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APTA Specialist Certification - Governed by ABPTS

APTA Specialist Certification - Governed by ABPTS

Applicants are required to pay application review and examination fees. The application review fee is nonrefundable.

Upon submission of an application, applicants are granted online access to an electronic copy of  "Description of Specialty Practice" as well as the corresponding Self-Assessment Tool for Physical Therapists within the online application system. 

Discounted Fees for APTA Members

APTA members receive a significant discount on application and exam fees.
Not an APTA member? Explore membership and check out the impact APTA makes with PTs, PTAs, and students.

Payment Assistance for U.S. Army Soldiers

Payment assistance for soldiers seeking to become ABPTS board-certified specialists is available through the ArmyIgnitED program. The program will pay the exam fee for soldiers interested in seeking specialist certification to elevate their practice, become a recognized leader in their profession, and advance their career.

To obtain funding, soldiers must first contact the Specialist Certification department and obtain a price quote. The department can be contacted at 800-999-2782, ext. 8520, or at spec-cert@apta.org.

After a quote has been acquired soldiers must create a Credentialing Assistance (CA) Request and submit the quote for funding to the ArmyIgnitED website for FY26 to sit for the exam. The exam dates are 25.Feb—18.Mar 2026.

Fees and Deadlines

Fees APTA Member Rate Nonmember Rate Deadline
Application

$535

$635 (after July 1)

$880

$980 (after July 1)

July 1 (Early Bird application deadline) for:

  • Cardiovascular & Pulmonary
  • Clinical Electrophysiology
  • Oncology
  • Women's Health
  • Wound Management

Sep. 30 (Final application deadline).
Application

$535

$635 (after July 31)

$880

$980 (after July 31)

July 31 (Early Bird application deadline) for:

  • Geriatric
  • Neurologic
  • Orthopaedic
  • Pediatric
  • Sports

Sep 30. (Final application deadline).
Examination $810 $1,535 Nov. 30 for all specialties

The below informaiton pertains only to initial certification applicants.

Expedited Processing for Early Applicants

As applications are reviewed in order of submission, potential reapplicants are encouraged to apply prior to the deadline to expedite the application review process.

Fees APTA Member Rate Nonmember Rate Deadline
Reapplication review  $180 (in addition to any outstanding balance from previous year's application cycle) $180 (in addition to any outstanding balance from previous year's application cycle)

Aug. 31 for all specialties
Examination $810 $1,535 Nov. 30 for all specialties

For Initial Certification Applicants

An option for an initial partial payment of the application fee also will be available (excluding reapplicants). The application extension and/or partial payment option is automatically extended to all applicants.

Prior approval is not required.

APTA Members

The total amount is broken into three installments of $220 with each MOSC cycle submission, plus a $100 at-cost exam fee in year 10.

Total $760

Submission Deadline: June 30

Nonmembers

The total amount is broken into three installments of $400 with each MOSC cycle submission, plus a $200 exam fee in year 10.

Total $1400

Submission Deadline: June 30

There is a one-time application fee of $100 that is required when submitting the online application.

Submission Deadline: Applications accepted any month of the year, but must be submitted before your current certification expires.

Dates and Deadlines

Cardiovascular & Pulmonary, Clinical Electrophysiology, Oncology, Women's Health, and Wound Management

Geriatrics, Neurology, Orthopaedics, Pediatrics, and Sports

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