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The "Description of Specialty Practice" is developed for each specialty area and outlines 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.
Practice Analysis Summary (2022–2025 Revalidation)
The Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Specialist Certification Program conducts periodic practice analyses (revalidation studies) to ensure that examination content reflects current clinical practice. The most recent revalidation study was conducted from 2022 through 2025, with results implemented in the 2026 Description of Specialty Practice (DSP).
Methods
From 2022 to 2023, a Subject Matter Expert (SME) Revalidation Panel and the Orthopaedic Specialty Panel developed a practice analysis survey instrument. A pilot survey was conducted in January–March 2025 to refine the instrument. The final validation survey was administered from June 24 through October 1, 2025, to a national sample of 4,000 practitioners, including board-certified orthopaedic clinical specialists and non-certified practitioners.
Results
A total of 747 individuals engaged with the survey, 498 progressed to content-specific sections, and 287 respondents fully completed the survey. Responses were evaluated by the Subject Matter Expert (SME) Revalidation Panel using established criteria to ensure alignment with current orthopaedic specialty practice.
Outcomes
The practice analysis resulted in a validated set of competencies representing current orthopaedic specialty practice. These competencies were used to develop the 2026 Description of Specialty Practice (DSP) and the examination content outline, ensuring alignment between certification examination content and clinical practice.
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.