluate, and treat patients based on the philosophy that the influence of one part of the body effects another. This 10-hour, 100% online Physical Therapy Certifications course is the perfect complement for physical therapists and other movement professionals.
Advanced Office Ergonomics Assessment Specialist Certification (AOEAS®), offered by The Back School, provides a comprehensive overview of the many causative factors of and solutions for the prevention of office musculoskeletal disorders. Using the OSHA survey tool the D-2, this Physical Therapy Certifications course certifies that you are able to perform an OSHA-compliant ergonomics analysis in multiple types of offices. Participants will learn to identify and resolve the common risk factors in today’s traditional and non-traditional office environments.
Process-Based Specialist in Movement & Pain (PSMP), offered by Dynamic Priniciples LLC, is a 90-credit hour online and live hybrid Physical Therapy Certifications program which can be flexibly completed over the course of 1 to 5 years. This course work is designed to help participants re-conceptualize movement, manual therapy, and pain science clinical understanding and interventions to current standards of science-based evidence, while simultaneously building up communication and behavior modification skills to help clinicians better work with clients and patients who struggle with movement and pain. In this process, clinicians are introduced to a biopsychosocial process-based framework called the Movement with Pain Framework (MWPF) to help them take on uncertainty and complexity with increased comfort. This coursework is combined with a portfolio review to encourage the clinician to incorporate different science-based perspectives from other educators within the domains of Movement, Manual Therapy, Communication, and Behavior. The program finishes with a capstone providing opportunities for both conceptual and experiential integration.
Geriatric Certification, offered by Evidence in Motion, offers PTs and OTs the opportunity to develop expertise in the clinical management of the aging patient population. The evidence‑based curriculum focuses on the development of clinical competencies in the treatment of older adults with functional and cognitive decline with the intention of returning patients to active and healthy lifestyles. Coursework for this Physical Therapy Certifications course consists of a dynamic combination of didactic, collaborative, and clinical education experiences using a blend of distance learning, online courses, and weekend intensive on-site courses.
Applied Functional Science Certification (CAFS®), Link to CAFS offered by the Gray Institute, was developed for movement professionals from all industries and from all levels. The program includes more than 25 hours of video content, testing, and supplemental documents to help you design and implement functional programs based on the needs, wants, and goals of each unique client. CAFS is entirely online and can be completed at your own pace. Once enrolled, the student will have access to the content for a period of three years and can continue to access the content to this Physical Therapy Certifications course even after completion.
Advanced Exercise Therapist Certification (AET) offered by the
Egoscue Institute, Link to EI will further develop your existing skill set. With your 5-year certification, you will be a health professional with a level of proficiency in the Method that very few have achieved. While this Physical Therapy Certifications course hits on a wide variety of topics, the program provides a particular focus on the gross anatomy knowledge needed for many of your therapeutic interactions.Practitioners with the AET Certification are the only students allowed to open an Egoscue Method facility. Link to Egoscue
Functional Manual Therapy Certification (CFMT), offered by the
Institute Of Physical Art, is an intense 4 days of review of 8 required courses, followed by 2 days of written and oral/practical testing. The Following is the required Physical Therapy Certifications course work: Functional Mobilization I, CoreFirst™ Strategies for Back Education and Training, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation I, FMT Foundations, Functional Mobilization II, Functional Mobilization Lower Quadrant, Functional Mobilization Upper Quadrant, and in addition, applicants must Attend Functional Gait.
The Human Movement Specialist (HMS) certification, offered by the Brookbush Institute, acknowledges that you have completed 80 hours (or more) of course work toward a growing expertise in human movement science. All courses are short (1 – 4 hours), you choose the courses you think are important to your current work environment, you get credit for each passed exam, there is no giant final exam at the end, no timelines and it’s all included in membership, with no additional fees. Link to Brookbush
In order to receive the Kinesio Taping® Practitioner Certification (CKTP), offered by Kinesio University, candidates must complete the Kinesio Taping Assessments, Fundamental Concepts and Techniques, and the Advanced Techniques and Clinical Reasoning Approved Seminars, and then must pass the online CKTP Exam with 80% or higher. The letters “CKTP” after a name ensure confidence that the practitioner has undergone the necessary training to integrate Kinesio Taping in to their practice.
More Physical Therapy Certifications and Techniques
Offers Physical Therapy Certifications
WoundEducators.com offers Physical Therapy Certifications. The PT Wound Care Certification Course Online Training Component contains 17 interactive modules that pertain to all areas of wound management and includes digital images, animated activities, and video clips that demonstrate important learning concepts. The Certification Training Kit has a current wound management textbook that reinforces online training, an Interactive CD containing case studies that allow you to apply your wound care knowledge through the diagnosis and treatment of patients, and a Wound Certification Study guide that includes an outline of each module and a note-taking area. The course requires 57 Hours to complete. Link to Cert Course
Constraint-Induced Therapy: Introduction to Modified Constraint-Induced Therapy
Offered by MedBridge. Link to MedBridge Learn the most well-known and intensively studied neurorehabilitative therapy, taught by one of its pioneers! Learn from Dr. Page, who was the first to develop and implement modified, distributed versions of constraint-induced therapy, and to show that this reimbursable outpatient approach changes the brains and movements of patients even decades after brain injury and stroke. In this introductory course, Dr. Page will introduce the rationale, scientific basis, and practical application of modified constraint-induced therapy into your clinic, including applications to the upper and lower extremities and speech.
