The Initials After Your Physical Therapist's Name

If you have been to a physical therapist for treatment, you may have noticed a few different letters after your therapist's name. What are those initials after your physical therapist's name and what do they mean?

Your physical therapist is a credentialed healthcare professional, and there are certain requirements that he or she needs to do to identify themselves as such. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) requires that physical therapists follow specific guidelines when identifying their credentials. That way, there is no mistake as to the professional credentials of your PT.

Currently, a PT should be identified by their name, their profession (in this case 'PT'), and the highest degree obtained. If your physical therapist has a clinical doctorate degree, they will sign their name, and then write "PT, DPT" after their name. For example, I have a Master's Degree in Physical Therapy, so I should be identified as Brett Sears, PT, MS.

There are other certifications your PT may have, and they may include other letters. According to the APTA, the official order of designation of letters after your PT's name is:

1. PT/PTA
2. Highest earned physical therapy-related degree
3. Other earned academic degree(s)
4. Specialist certification credentials in alphabetical order
5. Other credentials external to APTA
6. Other certification or professional honors (e.g., FAPTA)

I am personally credentialed by the McKenzie Institute, and this would be considered credentials external to the APTA. That makes my official name Brett Sears, PT, MS, Cert. MDT. (Cert. MDT stands for "Certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy.")

Some physical therapists sign their notes and other documents with just their name and then the letters PT to save time, but officially, they should include their highest degree earned and other post-graduate certifications.

Physical Therapy Clinical Specialists

Since 1976, the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) has certified PTs in eight specific clinic areas. Guess what? These clinical specialists have specific letters after their names as well. Clinical specialties and their initials include:

• CCS-Cardiopulmonary Clinical Specialist. These physical therapists are experts in assessing and treating patients with heart and/or lung problems and may work in cardiac rehabilitation centers.
• ECS-Clinical Electro Physiology Specialist. These specialists can conduct electromyographical and nerve conduction studies to help determine the cause of specific muscular and nerve problems.
• GCS-Geriatric Clinical Specialist. These PTs work with older persons and are experts in helping to improve functional mobility in this specific population.
• NCS-Neurologic Clinical Specialist. Neurologic specialists work with patients who have neurological problems such as stroke or Parkinson's disease.
• OCS-Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. Those with the "OCS" are specialists in working with patients with musculoskeletal problems such as back pain, hip pain, or muscular strains.
• PCS-Pediatric Clinical Specialist. These specialists work with young patients with various diagnoses that may limit functional mobility.
• SCS-Sports Clinical Specialist. Sports specialists are experts in the treatment of injuries of athletes. They also work with athletes to help prevent or decrease the risk of injury.
• WCS-Women's Health Clinical Specialist. Physical therapists with the women's health certification are experts in evaluating and treating women with conditions specific to their health. These often include issues like incontinence or genitourinary conditions.

As of June 2019, there are over 27,000 clinical specialists recognized by the ABPTS. To become certified, your PT needs to pass a rigorous examination process. Certification lasts for ten years, and then re-certification is necessary.

Extra Letters After Your Physical Therapist's Name

Some physical therapists earn post-graduate certifications in certain treatment methods or specialties. For example, physical therapists trained in the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy include extra letters after their name. Those certified in the McKenzie Method include "Cert. MDT," while those who have earned the diploma (the highest level of the method) use "Dip. MDT."

Clinical hand therapists may treat people with tendon issues of the hand, fingers, and wrists. They may treat people with carpal tunnel syndrome or after a Colles' fracture. These specialists use the term "CHT" for clinical hand specialist.

Physical therapists also treat patients with swelling due to lymphedema of the upper or lower extremities. They may use the initials "CLT" for certified lymphedema therapist.

If your physical therapist is a certified strength and conditioning specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), they may use the letters "CSCS" after their name. Other therapists may become in using kinesiology taping techniques, and they may use the letters "CKTP" as a certified Kinesio taping practitioner.

The American Physical Therapy Association also recognizes therapists who have helped to progress the mission of the association through his or her lifelong work. The letters "FAPTA" indicate that your PT is a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of the APTA, the highest honor bestowed upon members of the organization.

If You Are Curious About Those Initials, Just Ask

Your relationship with your physical therapist should be a therapeutic alliance, with the both of you working together to help you move better and feel better. This means you may have questions to ask about your treatment. It also means that if you're unsure about the letters after their name, just ask. There are so many different clinical specialties and post-graduate certifications that there is no way to memorize all the designations. So, if you are wondering what those letters after your physical therapist's name mean, just ask.

A Word From Verywell

Engaging in the healthcare system can be confusing with so many different doctors, nurses, and para-professionals working to help you live a healthy life. In the physical therapy world, it can be difficult to know who is who. Having letters after our names helps people identify our roles and our degrees held. By understanding the letters after your PTs name, you can be sure to have a successful rehab experience.