Advanced Competency in Home Health

Certification Requirements for PHYSICAL THERAPISTS

Participants must successfully complete the following within a 24-month period:

1. APTA Home Health asks that you complete a registration form at the time that you decide to pursue this certification. This will let us know you intend to complete the certification. No purchase required at the time of registration. 


2. Complete the PT Core Course Bundle of five (5) online core courses (~20 hours total). The core courses include the following (courses marked with ** are pre-requisites for the required face-to-face course):

  • Home Health Clinical Assessment (5 hours)**
  • Home Health Regulation & Documentation (3 hours)**
  • Pharmacology for the Home Health Physical Therapist (5 hours)**
  • Balance & Falls: Factors, Measurements, and Interventions for Home Health (5 hours)**
  • Ethical Considerations for Physical Therapists Practicing in the Home Health Setting (2 hours)

How do I complete these courses: The Core Courses are available as a bundle on the APTA Home Health Learning Center. To purchase the bundle, click here. Then click ‘details’ under the ACHH PT Core Course Bundle package to find the link to purchase. You will be emailed instructions on how to access the courses after you purchase them. You must pass the online quiz for each course with a 70% or higher. A CEU certificate will be emailed to you once you complete and pass the course quiz.

3. After you complete the core courses in the PT Course Bundle, you must attend a face-to-face course in which you will demonstrate home care skills (15 hours).

How do I register for the face-to-face course: The Advanced Competency in Home Health face-to-face course is offered several times each year by the Home Health Academy. When available, details and registration may be accessed through our Calendar of Events. The course is also offered as a pre-conference course at the Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) each winter in collaboration with APTA. Registration for CSM typically opens in September of each year and you must register for CSM through APTA. Registration for the face-to-face course/virtual seminar must be purchased separately and is NOT included in the PT Course Bundle.

    • You’ll be required to complete and pass (70% or higher) an online post-test for the face-to-face course/virtual seminar.
    • Individual employers or organizations interested in sponsoring this course for their staff should contact the Home Health Section. Note that we require a minimum of 35 attendees for in person courses.

** PLEASE NOTE - The face-to-face course has transitioned to a virtual seminar for the foreseeable future due to COVID-19. Click Here for details and to register for upcoming virtual seminars. 

4. Physical Therapists must also complete four (4) credit hours minimum of elective online courses. The length of each elective course varies. You are only required to complete and pass at least 4 credit hours of electives.

How do I complete these elective courses: The online electives are available for purchase in the APTA Home Health Learning Center. See the course listings page for a complete list of all elective courses to choose from.
**Please note that these elective courses must be purchased separately and are NOT included in the PT Course Bundle. Some elective courses are worth more than 4 credit hours, in which you would only need to complete 1 elective course. If the course you wish to take is only worth 2 credit hours, you must complete 2 elective courses.

  • You must pass the online quiz for each elective course you choose with a 70% or higher. A CEU certificate will be emailed to you once you complete the elective course.

5. After you have successfully completed and passed all requirements for the ACHH Certification above, please fill out the PT ACHH Certification Completion form.

  • Click here to submit the PT ACHH Completion Form. 

 

Additional Program Information:

  • You must complete the entire Advanced Competency in Home Health program within 24 months of the date you start your first online course.
  • 4 of the Core Courses are pre-requisites for the face-to-face course, but you may otherwise complete the courses in any order.
  • You are not required to be enrolled in the Advanced Competency program to take any of the online courses.

 
Advanced Competency in Home Health Certificate Renewal Requirements


More Questions? Be sure to read the Frequently Asked Questions or email us at [email protected].