Licensed Physical Therapists (PTs). Stay tuned for progress updates on the PTA (Physical Therapist Assistant) Pathway Program.

Only physical therapists who have completed all the required CAPP courses through the Academy may pursue the CAPP certificate. This requirement is in place for the following reasons:

The Academy CAPP reflects completion of specific didactic coursework, successful check-off of essential skills during the course labs, successful passing of a case scenario at the end of each course, and passing of a written test at the completion of each course.

The CAPP course materials are created through a rigorous consensus process by an expert committee.

The Academy is not able to monitor the didactic information, skills instruction, and testing methods provided by other institutions. Hence, the CAPP can only confidently be awarded to those who have completed the process with the Academy.

First, did you complete the skills and written testing for CAPP when you took the Academy Pelvic courses? If you answer “yes,” then you would just need to go back and take the courses through Academy that you have not already taken. For example, let’s say you took Pelvic Floor Level 2 and Pelvic Floor Level 3 through the Academy, and successfully completed the CAPP skills checks/testing during each course, and passed the written test after each course. Then you would just need to go back and take the Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Level 1 course and skills/written testing in order to qualify to pursue the CAPP or complete the Level 1 Bridge course.

If you did NOT complete the skills check or written testing for the CAPP when you took your pelvic courses, you would need to contact the Director of Education (education@aptapelvichealth.org) to determine what you would need to do to meet the requirements. Additionally, you would also take the courses from the Academy that you had not taken yet with successful completion of skills check, scenario testing, and written test as described in the CAPP process.

To complete the CAPP-OB, you must complete all OB courses in ANY order from Academy. These three courses include: Fundamental Topics of Pregnancy & Postpartum Physical Therapy, Advanced Topics of Pregnancy & Postpartum and Considerations and Intrapartum Topics of Obstetric Physical Therapy. All courses must be taken through the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy.

This question comes up frequently in regards to travel. It is strongly recommended that you travel near the course location the day BEFORE the course begins, and that you plan to attend the ENTIRE course to the end. Missing 10% or more of the course time causes both a reduction in CEU hours and disqualification to pursue the CAPP. Missing part of the course for ANY reason does not change this disqualification. Additionally, the required CAPP practical testing occurs on the final day of the course and missing this testing would disqualify one from pursuing the CAPP. Missing this testing also disqualifies one for pursuit of the CAPP.

Upon successfully passing the CAPP-OB or CAPP-Pelvic program, you will receive a certificate of achievement which you will be able to print and frame for your office display or attach the certificate to your resume/CV profile. Your name will be listed in the CAPP recipient directory which you can share on your professional profile (Resume, CV, LinkedIn). You may also include the certificate title in your Resume/CV/LinkedIn under Certificates or Recognition sections. You can place the certificate title only under your name (not after your name like a credential) or under the Certificates or Recognition sections of your professional profile (CV, Resume, LinkedIn).

How you CAN list it:
Joanna Smith, PT, DPT
Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (CAPP-Pelvic)

What NOT to do:
Joanna Smith, PT, DPT, CAPP-Pelvic

Yes, you are still required to participate in CAPP practical testing at each course to obtain the full credit (contact hours/CEUs) for that course.The only difference in working toward the CAPP certification is the additional requirement to successfully complete and pass a CAPP Case Reflection after completing all the courses in the series of the program. Anyone who is uncertain of pursuing the CAPP is strongly encouraged to successfully complete all the steps and testing at each course, as doing so does not add cost while providing valuable, rich learning experiences to the course. If these steps are not successfully completed and you later decide you do want to pursue the CAPP, you may find that you will need to retake a course in order to complete the full requirements for that course. It is much easier and provides a richer learning experience to complete all the requirements along the way.

For OB courses, YES you are able to attend and should be able to participate in the course without restrictions if you are experiencing a healthy pregnancy without complications.

For Pelvic courses YES, but with the following caveats:

– You may only participate in labs if your physician, midwife, or other health care provider who is overseeing your pregnancy provides written consent for you to participate in the internal pelvic (vaginal or rectal, depending on the course) labs. However, for the safety of the pregnancy, the SoWH strongly recommends that pregnant women do not participate in labs and encourages instead to obtain a live model.

– If a pregnant participant prefers, or if her health care provider does not consent to participation in internal labs, then a pregnant or postpartum participant may still attend the course IF she provides a live model to substitute for herself during the labs. If you plan to bring a live model, please declare this here in our Lab Declaration Form so that we can best prepare for you and your model’s arrival at the course.

The CAPP holds value for Physical Therapists/Physiotherapists (PTs) who live or work outside the United States. Here are some highlights:

• The Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy is a member of the International Organization of Physical Therapists in Women’s Health (IOPTWH), thus holding international recognition.
• The Academy is the national professional organization of pelvic health Physical Therapists in the United States, setting the standard for pelvic health physical therapy.
• Participating in the CAPP process provides a richer learning experience, as participants engage more fully to complete the required practical testing, written testing, and written case reflection.
• Several countries are offering the Academy CAPP courses in their country as they see value in the Academy’s certificate course series for reasons highlighted. As such, the CAPP certificates are increasingly recognized internationally.
• If you are already planning to attend the CAPP courses, why not pursue the CAPP? As noted previously in these FAQs, the CAPP can be obtained at no additional cost, and most of the requirements are met just through successful completion of course.