Ever wonder what all those letters behind PT mean?

So did we!

As the field of physical therapy evolves, practitioners seek ways to further their knowledge and convey their commitment to learning. Accreditation is crucial in ensuring that certification programs meet rigorous external quality standards, providing credibility and a recognized stamp of approval for both the program and the professional.

As a new graduate, it’s a little hard to keep track of all the letters after your colleagues’ names, much less to figure out how you want to carve out your own path of career growth and specialization.

Not only do different initials represent dramatically different titles and accomplishments, they also span a wide array of professional relevance to your field. Board certification, for example, signifies advanced expertise in specialized areas of physical therapy and is often recognized as a mark of distinction among professionals. Certifications that are easily recognizable to professionals may have patients scratching their heads. Additional credentialing helps you stand out as a leader in your field, but not all initials are equal in the eyes of your future employers. SCS, for example, is very different from CSCS. The certification exam is a critical step in verifying a physical therapist's qualifications and ensuring they meet the standards required for specialized practice.

There are many certifications available in physical therapy, allowing clinicians to specialize in areas such as sports medicine, geriatrics, and manual therapy. When pursuing these certifications, attending a course is essential for developing clinical reasoning and staying current with evidence-based techniques.

Clinicians play a vital role in pursuing advanced certifications to improve patient outcomes and maintain professional relevance. Clinical reasoning is a key component assessed in many certification programs, as it enables therapists to analyze patient data and tailor effective treatment plans.

Before we dive into the list of abbreviations, it’s important to clarify the difference between physical therapist certification and physical therapy certification. Physical therapist certification typically refers to credentials that demonstrate a therapist’s specialized expertise, while physical therapy certification can encompass a broader range of professional qualifications within the field. Both are significant for career advancement and credibility.

This article is simply a list of certification abbreviations and their matching titles. We are hard at work on an eBook that covers more information for each certification, including a cost breakdown, recertification structure, the structure and significance of the certification exam for each credential, and value for new grad.

There’s a lot of confusion over initials, and it’s important to remember that passing an exam is often a key part of the certification process.

Enjoy!

AET - Advanced Exercise Therapist
ART - Active Release Techniques
ATC - Athletic Trainer, Certified
BSPT - Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy
CCI - Certified Clinical Instructor
CCS - Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Certified Specialist ***
CAFS - Certification in Applied Functional Science®
CAPP-OB - Certificate of Achievement in Pregnancy and Postpartum Physical Therapy
CAPP-Pelvic - Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy
CCP - Clinical Certification Program
CCVT/CVT - Certified Clinical Vestibular Therapist/ Clinical Vestibular Therapist
CFC - Cranio-mandibular Head, Neck, and Facial Pain
CEAS I, CEAS II -Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist
CEES - Certified Ergonomic Evaluator Specialist
CFCE - Certified Functional Capacity Evaluator (also FCE: Functional Capacity Evaluator)
CFMT - Certified Functional Manual Therapist
CHT - Certified Hand Therapist
CKTP -Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner
CLT - Certified Lymphedema Therapist (Also known as CLT-LANA)
COMT - Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist
CPT - Certified Personal Trainer
CPT - Certified Pilates Teacher
CREX - Certification in Rehabilitative Exercise
CSCS - Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
CST - Craniosacral Therapist/Therapy, CST-D - Craniosacral Therapy Diplomate
CYI - Certified Yoga Instructor
CYT - Certified Yoga Therapist
CWCA™ -Certified Wound Care Associate
CWCE -Certified Work Capacity Evaluator
CWS® - Certified Wound Specialist
DMT - Doctor of Manual Therapy
DWC® - Diabetic Wound Certified
DPT - Doctor of Physical Therapy
ECS - Clinical Electrophysiologic Certified Specialist ***
FAAOMPT - Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists
FAFS - Fellow of Applied Functional Science®
FCE -Functional Capacity Evaluator: see CFCE (Certified Functional Capacity Evaluator)
FOC - Functional Orthopedic Certification
GCFP - Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practioner
GCS - Geriatric Certified Specialist ***
HHP - Holistic Health Practitioner
JSCC - Jones Strain Counterstrain Certified
LLE® - Lymphedema Lower Extremity Certified
LMP - Licensed Massage Practitioner (see LMT - Licensed Massage Therapist)
LMT - Licensed Massage Therapist
MDT - Diploma in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy®
MLD - Manual Lymph Drainage
MPT/MSPT - Master of Physical Therapy
MTC - Manual Therapy Certified
NCS - Neurologic Certified Specialist ***
NDT - Neuro-developmental Treatment Certified
OCS - Orthopedic Certified Specialist ***
OT/OTR/OTReg/OTR/L - Occupational Therapist/Registered/Licensed
PAS - Postural Alignment Specialist
PCS - Pediatric Certified Specialist ***
PRC/PRT - Postural Restoration Certified/Trained
SCS - Sports Certified Specialist ***
WCC® - Wound Care Certified
WCS - Women’s Certified Specialist ***

The Benefits of Specialization

Specialization in physical therapy brings significant advantages for both practitioners and the patients they serve. By earning certifications in specific areas of practice, physical therapists develop advanced skills and specialized knowledge that translate into better patient outcomes and more effective treatment strategies. This expertise not only boosts a physical therapist’s confidence and job satisfaction but also increases their credibility and appeal to future employers.

Specialized physical therapists often enjoy higher salaries and greater opportunities for career advancement, as their unique skills are in high demand across the healthcare industry. Patients, in turn, benefit from receiving care from practitioners who are experts in their field, whether it’s orthopedic physical therapy, pediatric physical therapy, or another specialty.

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) actively supports specialization by offering a range of certification programs and resources. By pursuing these opportunities, physical therapists can continue to develop their skills, stay current with the latest research, and provide the highest level of care to their patients.

Licensure and Certification: What’s the Difference?

While licensure and certification are both important in the physical therapy profession, they serve different purposes. Licensure is a mandatory process that allows individuals to legally practice physical therapy. To become licensed, physical therapists must graduate from an accredited program and pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE), ensuring they meet the essential standards for safe and effective practice.

Certification, on the other hand, is a voluntary process that demonstrates a physical therapist’s specialized knowledge and advanced skills in a specific area of practice. Offered by organizations like the American Board of Physical Therapy Specializations (ABPTS), certification requires ongoing professional development and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of clinical excellence.

While licensure is essential for entering the profession, certification sets physical therapists apart by highlighting their dedication to continuous learning and specialized expertise. For patients, these credentials provide confidence that their provider is committed to delivering quality care tailored to their individual needs.