Internationally Recognized Certifications After Physiotherapy (BPT).

In my last blog post, we discussed what to consider when selecting workshops after physiotherapy. In this article today let’s take a closer look at some of the internationally recognized certifications after physiotherapy that can be done from India. As we discussed in a previous blog post, these certifications are often expensive and take months to a couple of years to complete. Hence it is crucial to make sure that pursuing internationally recognized certifications after physiotherapy aligns well with your long-term career goals and vision. 

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, CSCS

Offered by: National Strength and conditioning academy, NSCA

Specialization: Sports physiotherapy, MSK physiotherapy, Athletic training

Why CSCS: 

Certified strength and conditioning specialists are the professionals who work with athletes with the goal of improving athlete’s performance. They conduct sport-specific testing sessions, design and implement safe and effective strength training and conditioning programs and provide guidance regarding nutrition and injury prevention. 

This certification holds value especially if you are pursuing a career in sports physiotherapy. However, many MSK physiotherapists implement strength and conditioning principles to treat everyday conditions such as low back pain and arthritis. 

Prerequisites: 

• Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or higher
• You will need to submit a photocopy of the final transcript (Sealed) and degree certificate at the time of enrollment. 
• Current CPR/ AED certificate 

Cost: 

Exam fee ($340 for NSCA members and $475 for non-members)

Exam preparation: 

• Once you are finished studying and ready to take the test, you can register for the test online. 
• The CSCS exam has 2 sections, Scientific foundations and practical/applied. 
• Check out different resources listed on the NSCA website to prepare for the exam. NSCA India also offers a 4 months strength and conditioning course to better prepare for the CSCS exam. 

Duration: 

Based on the NSCA website, it takes about 3-6 months to prepare for the exam. You can register for the test once you are ready. 

Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy Certification (MDT certification)

Offered by: The Mckenzie Institute, India

Specialization: MSK physiotherapy

Why MDT: 

MDT is a systematic approach to examination and evaluation for patient management that applies to acute, subacute, and chronic conditions of the spine and the extremities, and it provides the foundation to direct appropriate treatment options emphasizing patient empowerment and self-treatment. MDT approach involves 3 steps: 

• Step 1: Active examination
• Step 2: Dynamic Diagnosis
• Step 3: Reliable Intervention
• Prevention is the ultimate goal and patient education is a chief component of MDT.

Prerequisites: 

• Courses consist of 4 parts (Part A to D). 
• To take courses, a person should be a qualified physiotherapist. 
• Candidates must pass the Institute’s written and practical examination after taking courses. 
• A physiotherapist cannot publicize as a Mckenzie Therapist unless they have completed the MDT certification process and attained a pass in the credentialing examination. 

Cost: 

After June 30th:

• Part A: 32,500
• Part B: 32,500
• Part C: 37,500
• Part D: 40,000
• Exam fees: 27,500

Exam preparation: 

• Reading and reviewing course manual and notes
• Reviewing MDT procedural videos
• Attending advanced courses

Duration: 

It takes anywhere between 1 to 2 years to take all the courses and complete the exam.

Neurodevelopmental technique certification (NDT certification)

Offered by: Neurodevelopmental Technique Association

Specialization: Neuro physiotherapy. NDTA offers 2 different certifications for pediatric and adult neuro physiotherapy.

Why NDT: 

NDT is a holistic and interdisciplinary clinical practice model informed by current and evolving research. NDT emphasizes individualized therapeutic handling based on moment analysis for the rehabilitation of individuals with neurological dysfunction.

Requirements: 

• Completion of adult or pediatric NDTA course.
• Successfully passing the final exam. 

Cost: 

The Pediatric NDT certification course cost is 3 lakhs Rs as of now. Additional application fees may be required. Please refer to NDTA’s official website for more details. 

Duration: 

The pediatric NDT course is spread over a period of 6 weeks. 

Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification (PRPC) 

Offered by: Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute

Specialization: Women’s health physical therapy, pelvic floor physical therapy

Why PRPC: 

This certification is awarded to those therapists who successfully apply to sit for the exam and receive a passing score on the computer-administered multiple-choice examination. Clinicians who earn this certification can distinguish themselves as an expert in the field of pelvic rehabilitation.

Prerequisites: 

• Provide documentation of 2,000 documented hours of clinical experience with pelvic therapy patients over the past 8 years, with 500 of those hours of direct patient care taking place in the past 2 years. 
• Should be a Licensed physical therapist. Those who don’t have a license may request to apply for the exam and will be evaluated on a case by case basis. 
• You are not required to take any courses for this certification. As long as you qualify to sit for the exam and pass the exam, you will receive certification
• If you want to sit for the PRPC examination and aren’t a resident of the United States, you are still encouraged to apply. International applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. There are Kryterion testing centers in most countries around the world, including India.

Cost: 

• If you attend one or more courses from Herman and Wallace: $1200
• If you don’t attend any Herman and Wallace courses: $2250

Exam preparation: 

• Herman & Wallace does offer many courses and resources that can help you to prepare for the certification exam. 
• Those who apply to sit for the exam and whose applications are accepted will be sent the following study materials:
  • A copy of the official Test Blueprint.
  • A summary of the results of the Job Task Analysis Survey, which includes a breakdown of the percentage of questions covering each topic area

Duration: 

The exam is offered twice a year. The application process and exam preparation can take a few months or more. 

Please be sure to check the official websites of the above organizations for the most accurate and updated information. 

Obtaining internationally recognized certifications after physiotherapy is a strategic step. By carefully selecting certifications that resonate with your career aspirations and vision, you can carve a unique path in the field, whether it’s specializing in a specific area, gaining a broader skill set, or exploring innovative approaches to patient care.