Mission
ABPTS' mission is to improve public health by enhancing clinical excellence in physical therapy practice through credentialing clinical specialists.
Responsibilities
ABPTS' responsibilities include the following:
- Development of minimum requirements for certification and recertification to be used across all specialty areas, and approval of specialty-specific requirements developed by specialty councils.
- Approval and recommendation to the APTA House of Delegates of the formation of proposed specialty areas.
- Approval of formation of specialty councils in areas approved by the House of Delegates.
- Approval and overseeing specialty council activities.
- Approval of certification and recertification of qualified candidates for specialist certification.
- Development, implementation, and revision of policies and procedures related to specialist certification and recertification processes.
Purposes
The purposes of APTA's Clinical Specialization Program are to:
- Assist in the identification and development of appropriate areas of specialty practice in physical therapy.
- Promote the highest possible level of care for individuals seeking physical therapy services in each specialty area.
- Promote development of the science and the art underlying each specialty area of practice.
- Provide a reliable and valid method for certification and recertification of individuals who have attained an advanced level of knowledge and skill in each specialty area.
- Assist consumers, the health care community, and others in identifying certified clinical specialists in each specialty area.
- Serve as a resource in specialty practice for APTA, the physical therapy profession, and the health care community.