NCS (ABPTS) - Neurologic Clinical Specialist

The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialities (ABPTS) offers the Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS) exam, accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC).

The Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS) certification validates the knowledge and skills of physical therapists providing care to patients with neurologic dysfunction. The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialities (ABPTS) offers the NCS exam, accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC).

Eligibility

To be eligible to take the NCS exam, applicants must meet all the requirements within one of the 2 options:

• Option A: 

  • 2,000 hours of neurological patient care as a licensed physical therapist within the last 10 years, 500 hours of which occurred in the last 3 years

• Option B:

  • Completed (or scheduled to complete) an APTA-accredited post-professional clinical residency in neurological physical therapy within the last 10 years

Cost

APTA member

• Application Fee: $525

• Examination Fee: $810

• Reapplication Fee: $180

Non-member

• Application Fee: $870

• Examination Fee: $1,535

• Reapplication Fee: $180

Exam Format

The NCS exam includes 200 questions. It takes 7 hours to complete and is broken into 4 90-minute test blocks. ABPTS requires a minimum scaled score of 500 to pass. Exam topics:

• Knowledge Areas (20%)

  • Foundation Sciences 

  • Clinical Sciences

  • Behavioral Sciences

  • Clinical Reasoning and Critical Inquiry 

• Professional Roles and Responsibilities (15%)

  • Communication 

  • Education

  • Consultation

  • Evidence-Based Practice

  • Prevention, Wellness, and Health Promotion

  • Social Responsibility

  • Leadership

  • Professional Development

• Patient and Client Management Model (65%)

  • Patient and Client Examination (30%)

    • History and Systems Review

    • Examination Procedures

    • Evaluation/Diagnosis/Prognosis

  • Intervention (30%)

    • Clinical Decision-Making Regarding Plan of Care

    • Coordination, Communication, and Documentation

    • Patient and Client-Related Instruction

    • Procedural interventions

  • Outcomes (5%)

Test Dates

Applicants can register to take the in-person exam during the 3-week exam window in March at their selected PSI Testing Center. 

Test Results

ABPTS emails a score report in June, 3 months after the closing of the exam window. 

Online Application

Applicants must submit their application by July 31st.

• Create an account or log in to the APTA website

• Click “Begin” next to Neurology - Initial Application

• Insert contact hour requirements

• Select the correct application path

• Click “Continue Application”

• Enter payment information

Applicants can also pay by check and mail payment to: APTA, Specialist Certification Application, P.O. Box 75701, Baltimore, MD 21275. They can track their application in the APTA portal.

NCS is valid for 10 years. Renewal applicants can renew by participating in the  maintenance of specialist certification (MOSC) program. Applicants must meet specific requirements and pay renewal fees at year 3, 6 and 9. At year 10, applicants must take an open-book, non-proctored exam to continue certification. 

Year 3, 6 and 9 Requirements:

• Have a current, active license as a physical therapist in the U.S.

• Completed 200 hours of direct neurological patient care

• Complete 10 MOSC credits

• Complete the reflective portfolio

• Pay the renewal fee

Renewal Fees

• Non-member, 3 installments in years 3, 6 and 9: $400, Total of $1,200

• APTA member, 3 installments in years 3, 6 and 9: $220, Total of $660

Part of the renewal process requires earning 10 MOSC credits in years 3, 6 and 9 for a total of 30 MOSC credits in year 10. 

• Category 1 (maximum 5 MOSC credits over 3 years total)

  • 200 hours of direct neurological patient care

  • 200 hours of supervision, mentoring, and consultation

  • Professional services

• Category 2

  • CE course

  • Residency or fellowship

  • College or university course

  • Teaching a college or university course

  • Teaching a CE Course

• Category 3

  • Professional presentations

  • Professional writing (authorship/editorship)

  • Research activities

For full information, refer to the MOSC Requirements.

The ABPTS provides several resources to help prepare for the NCS exam, including:

• Candidate Handbook with content outline and sample questions on p. 70

• Description of Specialty Practice: Neurologic Physical Therapy available for download for $49.99

• Rehab Knowledge Advantage prep course for $400 or practice exams for $150

• The Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy website has resources, conferences, and clinical practice guidelines

The ABPTS also offers the following certifications:

• Board-Certified Clinical Electrophysiologic Clinical Specialist (ECS)

• Board-Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS)

• Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)

• Board-Certified Oncologic Clinical Specialist (Oncology)

• Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS)

• Board-Certified Women's Health Clinical Specialist (WCS)

• Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS)

• Board-Certified Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Clinical Specialist (CCS)

• Board-Certified Wound Management Clinical Specialist (Wound)