The specialist certification program was established in 1978 by the American Physical Therapy Association.  The purpose of the program is to identify physical therapists with advanced clinical knowledge and experience.  The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) coordinates and oversees the specialist certification process. 

 

 

The Section on Geriatrics asked members on our listserv why they thought specialization was valuable to them, and to the profession of physical therapy.  You can read their testimonials (link to attached document) here. 

 

• Review the eligibility and application information on the ABPTS website, by visiting www.apta.org and clicking “Professional Development.”
• If you question whether you are ready to take the exam, it may help to take APTA’s Self Assessment Exam (link to APTA Store).  You can also review the GCS Resource List created by the Section on Geriatrics below. 
• Download and complete the exam application from the ABPTS website.  Applications are usually due in July, and applicants get notification about whether their application is accepted in the fall.
• If you are approved to sit for the exam, you will receive a letter in early December with instructions to schedule a time to take the exam at a local testing center, during a two-week period early in the following year (usually Feb/March). 
• Take the exam.  Pass/Fail notification usually arrives early June, and all newly certified specialists will be recognized at the following Combined Sections Meeting (held each year in February).   

The Section on Geriatrics resource list is free to everyone as a public service, but we sincerely hope that everyone considering the GCS exam will join the Section!  You'll get our peer-reviewed journal, The Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, and other benefits of Section Membership .  Also, by supporting us,  you are supporting our mission, "To further our members" ability to advocate and provide best practice physical therapy for optimal aging."

Download the GCS Resource List

 

 

There is an online directory of all certified specialists on APTA's site

 

 

APTA Specialist Certification Department
E-mail: spec-cert@apta.org
Phone: 800/999-2782 ext. 8520

 

 

Click Here for details on Residencies and Fellowships