Many physical therapists start their careers with a general focus but choose to specialize over time. Specializing helps PTs improve their skills in a particular area, improve patient outcomes, and take on new career opportunities. According to the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), over 40,000 physical therapists have earned board certification through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS).
Specialty certification demonstrates advanced knowledge and clinical skill in a specific area of practice. It can lead to better pay, greater responsibility, and more flexible job options. Many physical therapists pursue certification after building experience in patient care, completing continuing education, or participating in a residency program.
A physical therapy specialty represents an advanced area of clinical practice focusing on a particular patient population, body system, or care context. According to ABPTS standards, board certification validates expertise in the evaluation and management of complex functional impairments unique to specific clinical domains. Physical therapy specialization advances PT skills through several key mechanisms:
The path to specialty certification involves rigorous requirements designed to ensure practitioners possess the advanced knowledge and clinical skills necessary for specialized practice.
All ABPTS specialty certifications require:
The certification process typically spans 2-4 years and includes:
Specialist certification requires ongoing commitment through maintenance of certification (MOC):
The timeline from initial eligibility to certification varies by specialty and individual circumstances. Residency program graduates may qualify for examination sooner, while those following the clinical experience pathway must first accumulate the required hours.
Specializing in physical therapy helps build credibility, improve patient outcomes, and open up more career options. The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS), under the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), certifies physical therapists in different specialty areas. Board certification shows that a physical therapist has advanced knowledge and clinical expertise in a particular area.
Many physical therapists choose to specialize because it helps them treat complex physical conditions more effectively. It also positions them as leaders on the healthcare team. As patient needs grow more specific, hospitals, rehab centers, and home health agencies are actively looking for board-certified specialists.
To earn a specialist certification through the ABPTS, physical therapists must meet the following requirements:
Some specialties also require case reports, project participation, or additional certifications like CPR or ACLS. Continuing education and fellowship programs also support therapists in gaining advanced clinical skills.
Each specialty below is board-certified and supported by the American Physical Therapy Association. These paths represent the most in-demand and clinically relevant career options for physical therapists in 2025.
Specializing leads to more focused roles, typically with higher pay and more stable job opportunities. Physical therapists work in varied settings, including hospitals, outpatient centers, schools, and patients’ homes. They create treatment plans that use therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and assistive devices to help patients manage pain and restore function.
Working in a specialty area means spending more time with specific patient types, using targeted methods, and applying your skills at a higher level. Whether treating patients in acute care or long-term rehab, board-certified specialists help patients recover faster and maintain independence.
Think about the types of patients you want to treat and the work settings you prefer:
| Interest Area | Potential Specialty |
|---|---|
| Working with older adults | Geriatrics |
| Helping young people | Pediatrics |
| Treating athletes | Sports |
| Supporting women’s health | Women’s Health |
| Managing long-term disease | Neurology, Cardiopulmonary, Oncology |
| Post-surgical rehab | Orthopaedics, Wound Management |
| Technology-based treatment | Clinical Electrophysiology |
Specializing in physical therapy gives you a clear path to grow your skills, work with focused patient groups, and increase your impact in the healthcare system. Whether you’re interested in helping young patients as a pediatric clinical specialist, treating older adults through geriatric care, or managing recovery after heart attacks or respiratory diseases, there’s a specialty that fits your strengths and interests. With the support of organizations like the American Physical Therapy Association and career partners like Flagstar Rehab, many physical therapists are building rewarding careers in physical therapy specialties that match their goals and expertise.
At Flagstar Rehab, we support physical therapists looking to grow in their careers. We help candidates connect with jobs that match their skills and specialty training. Whether you are just starting or already board-certified, our team can assist you in finding opportunities in hospitals, outpatient centers, and home health settings.
We also understand the path toward certification. If you’re building your patient care hours or looking for placement after finishing a residency program, we can help you take the next step. Explore open jobs for board-certified specialists and general PT roles at Flagstar Rehab today.
Orthopaedic and sports clinical specialists often have the highest earning potential. These physical therapy specialties are in demand due to the high volume of musculoskeletal and athletic injuries treated in outpatient and sports performance settings.
There are ten board-certified specialties recognized by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, including orthopaedics, neurology, geriatrics, pediatrics, sports, women’s health, oncology, wound management, cardiovascular and pulmonary, and electrophysiologic clinical practice.
The different types of physical therapy refer to the specialty areas PTs can focus on, such as treating athletes, older adults, young people, patients with chronic conditions, or those recovering from surgery. Each area involves different skills, treatment plans, and work settings.
PT schools provide general training to prepare students to practice physical therapy. Specialties like orthopaedics or pediatrics are pursued after graduation through clinical experience, residency programs, or specialist certification offered by the American Physical Therapy Association.