Requirements for Starting a Program
- Collectively, the clinical faculty must possess the following qualifications in order to effectively conduct all of the necessary activities of a residency or fellowship program: (1) advanced clinical skills, with at least one faculty member who is ABPTS-certified in the content area; (2) expertise in teaching; and (3) involvement in scholarly and professional activities.
- Clinical supervision of the residents or fellows by the clinical faculty, while they are performing patient care, is critical. Other aspects of the curriculum should include classroom and lab training relevant to specialty or subspecialty area of physical therapy, and clinical practice hours. Other options can include academic courses, study groups, case presentations, clinical research, supervision of staff, and community service. Many credentialed programs partner with nearby physical therapist professional education programs that provide academic expertise and assist with classroom and laboratory teaching.
- The prospective program must provide evidence that the residency or fellowship program and its institution meet specified requirements with regard to organization, resources, curriculum, and performance measures, all of which are necessary to conduct a residency or fellowship. Such evidence is evaluated through: (1) a review of the application materials, and (2) an on-site visit. The application packet and a helpful Application Resource Manual are available on line. The application packet contains the policies and procedures related to the credentialing process, the application fee information, the application and forms, and description of evidence requirements.
- The residency or fellowship program should be consistent with the program's overall mission and philosophy and should include activities that promote residents' or fellows' continued integration of practice, research, and scholarly inquiry into their personal career objectives.
Recredentialing
The recredentialing process will evaluate the program's continuing ability to meet all requirements for credentialing. The first recredentialing period is five (5) years from the date of initial credentialing. A credentialed program seeking to maintain the credentialed status without interruption must submit an application and application fee at least six (6) to eight (8) months prior to the expiration of the credential. If a recredentialing application and fee is not received by the end of the credential period, the credential will be withdrawn. The process for re-credentialing is the same as that for the initial credentialing process, including a site visit with the program being responsible for the costs incurred. When the Board grants the program recredentialed status, the credential will begin on the last day of the month in which the Board approves the program, and is granted for a period of five (5) to ten (10) years.
Fees
Application Fee: A non-refundable application fee must accompany each application (initial or re-credential). The fee schedule for credentialing of residency and fellowship programs is determined by the number of residents/fellows enrolled. The written application is not distributed to the reviewers until the application fee has been paid. Programs that exceed the one year application time frame will be required to pay an additional application fee equal to one half of the original application fee.
Site Visit Fees: The program agrees to reimburse APTA for the direct expenses of travel, lodging, and meals for a team of two on-site visitors for a one-day visit for a single site (approximately $1000 to $2500). Programs with multiple clinical and/or educational sites may require two day visits, depending upon the number of sites and the distance between them. The Board and site visitors will make every effort to minimize the expenses associated with travel.
Annual Fee: Each credentialed program will submit an annual fee on or before March 1. The annual fee is based on the number of graduates reported in the program's previous year's annual report, or credentialing application, whichever is applicable. If no graduates are reported on the program's previous year's annual report or credentialing application, the program will pay the 1 to 5 resident/fellow fee schedule. Annual fees not received by March 1 will receive a written notice of delinquency and will be assessed an additional 10% of the annual fee. If the annual fee has not been received by May 1, the program's credentials will be suspended. The program at this time will be sent a letter through certified mail notifying them of their suspended credentialed status. The program will be given 30 days from the date of receiving this letter to pay the annual fee. If the program's annual fee is not received by that time, their credentials will be withdrawn. A program does not pay an annual fee in the year that they re-credential.
Recredentialing Fee: The recredentialing fee will be due with the recredentialing application on or before the expiration date of the program's credentials. The fee is based on the number of graduated residents or fellows reported by the program in the previous year's annual report. If a recredentialing application and fee is not received by the end of the credential period, the credential will be withdrawn. A program does not pay an annual fee in the year that they recredential.
| |
Application Fee |
Annual Fee |
Recredentialing Fee |
| No Residents/Fellows |
2012/2013 |
2014/2015 |
2012/2013 |
2014/2015 |
2012/2013 |
2014/2015 |
| 1-5 Residents/Fellows |
$1725 |
$1845.75 |
$862.50 |
$922.88 |
$1725 |
$1845.75 |
| 6-10 Residents/Fellows |
$2300 |
$2461 |
$1150 |
$1230.50 |
$2300 |
$2461 |
| 11+ Residents/Fellows |
$2875 |
$3076.25 |
$1427.50 |
$12.50 |
$2875 |
$3076.25 |
Grant Funding: The following APTA Sections offer grant funding for residency credentialing fees (Geriatrics, Neurology, Orthopaedic, Pediatrics, Sports, Women's Health). Please visit the Section's Web site for information regarding the amount of grant funding and application requirements.
Get Started
Download the most current application and application resource manual.
Tips
Additional Resources
Role of Residency Training in Contemporary Practice (.pdf)
As the physical therapy profession continues to mature and evolve, postgraduate training and education of therapists is becoming even more important. Direct access can be achieved only if we are able to demonstrate that our training and expertise enable us to be a "point of entry" into the health care system. Hence, we can expect to become practitioners of choice only if we are prepared educationally for this challenge.
Contact APTA
For additional information, questions, or to obtain consultation through the Program Services Council, please contact APTA's Department of Residency/Fellowship & Specialist Certification at 800/999-APTA, ext 3152.