APTA marked a major milestone for the profession during a recognition ceremony at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting, honoring more than 3,500 newly certified and recertified board‑certified clinical specialists — reinforcing the expanding impact of specialization for physical therapy professionals.

Specialist certification, governed by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, or ABPTS, is a voluntary credential that validates advanced clinical knowledge, skills, and experience in one of 10 specialty areas.