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Specialties

Optional credentials after licensure, quoted from official specialty sources. A specialty title is not a substitute for a license, and it is not required for general practice unless a jurisdiction or employer separately says so.

Quoted from official pages checked November 10, 2026. Confirm current requirements, fees, and dates on those sites. This page is not legal advice and does not guarantee eligibility, certification, or licensure.

Physical therapist specialist certification

The APTA Specialist Certification site, governed by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS), stated as of November 10, 2026 that there are 10 specialized areas recognized by ABPTS, and its become-a-specialist page repeated “10 specialized paths to choose from.” APTA’s Becoming a Physical Therapist page states: “There are currently 10 specialty areas of physical therapy: cardiovascular and pulmonary, clinical electrophysiology, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, orthopaedics, pediatrics, sports, women’s health, and wound management.”

ABPTS lists matching specialty pages for:

APTA states: “PTs are not required to be certified in order to practice in a specific area.” The ABPTS site stated that certification is good for 10 years and that more than 40,000 physical therapists have earned certification since 1985. Confirm current application steps, fees, and deadlines on the official ABPTS pages. This site does not copy fee schedules.

Physical therapist assistant proficiency pathways

APTA’s Becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant page describes APTA’s PTA Advanced Proficiency Pathways program. Content areas listed there are acute care, cardiovascular/pulmonary, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics, and wound management. APTA states the program is voluntary and that PTAs are not required to participate in order to work in a specific area. The dedicated PTA Advanced Proficiency Pathways page lists the same eight specialization areas and states that once achieved, the recognition is good for 10 years. Requirements, mentors, and the enrollment schedule are on PTA Advanced Proficiency Pathways.

Occupational therapy

The national OT and OTA credentials quoted on this site are OTR and COTA through NBCOT. AOTA offers exam-based Board Certification in Gerontology (BCG), Pediatrics (BCP), and Physical Rehabilitation (BCPR). AOTA says the required hours must be earned as an occupational therapist, not as an occupational therapy assistant. AOTA’s eligibility rules, in its own words, are on AOTA Advanced Certification, and its post-professional fellowships are on the AOTA Fellowship Program. Do not treat an association credential as a state license.

Speech-language pathology

ASHA recognizes independent Specialty Certification Boards that award the Board Certified Specialist (BCS) designation to ASHA-certified clinicians. The boards ASHA lists, and how to apply, are on ASHA clinical specialty certification.

How to apply

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