Tips on Recertifying for the WCS

By Carrie Pagliano, PT, DPT, OCS, WCS

To the Women’s Health Clinical Specialist (WCS) Class of 2009, it’s finally time! Thinking of doing your re-certification early? Not sure where to begin with your Professional Development Portfolio or what supporting documents you need?

Here are some quick pointers to get you started in the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties’ (ABPTS) process for Women’s Health re-certification:

1. Start early! If this is your first time going through ABPTS re-certification, it takes a little while to understand the process, gather your supporting documents, and enter your information into the online application. Find the application, deadlines , instructional video, and candidate guide at http://www.abpts.org/Recertification/WomensHealth/
2. Find that perfect patient for your case reflection! Start gathering your data and supporting literature sooner than later. Remember each application by Professional Development Portfolio requires submission of a case reflection. Those requirements and guidelines can be found here: http://www.abpts.org/uploadedFiles/ABPTSorg/Recertification/Womens_Health/RecertRequirements_WomensHealth.pdf.
3. No penalty! If your certification started in 2009, you can apply for re-certification up to three years early without penalty. Your re-certification will be good for 10 years after your original expiration date (for 2009, re-certify this year and be set until 2019).
4. ABPTS is here to help! As the governing body over the re-certification process, ABPTS has all the answers, and it wants to help you through as painlessly as possible. ABPTS has an amazing support team available to answer questions about where to include evidence, how to complete calculations, and what to do with any other questions you might have. ABPTS response turnaround time via email is very quick, too. Email your questions to spec-recert@apta.org

Have more queries? Check out this blog post from SOWH Secretary Amy Pannullo: http://www.womenshealthapta.org/the-buzz-about-recertification-what-you-need-to-know/

NOTE: The “WCS” post-nominal initials (meaning letters behind one´s name) indicate that a physical therapist has proven that he/she has the knowledge, skill, and experience exceeding that of an entry-level physical therapist and unique to the area of women’s health practice. The WCS examination is a comprehensive assessment of all areas described in the Women´s Health Description of Specialty Practice (DSP). Learn more about WCS at www.abpts.org/Certification/WomensHealth:: http://www.womenshealthapta.org/education/specialization-opportunities/#sthash.KyPqngGW.dpuf