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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. Not an APTA member? Explore membership and check out the impact we made with other PTs, PTAs, and students in 2020.
Fees and Deadlines
| Fees | APTA Member Rate | Nonmember Rate | Deadline |
| Application | $525 | $870 |
July 1 for:
|
| Application | $525 | $870 |
Extended to Sept. 30 for:
|
| 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 at-cost, reduced exam fee in year 10.
Total $660
Submission Deadline: Extended to Sept. 30 for 2022
Nonmembers
The total amount is broken into three installments of $400 with each MOSC cycle submission, plus at-cost, reduced exam fee in year 10.
Total $1200
Submission Deadline: Extended to Sept. 30 for 2022
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
-
July 1
Initial Certification Application Deadline -
Aug. 31
Reapplication DeadlineFor candidates who did not sit or pass on first attempt.
-
Extended to Sept. 30 for 2022
MOSC Submission Deadline -
Nov. 30
Initial Certification Exam Fee Deadline -
By Jan. 1
Scheduling Permits IssuedYou will receive your scheduling permit information by email.
-
March 1 - 22
2023 Exam Dates -
By June 30
Exam Results ReleasedNotification of exam results will sent by email (from spec-cert@apta.org) and shortly after to the online portal.
Geriatrics, Neurology, Orthopaedics, Pediatrics, and Sports
-
Extended to Sept. 30
Initial Certification Application DeadlineFor Geriatric, Neurologic, Orthopaedic, Pediatric, and Sports applications.
-
Aug. 31
Reapplication DeadlineFor candidates who did not sit or pass on first exam attempt.
-
Extended to Sept. 30 for 2022
MOSC Submission Deadline -
Nov. 30
Initial Certification Exam Fee Deadline -
By Jan. 1
Scheduling Permits Issued -
March 1 - 22
2023 Exam Test Dates -
By June 30
Exam Results PostedNotification of exam results will sent by email (from spec-cert@apta.org) and shortly after to the online portal.