2025-2026 HSS Rehabilitation Orthopedic Specialization Program

The Orthopedic Specialization Program is a 4-month, self-paced course designed to help participants prepare for the Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS) exam and PT first practice. Created by HSS residency faculty, the program includes over 20 hours of self-selected education materials and 50 OCS-structured questions to support clinical development for those pursuing orthopedic specialization.

Target Audience: Physical Therapists

Registration Deadline: September 26, 2025

Dates: September 29, 2025 – February 7, 2026

Chairperson: Jay Mizuta, PT, DPT, GCS, OCS

Faculty: HSS Orthopedic Residency Faculty and former Residents

Program Components

Advanced Testing Questions

• 50 test questions administered at the start of the program
• Individualized test results depicting areas of strengths and weaknesses within the categories of the exam
• Repeat exam in January with answer justification

On Demand Programs

Orthopedic Core Curriculum

• 12 modules
• Post course knowledge checks
• 13.5 CEUs

Advanced Orthopedic Triage Certification

• Case based modules
• 8 CEUs
• 40 test questions

Option to complete the practical exam by June 30th to receive the certification.

OCS Prep Course (1 day live streamed program):

December 6, 2025, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm ET

HSS faculty who have successfully taken the OCS exam will share their experience to help refine the challenging material contained within the recommended texts with an emphasis on clinical pattern recognition, clinical prediction rules, and current research.

The OCS Exam Prep Course is also offered as a standalone program. If you aren't interested in the full OSP Program but would like to take the Prep Course, click here to see program details and register.

Monthly Communications

Monthly communications will provide strategies and tips will help guide you through the program and keep you on track as you study for the OCS exam.

Selected Articles

Curated reference list by body region and content area will be electronically delivered to participants to continue to expand and broaden their knowledge.

Recommended Resource (not included within the cost of this program):

APTA Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy: Current Concepts of Orthopedic Physical Therapy

This APTA resource is highly recommended to all participants. This 12 monograph written program presents a thorough review of anatomy and biomechanics of each body region, application of specific tests and measurements, musculoskeletal pathology, and effective treatment strategies. The 31.2 Current Concepts of Orthopedic Physical Therapy, 5th Edition is available to APTA members for $300 for online access. For non-members the on-line access cost is $400.

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 7 days before event. Eventbrite's fee is nonrefundable.

Hospital for Special Surgery reserves the right to cancel this course. In the unlikely event the course is canceled, HSS will issue a full refund of the registration fee but will not be responsible for any other charges incurred by the registrant due to the cancellation of the course.