PCS (ABPTS) - Pediatric Clinical Specialist

The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialities (ABPTS) offers the Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS) exam, accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC).

Eligibility

To be eligible to take the PCS exam, applicants must meet all the requirements within one of the 2 options:

• Option A: 

  • 2,000 hours of pediatric patient care as a licensed physical therapist within the last 10 years, 500 hours of which occurred in the last 3 years

• Option B:

  • Completed (or scheduled to complete) a APTA-accredited post-professional clinical residency in pediatric physical therapy within the last 10 years

Cost

APTA member

• Application Fee: $525

• Examination Fee: $810

• Reapplication Fee: $180

Non-member

• Application Fee: $870

• Examination Fee: $1,535

• Reapplication Fee: $180

Exam Format

The PCS exam includes 200 questions. It takes 7 hours to complete and is broken into 4 90-minute test blocks. ABPTS requires a minimum scaled score of 500 to pass. Exam topics:

• Knowledge Areas (16%)

  • Foundation Sciences (4%)

  • Clinical Sciences (4%)

  • Behavioral Sciences (3%)

  • Critical Inquiry Principles and Methods (3%)

  • Medical and Surgical Considerations (2%)

• Professional Roles and Responsibilities (16%)

  • Professional Behaviors/Core Values (2%)

  • Leadership (2%)

  • Education (3%)

  • Administration (2%)

  • Consultation (3%)

  • Evidence-Based Practice/Critical Inquiry (4%)

• Patient and Client Management (68%)

  • Examination (20%)

  • Evaluation/Diagnosis/Prognosis (22%)

  • Intervention (20%)

  • Outcomes (6%)

Test Dates

Applicants can register to take the in-person exam during the 3-week exam window in March at their selected PSI Testing Center. 

Test Results

ABPTS emails a score report in June, 3 months after the closing of the exam window.

Online Application

Applicants must submit their application by July 31.

• Create an account or log in to the APTA website

• Click “Begin” next to Pediatrics - Initial Application

• Insert contact hour requirements

• Select the correct application path

• Click “Continue Application”

• Enter payment information

Applicants can also pay by check and mail payment to: APTA, Specialist Certification Application, P.O. Box 75701, Baltimore, MD 21275. They can track their application in the APTA portal.

PCS is valid for 10 years. Renewal applicants can renew by participating in the  maintenance of specialist certification (MOSC) program. Applicants must meet specific requirements and pay renewal fees at year 3, 6, and 9. At year 10, applicants must take an open-book, non-proctored exam to continue certification. 

Year 3, 6, and 9 Requirements:

• Have a current, active license as a physical therapist in the U.S.

• Completed 200 hours of direct pediatric patient care

• Complete 10 MOSC credits

• Complete the reflective portfolio

• Pay the renewal fee

Renewal Fees

• Non-member, 3 installments in years 3, 6 and 9: $400, Total of $1,200

• APTA member, 3 installments in years 3, 6 and 9: $220, Total of $660

Part of the renewal process requires earning 10 MOSC credits in years 3, 6 and 9 for a total of 30 MOSC credits in year 10. 

• Category 1 (maximum 5 MOSC credits over 3 years total)

  • 200 hours of direct pediatric patient care

  • 200 hours of supervision, mentoring, and consultation

  • Professional services

• Category 2

  • CE course

  • Residency or fellowship

  • College or university course

  • Teaching a college or university course

  • Teaching a CE Course

• Category 3

  • Professional presentations

  • Professional writing (authorship/editorship)

  • Research activities

For full information, refer to the MOSC Requirements.

The ABPTS provides several resources to help prepare for the PCS exam, including:

• Candidate Handbook with content outline and sample questions on p. 108

• APTA Fact Sheets and list of resources

• Description of Specialty Practice: Pediatric Physical Therapy manual available for $33.99

• View upcoming pediatric courses and events to prepare for the exam 

The ABPTS also offers the following certifications:

• Board-Certified Women's Health Clinical Specialist (WCS)

• Board-Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS)

• Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS)

• Board-Certified Clinical Electrophysiologic Clinical Specialist (ECS)

• Board-Certified Oncologic Clinical Specialist (Oncology)

• Board-Certified Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Clinical Specialist (CCS)

• Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)

• Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS)

• Board-Certified Wound Management Clinical Specialist (Wound)