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.

Physical Therapy Certifications and Techniques

Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: Optimizing Outcomes Course

PT Seminars ↗

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

Geriatrics – Massage – Promote Functional Mobility with Massage and Manual Therapy for Geriatrics

HomeCEU ↗

Therapeutic massage is an essential component of a treatment plan for seniors, with proven efficacy in the evidence-based literature for improving functional outcomes.
Intervention approaches for specific problems of the elderly (such as circulatory deficits, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis, dementia, balance issues, and chronic pain) are discussed in this Online Course. Evidence reveals how therapeutic massage may be readily implemented as part of a treatment program to achieve better functional outcomes in elderly patients.

Pain Practitioner Certification (CPP)

MPS Therapy Education ↗

Certified Pain Practitioner (CPP) was developed to equip the practitioner with the skills and knowledge necessary to treat any pain condition and produce significant functional outcomes. The learning is accomplished through class study, case reflections, written projects and through the candidate’s own practical experiences of MPS protocols and principles. Courses required to be awarded certification include Introduction to MPS Pain Therapy, Scar Release Certification, and Integrative Circuits I. Link to Certification

Cupping Therapy Intro: Home Study

Educise ↗

Myofascial Cupping therapy is a centuries-old method for managing medical conditions, based on traditional Asian medicine. that can be used to release scar tissue and fascial adhesions, manage trigger points, improve circulation and relieve pain. In this introductory intensive, hands-on course, you will experience the benefits of cupping techniques with clinical tips on how to utilize specialized manual therapy tools to improve functional outcomes with measurable results. Link to Cupping

Fascial Distortion Model (FDM)

FDM Academy ↗

The Fascial Distortion Model (FDM) is a model of assessment and treatment that speeds up the process of helping patients move better with less pain. It teaches the practitioner to read the patients' subtle, and often subconscious hand gestures they use when they describe their symptoms. There are 6 patterns of gestures described in FDM that correspond to different manual techniques. The gestures seem to be the same no matter what language the patient speaks or what culture they're brought up in. FDM uses old techniques, but likely in a different order or a different expected outcome, as well as using and even predicting new techniques that would be immediately helpful. FDM is taught to many healthcare providers, and has been brought to the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and is used by many professional sports teams.

NDT – Baby Treatment: Contemporary and Evidence-Based Intervention

Education Resources Inc ↗

Contemporary NDT has undergone a paradigm shift that promotes thinking and doing in a new way! This Live Webinar course specifically helps therapists provide evidence-based early intervention in order to impact a baby and family’s life. Find out how and why this age is the time to emphasize prevention to maximize outcomes for gross motor, fine motor and respiration.

Nutrition: An Intervention for Frailty, Deconditioning, and Recovery

Relias Academy ↗

Access to appropriate nutrition is critical for any patient to achieve optimal outcomes. This is even more important for older adults who are frail, deconditioned, or recovering from illness or surgery. This module describes the changes in nutritional needs that occur with aging and current nutrition guidelines for these high-risk populations. Learners will gain an understanding of the nutritional requirements necessary to promote health and wellness across the continuum of care, how to screen for malnutrition and connect patients to appropriate resources, and how to educate patients and caregivers on the important role nutrition plays in healing.

Myofascial Release Clinical Apps: Home Study

Educise ↗

Understand the basics of how to apply MFR to improve mobility, circulation, and posture, and decrease pain using this gentle manual therapy to achieve improved functional outcomes.

Orthopedic Manual Therapy Certification (COMT)

Institute of Advanced Musculoskeletal Treatments ↗

IAMT has developed a unique curriculum of manual therapy courses specifically designed to provide clinicians with a solid foundation in both examination and treatment
The certification program consists of 8 manual therapy courses and upon completion candidates will be eligible to sit for IAMT’s COMT exam.
A variety of manual therapy and exercise interventions are taught by expert clinicians throughout the curriculum with a strong emphasis on patient outcomes and function achieved through constant assessment

Therapeutic Pain Specialist Certification (TPS)

Evidence In Motion ↗

EIM’s Therapeutic Pain Specialist (TPS) Certification for health care providers is brought to you in partnership with Purdue University. TPS is an interdisciplinary pain certification, open to various health care providers, including physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapist assistants, medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists and others. The six-month certification is designed for working professionals who want to advance their career and improve patient outcomes, but who need flexibility to work around their professional and personal responsibilities.

ICU Rehabilitation Care

Motivations Inc. ↗

Treating in the ICU can be quite intimidating, especially to the novice and even sometimes the experienced physical therapist. Medically complex patients challenge therapists to use high level clinical decision making skills to ensure optimal patient treatment while maintaining patient safety. This webinar will provide therapists with an overview of examination and treatment tools that can be used to optimize patient outcomes while maintaining safety and efficiency in a highly complex medical environment.

Dual-Task Treatment Programs

Mobility Research Institute of Continuing Education ↗

This online course describes the different components and features of computerized Dual-task assessment, and addresses treatment programs blending balance-gait, gaze, and cognitive exercise/activities, along with use of outcome tools. The course is aimed at the aging population and patients with neurological impairments, but is applicable for younger clients as well. Link to Course

Neurodegenerative Impairments: Assessment and Treatment Strategies – LIVE WEBINAR

Education Resources, Inc. ↗

Learn practical management strategies to improve outcomes for patients with neurodegenerative disorders. Improve your understanding and management of muscle tone, kinetic disorders and ataxia from diagnosis through late-stage. Case studies with videos will be used to develop assessment and treatment plans with strategies to address both motor and non-motor impairments including decreased attention, difficulty multitasking, and behavioral barriers. Presenter is Robert Hand, DPT, NCS, PT.

