How to become an orthopedic physiotherapist

How to become an Orthopedic Physiotherapist

Becoming an orthopedic physiotherapist involves completing formal physiotherapy education, gaining clinical experience, and often pursuing additional training in musculoskeletal care. Here’s the typical pathway:

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree (Pre-Physiotherapy Studies)
In many countries, you’ll need an undergraduate degree in a related field, such as kinesiology, exercise physiology, biology, or health science, to qualify for entry into a physiotherapy program. Some universities offer direct-entry physical therapy degrees that combine undergraduate and professional training.

Regardless of the specific undergrad route selected, coursework should provide foundational knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, biomechanics, and rehabilitation principles.

Complete a Professional Physiotherapy Program
Obtain a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. Programs are comprised of advanced coursework in anatomy, biomechanics, pathology, rehabilitation techniques, and clinical skills, as well as clinical placements in various areas, including orthopedic/musculoskeletal care.

Countries that generally offer a Master of Physiotherapy (MPT) as a professional degree, rather than a Doctor of Physical Therapy, include Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as many countries in Europe.

Obtain Licensure or Registration
You must pass a licensing exam to practise:

• US – National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). The NPTE is only one part of the evaluation process used by licensing authorities to assess your competence. Contact your jurisdiction to find out what additional requirements there are, such as taking a jurisprudence exam which tests your state’s laws and rules.
• Canada – To become licensed as a physiotherapist, all provincial regulatory colleges, except in Quebec, require candidates to first pass the Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE). The written component of the PCE is administered by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR). Graduates of accredited Canadian programs are automatically eligible to write the PCE.
• UK – Register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to be officially licensed to practise and use the protected title ‘physiotherapist.’
• Other countries have their own regulatory bodies.

Gain Clinical Experience
Work in general physiotherapy roles first to build broad skills. Seek placements or employment in orthopedic, sports medicine, or rehabilitation clinics to develop specialty expertise.

Complete a Clinical Residency in Orthopedic Physiotherapy (Optional but Preferred)
A clinical residency in orthopedic physiotherapy is designed for physiotherapists wishing to advance their clinical skills in orthopedics. This year-long residency typically combines clinical mentoring, academic courses, and opportunities for teaching, research, and community service. Upon completion, residents are prepared for the Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) certification examination.

Recognized in the US, the OCS is an American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) credential governed by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). It demonstrates advanced knowledge and skill in orthopedic physical therapy.

Alternatively, in countries that offer a Master of Physiotherapy (MPT) as a professional degree, students may choose to pursue a specialty Master’s Degree in Orthopedic Musculoskeletal-Manipulative Physiotherapy or Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation.

Pursue Additional Certifications
In addition to the OCS certification, there are other advanced credentials that orthopedic physiotherapists can pursue to demonstrate specialized expertise in musculoskeletal care. Among the most prominent are:

• Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) Certification – This certification involves intensive training in manual therapy techniques for the musculoskeletal system, focusing on orthopedic conditions. COMTs have a deeper understanding of diagnosing and treating complex musculoskeletal conditions and a more remarkable ability to provide effective exercise programs for their patients.
• Advanced Manual Therapist (ACOMT) Certification – ACOMT training is a demanding program designed to provide therapists with the advanced skills and knowledge necessary to treat complex musculoskeletal conditions. The certification is recognized as the highest level of manual therapy certification in the United States. Advanced manual therapy techniques can greatly improve patient outcomes, including joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, muscle energy techniques, and myofascial release. Furthermore, ACOMT gives clinicians an advanced understanding of the latest pain science research.
• Dry Needling (DN) Certification – With modern-day advancements, physical therapy has continually progressed, and dry needling (DN) is one of the new specializations making waves in the industry. It has quickly become one of the most sought-after specializations for physical therapists. This technique involves the insertion of thin needles into muscle knots or trigger points to release tension and pain.
• Pelvic Health (PH) Certification – This certification program provides a comprehensive understanding of pelvic floor anatomy, treatment planning, and proper collaboration with healthcare providers. Specialized knowledge and training in pelvic floor anatomy are necessary when diagnosing and treating symptoms of pelvic pain, genital and colorectal conditions, pregnancy, sexual dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and much more. The PH certification provides the latest clinical reasoning and research based on assessment and evidence-based techniques. These can range from bladder retraining, internal pelvic floor muscle evaluation, exercise therapy, and proactive education about lifestyle changes.
• Orthopedic Proficiency (OPC) Certification – OPC is a postgraduate physical therapy certification program offered by Evidence in Motion, a leading provider of evidence-based education for healthcare professionals. The program comprises advanced musculoskeletal evaluation and treatment coursework, including the latest pain neuroscience research and movement science developments.
• AIB-VR (American Institute of Balance – Vestibular Rehabilitation) Certification – This credential is awarded to professionals who have completed AIB's training program in vestibular rehabilitation. Vestibular rehabilitation is an exercise-based therapy program to improve vestibular disorder symptoms and impairments. This technique is useful in helping patients with balance and dizziness problems to improve their level of function and reduce their quality-of-life limitations. One of the ways vestibular rehabilitation achieves this is by helping the patient's brain compensate for changes in the vestibular system, which a variety of conditions, such as head injury, concussion, or degenerative disorders, can cause.

Continue Professional Development
Attend workshops, seminars, and conferences on orthopedic and sports rehabilitation. Keep up with evidence-based practices and evolving treatment techniques.

Professional Organizations
In addition to the certifying bodies referenced above in the Clinical Residency in Orthopedic Physiotherapy and Additional Certifications sections, the following organizations also support the orthopedic physiotherapy community:

• Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) – Orthopaedic Division – Offers advanced practice recognition, professional development, and networking for musculoskeletal physiotherapists
• Association of Trauma and Orthopaedic Chartered Physiotherpaists (ATOCP) – Supports physiotherapists specializing in musculoskeletal and orthopedic care in the UK
• Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) – Musculoskeletal Group – Focuses on professional development, education, and advocacy for orthopedic and musculoskeletal physiotherapists
• International Federation of Manual and Musculoskeletal Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) – A global organization promoting high standards of manual therapy and musculoskeletal physiotherapy