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The "Description of Specialty Practice" is developed for each specialty area and outline the knowledge, skills, and abilities related to clinical practice in that area. DSP content is based on a detailed practice analysis, which involves extensive research, including survey data and judgments of subject matter experts, of the knowledge, tasks, and roles that describe advanced specialty practice. The specialty panel develops the written exam from the DSP and includes a percentage of questions from each of the major content areas identified in the practice analysis.
Complimentary DSP for ABPTS applicants
A complimentary digital copy of the appropriate DSP is provided to each applicant upon acceptance of the application.
If a candidate would like a downloadable copy in advance of their application, the DSPs are available for sale in the online APTA Store. Note that DSPs are updated from time to time as the requirements for each specialty are reviewed for currency, and during that time a DSP may be unavailable in the APTA store. The Practice Analysis Summary above is provided publicly to ensure access to information regarding the methodology, results, and outcomes of the study without restriction.