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

• Professional Development and Work Experience Credit for participation as a hand therapist on a hand surgical trip or educational program in a developing country: up to 10 hours per week of formal and informal teaching in Cat E plus 30 hours per week towards work experience or 40 hours per week towards hand therapy work experience.

• Work hours from any country are accepted for recertification.
• CHTs deployed by the military may apply for an automatic two-year extension following their tour of duty to allow time to complete the recertification requirements.
• Your new accrual cycle for professional development hours begins the day your recertification application is approved.
• CHTs can now earn credit for reviewing articles in professional journals, or serving on an editorial review board.
• A maximum of 10 hours can be submitted per recertification cycle for courses in alternative or complementary medicine.
• A maximum of 10 hours can be submitted per recertification cycle for courses such as CPR training, health & safety courses and courses related to practice management.

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 two 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.

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.

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. It must be renewed annually.