Orthopaedics - New Eligibility Requirements for the 2027 Exam Cycle

See below for current requirements. 
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In 1981 the APTA House of Delegates approved board certification in the area of orthopaedics. The first orthopaedics specialist certification examination was administered in 1989. As of July 2025, ABPTS has certified 24,104 orthopaedics specialists.

Specialist certification in orthopaedic physical therapy is designed for licensed physical therapists who have advanced knowledge, skills, and experience in the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system and its related neurovascular components.

Orthopaedic clinical specialists treat individuals with actual or potential dysfunction of physical capacity and movement. This area of practice requires advanced clinical reasoning, diagnostic skills, and intervention techniques beyond entry-level physical therapy practice. The techniques and methods assist the patient toward optimal function through corrective, adaptive, and prophylactic management of the neuromusculoskeletal system.

The purpose of the Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) certification is to formally recognize physical therapists who demonstrate advanced clinical competence in orthopaedic physical therapy.

Orthopaedic physical therapy is recognized as a distinct area of advanced practice due to the complexity and prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions, the need for specialized clinical decision-making, and the continually evolving evidence base supporting orthopaedic interventions.

Individuals who successfully meet all certification requirements are awarded the credential: Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (OCS).