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 2019, ABPTS has certified 15,596 orthopaedics specialists.

Initial Certification Deadlines

•  October 1: Reapplication Deadline
•  October 31: Application Deadline
  Please note: Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the application and payment deadlines have been extended by three months, automatically, without prior approval. Applications are reviewed in order of submission; potential applicants are encouraged to apply prior to the deadline to expedite the review process. An option for an initial partial payment of the application fee will also be available (excluding reapplicants).
• December 28: Initial Certification Exam Fee Deadline
• Scheduling Permits will be issued in late December

Test Dates

February 27 - March 13, 2021: 2021 Exam Dates

Eligibility

• Minimum Eligibility Requirements/Program Fees (.pdf)

Application

• Candidate Guide (.pdf)

  All candidates are required to review the 2021 examination candidate guide prior to submission through the online application portal (portal link below).

• 2021 Online Application

  The 2021 exam online application portal is now open. 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)