Activator® Course

Activator® Course ↗

Learn about the evidence-based, globally recognized ACTIVATOR® Program - prescribed as best practice for rehabilitation programs across Canada & abroad to improve outcomes in posture, balance, pain management, and gait. Discover how Activator Poles can be an better alternative to other passive assistive devices, such as canes, walkers, and crutches.
A pair of Activator Poles and Boot Tips are included in the price of enrollment.

de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

Biologix Solutions LLC ↗

The purpose of this course is to review the current literature on deQuervain’s tendonitis with emphasis on specific interventions using appropriate outcome measures. This course focuses on the
prevalence, incidence, histopathology, causes, risk factors, diagnosis, evaluations and appropriate
treatment / therapeutic interventions for patients with de Quervain’s tenosynovitis.

Concussion – CCMI Clinic Certification Program

Complete Concussion Management Inc ↗

The Complete Concussion Management (CCMI) program provides partnered clinics with everything needed to implement an effective, evidence-based concussion management program.

Through practitioner education, continuous research updates, state-of-the-art Concussion Testing and Management Software, access to marketing resources and technology tools, the CCMI program has been proven to help our Certified Clinics and Clinicians improve patient outcomes and stay at the forefront of concussion management, treatment, and rehabilitation.
Link to Course

Praxis – Issues in Practice: The Clumsy Child

Education Resources Inc. ↗

This Live Webinar course will provide practical and effective intervention strategies for these children. Underlying etiologies of clumsiness (developmental coordination disorders) as well as newer concepts of motor control and motor development will be discussed in relationship to other neurophysiologic concepts. This course will discuss evaluation tools to isolate the roots of the problem and treatment techniques and suggestions for the classroom utilizing an integrated approach. Functional outcomes and clinical effectiveness will be emphasized.

Malnutrition – Identification and Management of Malnutrition in Older Adults

Home CEU ↗

This course will identify the multiple nutritional risks of older adults and will empower dietitians and their interprofessional team members with tools to identify and address clinical outcomes associated with malnutrition. A special focus will be added for elders who are at greater risk due to the increased challenges of co-morbidities with the resulting highest rates of malnutrition.

Interactive Metronome Certification

Interactive Metronome ↗

Join Interactive Metronome University for this stimulating virtual workshop that includes an in-depth discussion of the evidence and rationale for use of IM as it relates to students and patients encountered in academic and therapy settings. Participants will brainstorm and interact with the instructor and each other as they learn to implement the Interactive Metronome through direct, hands-on training. The instructor will provide tips and best practices that have been shown to facilitate outcomes.

Completion of this course leads to full Interactive Metronome Certification and ASHA/AOTA/PT CEUs/contact hours in select states (pending successful completion of a written exam).

Pharmacology Fundamentals for Therapists

Education Resources, Inc. ↗

The live webinar course will examine Rx and non-Rx medicine used in the therapy setting and will cover adverse effects that influence treatment and outcomes. Information will focus on drug actions and patient errors when treating pain, as well as common disorders of the musculoskeletal, neurologic, cardiorespiratory, and endocrine systems. Common OTC drugs and herbals are examined for occult hazards and drug interactions. Unique responses of gender and special populations will be emphasized. Electronic resources for free drug-related information will be demonstrated.

Cognitive Intervention – Functional Cognitive Intervention and Acute Care: From ICU to Acute Rehab

Education Resources, Inc. ↗

This Live Webinar course will provide therapists with assessment and intervention strategies to promote optimal functional cognitive recovery and outcomes in the ICU and acute care setting. Emerging evidence suggests that early cognitive intervention in acute care significantly reduces delirium incidence and duration as well as the adverse effects of surviving critical illness. This course will provide knowledge and tools for assessing, monitoring or improving key cognitive abilities in critically ill and acute care patients.

Traumatic Brain Injury : Tools and Strategies to Promote Recovery for the Moderately-Severely Challenged – Live Webinar and Online Courses

Education Resources, Inc. ↗

This course will provide a framework and utilize video-based cases to provide optimal evaluation, assessment, and treatment strategies for individuals with moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries. Best practices and the integration of existing evidence into clinical reasoning, along with strategies for reflection to drive professional growth, will be emphasized. This will facilitate efficient and effective decision-making by the clinician to optimize outcomes for individuals with moderate to severe TBI.

Temporomandibular Disorders – Modern Manual Therapy: The Eclectic Approach to Temporomandibular Management

Modern Manual Therapy: The Eclectic Approach ↗

In this in-depth, 22-module course, Dr. E shows you step by step how to use his Clinical Practice Patterns and the Eval, Reset, Stabilize System to enhance your assessment, treatment, clinical reasoning and most importantly, supercharge your outcomes for the cervical and thoracic spines, TMJ, and headaches.

Nutrition – The Eclectic Approach to Modern Nutritional Rehab Online Certificate Seminar Series

Modern Manual Therapy: The Eclectic Approach ↗

Are you interested in learning more about nutrition? Help guide your patients to making good, healthy choices that will improve their quality of life and PT outcomes. Therer 3 online courses will cover the basics, assessment and prescription, and speciality areas of PT practice. Complete all 3 and earn your Certification in Nutritional Physical Therapy (CNPT)..

ICU and Acute Care Update-LIVE WEBINAR

Education Resources, Inc. ↗

This course is designed to inspire clinicians to promote best practices in the ICU that increase functional outcomes for patients by using functional treatments. Numerous treatment options and ideas will be discussed from transfers to ambulation and positioning to exercises. Lab values, medications, mechanical ventilation, assistive devices, and evidence-based research will be discussed. Instructor is Chris L. Wells, PT, Ph.D., CCS, ATC.

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

LYFE Botanicals
10 Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric Curcumin Supplements. More Info

Check out our Physical Therapy Credentials page!