Strength Training Certification For Physical Therapists

Working in the health care field in hospitals, rehab centers or clinics, physical therapists are responsible for developing, maintaining and restoring movement and functional ability of the clients. Before working as a physical therapist, students must graduate from accredited universities, but the education doesn't stop there. To expand their professional expertise and knowledge, some physical therapists pursue additional certifications, such as strength training certifications.

National Strength and Conditioning Association

The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) has two credentials available for physical therapists -- the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and the Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT). To earn the CSCS or NSCA-CPT credential, physical therapists have a current CPR and AED certification while the CSCS also requires a bachelor's degree. After successfully passing the written exam, a set of continued education units (CEUs) must be fulfilled to maintain the credential.

American College of Sports Medicine

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) offers three health fitness certifications, two clinical certifications, and three specialty certifications for a physical therapist to choose the certification that meets his specialty or area of focus. The ACSM Health/Fitness instructor, for example, is a certification designed for health and fitness professionals looking to further their career, knowledge and skills. The certification covers risk stratification, physical fitness assessments, interpreting fitness test results and designing customized exercise workouts.

CrossFit

CrossFit certifications start with the Level 1 (CF-L1) introductory course that covers CrossFit methodology, concepts and movements and progresses to various specialty certifications. By completing a Level 1 certification, a physical therapist learns the essential mechanics for functional movements such as squats and deadlifts, identification and correcting of improper form and effective program design. To complete the Level 1 certification, physical therapists must pass a 50 question multiple-choice test. Additional specialty certifications include running, mobility, kettlebell, gymnastics, powerlifting or Olympic lifting.

National Academy of Sports Medicine

The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) designed the Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) certification for health care professionals such as athletic trainers, chiropractors and physical therapists. By completing the PES certification, physical therapists learn the Optimum Performance Training (OPT) methodology and how to build successful exercise programs using these methods. This strength training certification is ideal for sports physical therapists or any physical therapist working with athletes.

USA Weightlifting

USA Weightlifting offers numerous coaching courses, but the Level 1 Sports Performance Certification is a basic certification for which physical therapists can start. The hands-on certification course focuses on the technical teaching progressions of Olympic lifts including the snatch and clean and jerk. Within each of these Olympic lifts, the physical therapist will also learn the power snatch, power clean, power jerk and squats. The course lasts two days and covers about 13 to 14 hours of instruction.