Physical Therapist Assistants who meet the following minimum requirements are eligible for APTA's Recognition of Advanced Proficiency for the Physical Therapist Assistant.
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Clinical |
Education |
| APTA Membership |
Current APTA member |
Current APTA member |
| Experience |
Five (5) years of work experience that must include a minimum of 2,000 hours total and at least 500 hours in the past year in one of the following categories of advanced proficiency: Musculoskeletal, Pediatric, Geriatric, Neuromuscular, Cardiovascular/Pulmonary, or Integumentary. |
Five (5) years of teaching experience that must include a minimum of 900 total contact hours teaching (average 6 credit hours/semester) and 180 hours in the past year in PTA education. |
| Continuing Education |
Completion of at least 60 contact hours (6 CEUs) of continuing education in physical therapy within the last five (5) years. Continuing education must include a minimum of:
- 6 contact hours (.6 CEUs) per year for the five years prior to application
- 75 % or forty-five (45) hours must be in the selected category of advanced proficiency
- Continuing education must be related to physical therapy and within the scope of work of the PTA as defined by APTA standards, policies, and positions and the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice. Continuing education may include topics that are both clinical and non-clinical.
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Completion of at least 60 contact hours (6 CEUs) of continuing education in physical therapy within the last five (5) years. Continuing education must include a minimum of:
- 6 contact hours (.6 CEUs) per year for the five years prior to application
- 75 % or forty-five (45) hours must be in the selected category of advanced proficiency
- Continuing education must be related to education and may include topics that are internal or external to the profession of physical therapy.
- For purposes of recognition, courses taught do not count as continuing education.
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| Job Performance |
Consistent, above-average job performance within the PT/PTA team verified through a letter of reference from a supervising physical therapist.
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Consistent, above-average job performance teaching in a PTA curriculum verified through a letter of reference from administrative supervisor (eg, department chair, dean). |
| Community Service/Leadership |
Evidence of involvement in at least three activities that demonstrate the applicant’s leadership abilities and contributions to their employer, profession, and/or community. |
Evidence of involvement in at least three activities that demonstrate the applicant’s leadership abilities and contributions to their employer, profession, and/or community. |