Philosophy
From its inception, the Board of Directors of HTCC envisioned a two-step process of Certification and Recertification. Recertification provides assurance to the public that the Certified Hand Therapist continues to meet the high standards set by HTCC. It is the personal responsibility of each Certified Hand Therapist to maintain their certification in order to demonstrate current knowledge and skills. Because of changes in the profession, every CHT is required to demonstrate continued professional development and competency by recertifying every five years.

Overview of Program Changes

• Practice crendetials from Ireland and The Netherlands are now accepted for both Certification and Recertification eligibility.
• Work hours from any country are now accepted for recertification.
• CHTs deployed by the military may now apply for an automatic two-year extension following their tour of duty to allow time to complete the recertification requirements.
• There is rolling fee schedule based on date of application for recertification.
• Your new accrual cycle for professional development hours begins the day your recertification application is approved (instead of the fixed date of June 1st).
• All authors of a paper published in a professional peer-reviewed journal may submit their contribution for full credit even if there are multiple authors.

Click here to download a summary of the Recertification Requirements.

Log into CHTs Only to enter Professional Development Hours online.

General Requirements

1. Be a current CHT (Active or Inactive) in good standing (no unresolved disciplinary actions against you).
   
2. Hold a current professional credential to practice as an OT or PT in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, The Netherlands, Australia, or New Zealand. Depending on your profession and where you practice, a professional credential may include a license, certificate, or registration. In all cases, it is the credential that you need to legally practice in that location.

Recertification Options
There are three options for renewing the CHT credential, if the general eligibility requirements have been met, or you may choose to become Inactive. Click on each category for more information. Since the requirements for Recertification by Professional Development are different the first time you recertify, you should click on the link that best describes your situation.

1. Recertification by Professional Development:

First Time Recertifying
A CHT may recertify with 2,000 hours of work experience in hand therapy (1,000 hours must be in hand therapy clinical practice) and 80 professional development hours. This option applies to you if you became certified between 2003 & 2007.

2. Recertification by Professional Development:

Recertified Once or More
A CHT may recertify with 2,000 hours of work experience in hand therapy (there are no hand therapy clinical practice requirements) and 80 professional development hours. This option applies to you if you initially became certified between 1991 & 2002 and have recertified one or more times.

3. Recertification by Examination
Any CHT may recertify by taking the examination, but it is the only option available to CHTs who have let their certification expire. Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements for CHT Recertification and successfully complete the Hand Therapy Certification Examination.

Inactive Status
Inactive Status is available for up to five years to CHTs who do not meet recertification requirements, do not want to take the exam, and do not want to lose their CHT status permanently.