APTA Specialist Certification, Governed by ABPTS

10/09/2026

Celebrating the Volunteer Leaders Behind Board Certification

Behind every specialty certification program is a dedicated group of volunteer leaders working to uphold standards, guide policy, and strengthen the future of the profession.
Thank you to the ABPTS Commissioners who recently met at the APTA Centennial Center and online to continue that important work. Your time, expertise, and commitment help ensure that board certification remains a meaningful marker of advanced clinical knowledge and professional excellence.
We appreciate all that you do for the profession and the patients physical therapists serve.


Pictured
Bottom row (kneeling): Ian Hunter (staff), Pam Kikillus (ABPTS), Kevin McAllister (ABPTS), Dave Hutchinson (ABPTS)
Standing: Steve Liaos (ABPTS), Keith Mendenhall (staff), Derek Stepp (staff), Hallie Zeleznik (ABPTS), Nancy Orr (ABPTS), Jeff Rodrigues (ABPTS), Lisa Kenyon (ABPTS), Craig Johnson (APTA BoD), Rick Beato (ABPTS)
Zoom top row: Stacie Dichsen (ABPTS), Cathy Macomber (ABPTS)
Zoom bottom row: Beth DeMarse (ABPTS)

10/06/2026

10/05/2026

Remembering Joseph Black: An APTA Leader

Former APTA senior vice president and honorary member helped guide physical therapy education initiatives for more than a decade.

Read more about the life and legacy of Dr. Joseph Black here: https://www.apta.org/article/2026/09/29/remembering-joseph-black-an-apta-leader

09/11/2026

Registration for Philadelphia is officially open! 🎉

🔗 Register now to save with early-bird rates, and save even more as an APTA member: https://csm.apta.org/?utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=csm_philadelphia&fbclid=IwY2xjawURFeJwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMTByRkNqUVc1RHBCNlRnR0tzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEepWE-0nzdqBqkfq_Sh-K1aR79zoqXtsPteZGITLSC1_J8bqUZl6dwya4Lpfo_aem_ji3do8maKBOU6hnAg4gz8A

See you in Philadelphia for !

09/11/2026

See you in Philadelphia for !

Registration for Philadelphia is officially open! 🎉

APTA Combined Sections Meeting is more than a professional conference, it’s where physical therapy comes together to discover what’s next. 🚀🤝

Connect across specialties, explore new possibilities for your career, and find your people along the way. 🤝

🔗 Register now to save with early-bird rates, and save even more as an APTA member: https://csm.apta.org/?utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=csm_philadelphia

09/09/2026

Take your PT career to the next level:
- Demonstrate advanced clinical expertise
- Earn the distinction of board-certified specialist
- Join a community of recognized experts

Application deadline: September 30

09/04/2026

In observance of Labor Day, our office will be closed on Monday (09/07). Wishing everyone a safe holiday weekend!

08/28/2026

👏 Specialist Spotlight!

ABPTS Board-Certified Clinical Orthopaedic Specialist Vincent Luppino, PT, DPT, OCS, is bringing his expertise to APTA's Pain Science: Skills and Techniques for Advancing Pain Care Master Class.

As an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist at Hospital for Special Surgery, Vincent will be joined by Joe Tatta, PT, DPT and Jen Uschold, PT, to explore advanced pain science concepts, lifestyle medicine considerations, and practical strategies for improving pain care.

We love seeing board-certified specialists leading education opportunities that strengthen clinical practice and improve patient outcomes.

Join the course! --> https://apta_org.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0xMjQ0NzgzMSZwPTEmdT0xMTc0MzU1ODcyJmxpPTEyMzUwMjkzMQ/index.html

08/14/2026

Mark August 18th on your calendar to join us for the next APTA Geriatrics Journal Club on titled: Clinical Practice Guideline for Balance and Falls Prevention 2025.

Register here: https://aptageriatrics.thinkific.com/courses/journal-club-August-2026

08/05/2026

The future of board certification is built on the expertise of practicing clinicians.

This week, ABPTS welcomed the Pelvic and Women’s Health Revalidation Panel for the first phase of an important, multi-step process. Their work helps shape the Description of Specialty Practice (DSP), a foundational resource that informs specialty certification and supports the advancement of specialty practice across the profession.

Through revalidation, volunteer subject matter experts contribute their knowledge and experience to help identify the competencies that define specialty practice today. Their work serves as a critical foundation for maintaining the quality, relevance, and credibility of board certification.

While revalidation happens behind the scenes, its impact is far-reaching. The contributions of these volunteers help ensure that certification remains grounded in contemporary practice and continues to represent excellence in the profession for years to come.

Thank you to these dedicated volunteers for sharing their time, expertise, and commitment to advancing women's and pelvic health physical therapy.