CHTs seeking Recertification by Professional Development must satisfy the eligibility requirements based on their appropriate accrual cycle.

This information applies to you if you became certified in 1993 or 1998 and are due to recertify in 2008, or if you passed the test in 1991 to 2002 and have recertified one or more times.

If you recertified in 2003, your accrual cycle for work and professional development hours is June 1, 2003 to November 15, 2008.

Details for Recertification by Professional Development – Recertified Once or More

• Dates and Fees
• General Requirements
• Work Requirements
• Employment Verification
• Professional Development Requirements
• How to Apply
• Refunds
• Extensions

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.

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Work Requirements

Accrue a minimum of 2,000 hours of work experience.

The 2,000 hours of work experience may be any combination of the following areas:

1. Hand Therapy Clinical Practice experience
2. Teaching at the university level directly related to Hand therapy;
3. Research directly related to hand therapy;
4. Direct supervision or administration of a hand therapy clinical program;
5. Consultation related to hand therapy;
6. Activities supporting professional organizations related to hand therapy (i.e. American Society of Hand Therapists, the American Hand Therapy Foundation, the International Federation of Societies of Hand Therapists, the Hand Therapy Certification Commission, the American Association for Hand Surgery, the Hand Therapy Section of the American Physical Therapy Association, etc.).

CHTs residing in other countries should contact the HTCC office to discuss their individual situation.

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Employment Verification
The Employment Verification Form can be found in the handbook; however, you may download it separately to submit with your online hours or if you need to get it signed before leaving an employer.

Click here to download a blank Employment Verification Form

Click here to go to CHTs Only, then login and print a copy of your personalized Employment Verification Form.

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Professional Development Requirements
Accrue 80 contact hours of professional development, with a minimum of 36 in Category A. All 80 hours may be in Category A.

Click here to view the Professional Development Categories and learn how to enter & track your hours online.

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How to Apply for Recertification
You may only apply for Recertification in the year that your certification expires.

Apply Online

Enter all professional development and work experience hours online and have them approved. Once approved, complete the recertification application in CHTs Only. No handbook is required.

To complete the application, you will need to enter your state license number and pay with a credit card. If you want to pay by check, you will have to apply by mail.

Click here to go to the online application

Apply by Mail

Purchase Handbook

Click here to download a free PDF of the 2008 Recertification Handbook. Please note the new fees above.

Please Note: This file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not already have Adobe Acrobat reader, click here to download it now.

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Refunds

• A CHT who has applied for and been denied Recertification by Professional Development will receive a refund, minus a $75.00 processing fee.
• If the CHT wishes to then apply for Inactive Status, $100 will be applied towards Inactive Status, and the remainder will be refunded.
• Late fees are non-refundable.

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Extensions

HTCC no longer grants regular extensions. If you are unable to fulfill the recertification requirements, you are advised to apply for Inactive Status.

HTCC does grant Military Extensions. All deployed therapists will be given an automatic two-year extension for their recertification. Please contact HTCC to request the extension and provide a copy of your orders. You may make the request at any time during the recertification cycle and HTCC will attach it to your record, so that in the year recertification is due, two years will be added automatically. This allows a total of seven years for accrual of professional development hours for deployed personnel.