Applicants must hold a current license to practice physical therapy in the United States or any of its possessions or territories. In addition, applicants are required to pay the application review and examination fee. The minimum eligibility requirements established by ABPTS to sit for the orthopaedic specialist certification exam are as follows:
- Current licensure to practice physical therapy in the United States or any of its possessions or territories.
- Evidence of 2,000 hours of direct patient care in the specialty area within the last 10 years, 25% (500) of which must have occurred within the last 3 years or completion of an APTA credentialed orthopaedic residency program. Direct patient care must include activities in each of the elements of patient/client management applicable to the specialty area and included in the Description of Specialty Practice (DSP). These elements, as defined by the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, are examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention.