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In 1981 the APTA House of Delegates established the first board certification in the area of cardiopulmonary (now cardiovascular and pulmonary) physical therapy. The first cardiovascular and pulmonary specialist certification examination was administered in 1985. As of June 2023, ABPTS has certified 507 cardiovascular and pulmonary specialists.
Certified Specialization Primer
It takes time and commitment, but the personal and professional rewards that come with achieving board-certified specialist status can last an entire career.
The Process
The road to certification begins with understanding the process, from initial application to examination.
Dates and Deadlines
Initial certification deadlines for all specialities are pretty consistent from year to year.
Application Requirements
Review general application requirements, as well as requirements per practice specialty area.
Review RequirementsFees and Deadlines
Review application and examination fees and deadlines. Spoiler alert - APTA members save big!
Access Fee ScheduleReady?
All candidates are required to review the Examination Candidate Guide prior to submission through the online application portal.
Set . . .
The "Description of Specialty Practice" for each specialty serves as the basis for the specialist certification exams and is a valuable aid in determining your readiness for specialist certification.
Go!
Start your application, check your status with the online application portal. Please allow up to six weeks for the initial application review following online submission.
Application Resources
Examination Resources
The Role of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Specialty Council
ABPTS Specialty Councils develop minimum eligibility requirements for certification and recertification in a specialty area based on ABPTS guidelines, and when required screen applicants for eligibility to sit for exams and for recertification. Specialty Council members are responsible for developing the examination instruments in consultation with the ABPTS testing agency and approved consultants.