Introduction to Musculoskeletal Imaging offered by Redefine Health Education
This course is designed for health professionals to enhance their foundational knowledge in diagnostic imaging modalities. The course focuses on a range of modalities including radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography. The course will convey the inherent statistical properties of each modality and how that impacts interpretations and clinical management. The course will instruct on radiologic verbiage to maximize the students’ ability to garner information from an interpretation and for inter-professional communication with radiologists. Students will also be taught a communication strategy with radiologists to improve the interpretation, improve the clinical correlation, and ultimately improve the management of the patient.
More Physical Therapy Certifications and Techniques
CLINICAL AI CHI©- Certification Course offered by Inertia Therapy Services
The basis of Ai Chi is it’s 19 kata’s: continuous movements that form a sequence with gradual increasing difficulty. There is no need to perform all movements. Different protocols exist, consisting of a choice of the 19 movements and/or a different amount of repetitions.
Clinical Ai Chi® is Ai Chi, which is used to solve a patient-specific problem. This mostly means that it is adapted to the possibilities of a person with a musculoskeletal and/or neurological problem. The elements of Clinical Ai Chi® should fit in a custom-made treatment program and be the result of a clinical reasoning process.
Certified Expert in Applied Geriatric Neurology offered by Great Seminars and Books
This 5-hour course is designed to extend and enrich learning in the area of geriatric neurology. Prerequisites: successful completion of (>80% correct on the post-test) of 5 of the following 7 courses:
- Gait & Balance: Not Falling for You
- Seating and Mobility: Choose the Right Path
- Wiihabilitation: You Never Knew Skilled PT Could Be This Fun
- Vestibular Rehabilitation: Does the Thought Make Your Head Spin?
- A Master Clinician Demystifies MS: Steps to Rehab Success for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.
- A Master Clinician Confronts Stroke
- Neuro-Oncological Rehab: Head to Toe
Musculoskeletal (MSK) Soft Tissue Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Certificate offered by Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS)
The MSK Soft Tissue Clinical Certificate is appropriate for medical professionals whose scope of practice requires the evaluation of MSK Soft Tissue to identify Abscess, Muscle Tear, and other common pathologies. POCUS for the evaluation of MSK Soft Tissue is portable, allowing for real-time imaging and on-the-spot interpretation. Point-of-Care Ultrasound can be used by physicians, advanced practice providers (e.g., physician assistants, nurse practitioners, physical therapists), and other medical professionals who use POCUS for clinical evaluation or therapeutic decision making.
Frequently Asked Physical Therapy Certifications Questions:
How many years does it take to become a physical therapist?
Professional (entry-level) and Post-Professional (transitional) physical therapist education programs in the United States currently offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students who enroll. The length of professional DPT programs is typically 3 years, and the curriculum that is offered is prescribed by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The course pre-requisites for admission vary significantly across PT education programs. PT programs may require preprofessional (pre-PT/undergraduate) science courses to be completed in a 4-year university/college within the 7-10 years prior to enrollment.
How do you become a certified physical therapist?
After graduation, Physical Therapists have the opportunity to become Board-certified Clinical Specialists through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). Specialty certification is voluntary, and Physical Therapists can become board-certified specialists in the following areas: Cardiovascular and Pulmonary, Clinical Electrophysiology, Geriatrics, Neurology, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Sports Physical Therapy, and Women’s Health. Two avenues that are associated with significant PT Post Graduate Continuing Competency costs, are Clinical Residency and Clinical Fellowships.
A Clinical Residency is a planned program of post-professional clinical and didactic education for physical therapists that is designed to significantly advance a physical therapist resident’s preparation as a provider of patient care services in a defined area of clinical practice. A Clinical Fellowship is a planned program of post-professional clinical and didactic education for a physical therapist who demonstrates clinical expertise in an area of clinical practice related to the practice focus of the fellowship.
NEW ABPTRFE Policies
During the past year there have been several changes in the policies that the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) has put into place, that has caused some practitioners to be concerned about the basic survival of Residency and Fellowship programs.
ABPTRFE now has the following policies:
- Item 13.4 “Change in Curriculum” – requires a physical site visit for every additional participant practice site after the addition of a second new practice site in one calendar year.
- 4.2.4 Admission Criteria: requiring residency training, or American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) specialist certification– i.e. the elimination of the “Skills Track” as the third path for admission to a fellowship program.
Some practitioners are concerned that these new policies threaten the future of post-professional residency and fellowship programs because they create divisiveness, disruption, and increased administrative burden in these clinical training programs. CE For Therapy will cover this issue on the “Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Programs Face ABPTRFE Mandated Changes” Post
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