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 June 2017, ABPTS has certified 12,893 orthopaedics specialists.

Initial Certification Deadlines

• July 31: Application Deadline
• August 31: Reapplication Deadline
• November 30: Initial Certification Exam Fee Deadline

Test Dates

March 2 - March 16, 2019: 2019 Exam Dates

Eligibility

• Minimum Eligibility Requirements (.pdf)

Application

• Specialist Certification Application Instructional Video

  It is recommended that first-time specialist certification applicants review this tutorial. This video guides applicants through the process of submitting a professional development portfolio (PDP) through the ABPTS online application.

• Candidate Guide (.pdf)

  Before completing the application process, please read the entire general information and minimum eligibility sections of the candidate guide.

• Online Application

  Please allow up to 6 weeks for the initial application review following online submission.

• ABPTS Examination Deferment

  All certification candidates have the option of deferring their examination to the following year.

Status

• Check Your Application Status

Governance

• Specialty Council

Resources

• Descriptions of Specialty Practice
• Examination Outline: Orthopaedics
• Examination Preparation Materials
• Examination Tutorial
• What Activities Constitute Direct Patient Care?
• Presentation: Enhancing Professional Development Through Certification (.ppt)