Unlock your potential in physical therapy with a Certification in Orthopedic Manual Therapy (COMT) from Maitland-Australian Physiotherapy Seminars. This comprehensive program helps you advance your skills and expertise through specialized courses and hands-on training. Learn more about our COMT physiotherapy certification below.
What is a Certification in Orthopedic Manual Therapy (COMT)?
The Certification in Orthopedic Manual Therapy (COMT) described below is for Physical Therapists only and demonstrates competency in Manual Therapy at the Intermediate level. MAPS has other Certification programs custom designed for PTAs, ATs, OTs and COTAs.
MAPS courses are organized in a series continuum to maximize learning and prepare eligible participants for the Certification in Orthopedic Manual Therapy Examinations.
Requirements for the MAPS Certification in Orthopedic Manual Therapy (COMT)?
To be eligible to sit for these exams, candidates must have a Physical Therapy license AND successfully complete all seven core course requirements:
- MT-1: Essential Peripheral Seminar
- MT-2: Essential Spinal Seminar
- MT-FMC: Motor Control Strategies to Maximize Rehab & Function Seminar (or MT-ST)
- MT-O: Evidence-Based Orthopedic Diagnostic Evaluation (or MT-O Competency Exam) The MT-O Competency Exam is a test-out option for MT-O and requires 70% competency to satisfy COMT Exam requirements.
- MT-3: Intermediate Spinal Seminar
- MT-4: Differential Assessment/Clinical Reasoning Seminar
- MT-UC: Upper Cervical Dysfunction Seminar
Successful completion of the physical therapy courses above is required to be eligible to sit the COMT Certification Examinations.
Recent Changes in COMT Requirements
- MT-UC was added to the COMT requirements on January 1, 2025.
- MT-O Competency Exam is a test-out option for MT-O and requires 70% competency to satisfy this component of the COMT Exam requirements.
Those Physical Therapy Certification candidates who pass these rigorous exams may adopt the professional designation of Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT), indicative of an intermediate level of competency in manual therapy. COMTs have the option of being included in MAPS’ national directory of Certified Manual Therapy Clinicians posted on the MAPS website (Find a COMT), and receive a FREE one year subscription upon passing the COMT Exams. For those wishing to become an internally recognized clinical expert in the Maitland Concept of Orthopedic Manual Therapy, you may want to consider obtaining your COMT through the MAPS Orthopedic Manual Therapy Fellowship Program, which is fully accredited by the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists.
COMT Exam Description
The COMT Physical Therapy Certification exam is a rigorous examination process that tests the candidate’s knowledge of the competencies learned in the MAPS Certification Curriculum for Physical Therapists.
There are multiple exam components:
- Written short-answer
- Multiple-choice
- Video-patient exam, and
- An OSCE-oral/practical (a hands-on exam of manual skills).
These exams test the candidate’s competency in clinical decision-making, advanced orthopedic clinical practice, accurate techniques of assessment/treatment, effective treatment progression, and safety.
Examinations take two days. However, scheduling for the written and practical exams varies over the exam weekend. Participants must be available for testing all three days or as directed in their final confirmation letters. No discounts or refunds are available for COMT physical therapy certification exams.
MAPS has certified 1,047 COMTs as of January 31, 2025.
COMT Re-Certification
To ensure that MAPS COMTs maintain a high degree of competency in manual therapy, they must satisfy additional continuing education requirements over a 5-year period to keep their MAPS Certification designation active.
You can find more details on COMT physiotherapy recertification under Recertification Requirements.
Elevate Your Practice Today
Obtaining a MAPS COMT signifies your commitment to delivering clinical excellence in physical therapy to your patients. As a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist, you’ll be equipped with advanced, hands-on skills to improve patient outcomes more efficiently and effectively than ever before, greatly enhancing your clinical practice. This is particularly important in a world in which patients are looking for quicker results, and healthcare companies are strictly limiting the number of patient visits. Start your Certification journey today and join the ranks of skilled practitioners dedicated to one of the most effective approaches to manual therapy – the Maitland-Australian Approach based upon the Maitland Concept.
