Education & Credentials
At Bodycentral Physical Therapy, we require our Physical Therapists to be a Doctor of Physical Therapy and/or a Board Certified Clinical Specialist. What does that really mean?
To be a Physical Therapist in the state of Arizona the basic requirements are:
- A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy
- Passing score on the Physical Therapy Board Exam
Our Physical Therapists must be:
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (7 years of training + Clinical rotations)
- A Board Certified Clinical Specialist
What is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist?
The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialities has been overseeing and certifying Physical Therapists since 1985.
Currently, the ABPTS offers board-certification in eight specialty areas of physical therapy: Cardiovascular and Pulmonary, Clinical Electrophysiology, Geriatrics, Neurology, Oncology, Orthopaedics, Pediatrics, Sports, and Women’s Health.
“The mission of the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties is to advance the profession of physical therapy by establishing, maintaining, and promoting standards of excellence for clinical specialization, and by recognizing the advanced knowledge, skills and experience by physical therapist practitioners through specialist credentialing.” —ABPTS
These Credentials are denoted by letters after the Therapist’s name.
DPT= Doctor of Physical Therapy
OCS= Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist
SCS= Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist
WCS= Board Certified Women’s Health Clinical Specialist
NCS= Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist
Other Credentials you will see:
CHT= Certified Hand Therapist
CSCS= Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
PTA= Physical Therapist Assistant
CPT= Certified Personal Trainer