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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 |
July 31 for:
|
| Application | $525 | $870 |
Oct. 31 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 | $170 (in addition to any outstanding balance from previous year's application cycle) | $170(in addition to any outstanding balance from previous year's application cycle) |
Aug. 31 for all specialties, excluding sports |
| Reapplication review | $170 (in addition to any outstanding balance from previous year's application cycle) | $170 (in addition to any outstanding balance from previous year's application cycle) |
Oct. 31 for Sports only |
| Examination | $810 | $1,535 | Nov. 30 for all specialties |
APTA Members
Total $650
Submission Deadline: October 31
Nonmembers
Total $910
Submission Deadline: October 31
For Initial Certification and Recertification 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: Sep. 30
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: Sep. 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
-
July 1
Application Deadline -
July 31
Reapplication DeadlineFor candidates who did not pass on first attempt.
-
Nov. 30
Initial Certification Exam Fee Deadline -
By Jan. 1
Scheduling Permits IssuedYou will receive your scheduling permit information by email.
-
Feb. 26-March 12
2022 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
-
July 31
Application DeadlineSports Excluded
-
Aug. 31
Reapplication DeadlineSports Excluded
-
Oct. 31
Sports Application / Reapplication Deadline -
Nov. 30
Initial Certification Exam Fee Deadline -
By Jan. 1
Scheduling Permits Issued -
Feb. 26-March 12
2022 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.