Clinical Competency Certificate

Take your practice to the next level with the APTA Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy Clinical Competency Certificate—the premier program designed exclusively for physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) seeking to deepen their expertise and enhance their clinical skills in aquatic therapy.

This comprehensive, hybrid learning experience blends flexible online education with immersive hands-on training, ensuring that participants develop both the theoretical foundation and practical competencies needed to provide safe, evidence-based patient care in the aquatic environment.

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Why Choose This Program?

✅ The Only APTA-Sponsored Aquatic Therapy Certificate
Provided by the APTA Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy, this is the only certificate program designed specifically for aquatic physical therapy professionals. Unlike other aquatic therapy courses, this exclusive program is tailored to the unique clinical needs and professional practice of PTs and PTAs.

✅ Comprehensive,Online Learning
The program consists of 11 online learning modules through the APTA Aquatics' Education Center, covering key topics such as the physiology of immersion, risk management, billing, and specialty aquatic techniques. These modules lay the foundation for practical application and can be completed at your convenience.

Once participants complete the seven prerequisite modules—including Physics, Physiology, Critical Thinking, Musculoskeletal and Pain, Cardiopulmonary and Lymphatics, Metabolic, Neurological and Cognition, and Specialty Techniques—they are eligible to register for the in-person pool course.

✅ Immersive 2-Day In-Person Training
The final phase of the program is a two-day, hands-on pool course where participants refine their skills in patient handling, treatment planning, and intervention adaptation. This experience focuses on applying learned concepts in real-world scenarios, giving participants the confidence and clinical expertise to excel in aquatic physical therapy.

✅ Demonstrate Clinical Competency
Through a series of written and practical assessments, participants will prove their mastery of aquatic therapy techniques, ensuring they meet the highest standards of patient care. Upon completion, participants receive a Certificate of Clinical Competency, recognizing their specialized training in aquatic physical therapy.

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What You Need to Know

This program is assessment-based and does not confer a credential or board certification recognized by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists (ABPTS). However, participants who successfully complete the entire program will receive a Certificate of Clinical Comptency in Aquatic Physcial Therapy. This certificate can be proudly displayed as a testament to their specialized training and expertise in the field.

🚀Ready to make waves in your career?
Start your journey today!

 

 

CCC Program Structure

There are 11 online learning modules through the Education Center and a 2-day in-person pool course to complete the entire Certificate Program.

💻 eLearning: Online Modules (Self-Paced)
Gain foundational knowledge from industry-leading experts through 11 specialized modules:

• Aquatic Historical Perspectives - David Morris, PT, PhD
• Pool Chemicals and Safety - Richard Vicory, PT, DPT
• Risk Management - Shelly E Muhlenkamp PT, MSPT
• Aquatic Billing and Documentation - Holly Lookabaugh-Deur PT, DSc
• Aquatic Physics* - Lori Thein Brody, PT, ATC, PhD 
• Aquatic Physiology of Immersion* - Marty Biondi, PT, DPT, CSCS 
• Critical Thinking and Aquatic Interventions* - Holly Lookabaugh-Deur, PT, DSc, GCS, Emily Dunlap, PT, PhD
• Intro to Evidence, Musculoskeletal, and Pain* - Emily Dunlap, PT, PhD & Cathy Maloney Hills PT, DPT
• Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Lymphatic Impairments* - Holly Lookabaugh-Deur PT, DSc
• Metabolic, Mental Function, Sensory Integration and Movement-related Impairments* - Emily Dunlap, PT, PhD and Kathleen (Kiki) Dickinson, PT, PAq
• Specialty Techniques* - Emily Dunlap PT, PhD

*Pre-requisite to the 2-day in-person course. These must be completed before one may enroll in the 2-day course.

 🏊 2-Day In-Person Pool Course
Complete your training with an interactive, hands-on experience where you’ll apply the principles learned in the online modules under expert guidance.

The 2-day in-person pool course is the culmination of the APTA Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy Clinical Competency Certificate, bringing your online learning to life through immersive, hands-on training in the water.

This interactive experience is designed to build your confidence and competence in aquatic physical therapy by integrating knowledge from the 11 online modules with real-world application. You’ll develop advanced handling techniques, refine your clinical decision-making, and explore a wide range of treatment approaches using the unique properties of water and specialized pool equipment.

Throughout the course, you’ll work with multiple case studies to fully understand the aquatic therapy continuum—from evaluation to discharge to wellness. Expect to be in the pool for the majority of the course, actively practicing and refining your skills. A final hands-on assessment will ensure you can effectively apply these techniques with confidence.

More information about the 2-day session can be found here.

 

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Have Questions?

📩 Contact us at admin@aquaticpt.org for further inquiries.