Following are resource lists that reflect current literature in advanced physical therapy specialty areas. Lists are provided by APTA sections. Please contact the APTA section in your specialty area for information on the availability of continuing education courses and review courses that cover advanced specialty practice. Not all specialty sections offer review courses. ABPTS and specialty councils do not review or endorse any preparation materials or courses. In addition, reviewing these materials does not guarantee that candidates will receive a passing score on the specialist certification exam.
General Resources
Finding Information in Physical Therapy Literature
Studying for Certification Examinations
Articles of Interest
- "An assortment of learning styles," Chronicle of Higher Education (8 January 2010): A8; published online 15 December 2009.
- Belluck, P. "Take a test to really learn, research suggests," New York Times, January 21, 2011: A14.
- Pashler, Harold; McDaniel, Mark; Rohrer, Doug; & Bjork, Robert (2009), "Learning styles: Concepts and evidence," Psychological Science in the Public Interest 9(3): 105–119.
- Smith LC. The decision to specialize: Accounts of nine board-certified specialists, PT Magazine, 2001: 9(6): 52-59.
Nine specialists share their personal experience and offer encouragement and advice for those who are considering specialist certification, including how to study for the exams.
Helpful Websites
Area Specific Information
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Section
c/o Specialist Certification Program
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-1488
Phone: 800/999-2782, ext 8520
Fax: 703/706-8186
Email: cardiopt@apta.org
Website: http://www.cardiopt.org/
Price: Free
Clinical Electrophysiologic Physical Therapy
Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management
Nichole Walleen, Executive Director
2920 East Avenue South, Ste. 200
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: 608/351-2735
Email: Nichole_acewm@orthopt.org
Website: http://acewm.org/
Geriatric Physical Therapy
Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy
Karen Curran
3510 East Washington Avenue
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: 866/586-8247
Fax: 608/221-9697
Email: karen.curran@geriatricspt.org
Website: www.geriatricspt.org
Neurologic Physical Therapy
Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, Inc.
5841 Cedar Lake Road S. Ste 204
Minneapolis, MN 55416
Phone: 952/ 646-2038
Fax: 952/545-6073
Email: info@neuropt.org
Website: www.neuropt.org
Oncologic Physical Therapy
Oncology Section
Suzie Callan
140B Purcellville Gateway Drive
Suite 120
Purcellville, VA 20132
Phone: 202/660-4460
Email: info@oncologypt.org
Website: www.oncologypt.org
Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
Orthopaedics Section
Terri DeFlorian
2920 East Avenue South, Ste. 200
La Crosse, WI 54601-8282
800/444-3982, ext 2040
Fax: 608/788-3965
Email: tdeflorian@orthopt.org
Website: www.orthopt.org
Pediatric Physical Therapy
Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, Inc.
Cindy Sliwa
1055 N Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-1484
Phone: 800/999-2782 x3254
Fax: 703/706-8575
Email: pediatrics@apta.org
Website: www.pediatricapta.org
PCS Exam Resources document available through the Section's Online Store
Sports Physical Therapy
Sports Section
Mark DeCarlo
P.O. Box 431
Zionsville, IN 46077-0431
Phone: 877/732-5009
Fax: 317/669-8276
Email: mark@decarlopt.com
Website: http://www.spts.org
Sports Section Member Price: Free
Sports Section Nonmembers: $5
Women's Health Physical Therapy
Women's Health Section
Mandi Murtaugh, PT, DPT,
Board-Certified Women's Health Clinical Specialist
Peg Maas, PT,
Board-Certified Women's Health Clinical Specialist
8400 Westpark Drive 2nd Floor
McLean, VA 22102
Phone: 703/610-0224
Fax: 703/610-9005
Email: WCSprep@womenshealthapta.org
Website: https://aptapelvichealth.org/education/wcs/
Women's Health Section Member Price: Free
Women's Health Section Nonmembers: $25