AHCB Hippotherapy Certification Exam

Candidate Handbook and Application

• AHCB Hippotherapy Certification Exam Candidate Handbook (PDF)
• AHCB Hippotherapy Certification Exam Application Instructions (PDF, also included in the Handbook)
• AHCB Hippotherapy Certification Exam Application (Online Form)
• AHCB Hippotherapy Certification Examination Testing Agreement (PDF).
• AHCB Attestation Statement (PDF)
• AHCB Request for Accommodations Form (PDF)

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AHCB Hippotherapy Certification Exam

What Content is Covered?

The AHCB Hippotherapy Certification Examination is a computer-based examination composed of a maximum of 150 multiple-choice, objective questions with a total testing time of three (3) hours. Questions will be in the following areas:

1. Program Administration
2. Basic Horsemanship
3. Posture and Movement Principles
4. Hippotherapy Applications

Eligibility Requirements

1. Candidates must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

• The candidate must be currently licensed or certified to practice as a physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, occupational therapist, occupational therapist assistant, or speech and language pathologist in the US or the equivalent in other countries.
• The candidate must have at least one year of full time or the equivalent (2,000 hours) experience in the practice of physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech and language pathology.
• The candidate must have completed American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) Level I and II equine skills and treatment principle courses or equivalent graduate level courses.
• The candidate must have a minimum of 25 hours of one-on-one direct patient treatment using hippotherapy prior to certification application deadline. *Please note that treatment experience that is part of an educational course or mentoring process does not qualify for this requirement.
• The candidate must be experienced and comfortable with horses and can ride safely and independently at the walk and trot.

2. Agree to abide by the AHCB Testing Agreement.

3. Complete and file Application for the Hippotherapy Certification Examination.

4. Payment of required fee.

Examination Process

The Certification Examination is administered during an established two-week testing period on a daily basis, Monday through Saturday, excluding holidays, at computer-based testing facilities managed by PSI. PSI has several hundred testing facilities in the United States, as well as Canada. Scheduling is done on a first-come, first-serve basis.

To find a testing center near you, visit https://ptcny.com or call 1-800-733-9267.

Please note: Hours and days of availability vary at different centers. To schedule your examination appointment, you must have received an Eligibility Notice in advance from PTC.

Update on the Coronavirus Outbreak

Refer to the Professional Testing Corporation website for current COVID protocols.

Contact Information

If you have questions regarding certification, please contact Linda Frease, lafrease@verizon.net.

If you have any general questions, please contact Carol Huegel, hippopt@aol.com or Celia Bower, Celia_Bower@yahoo.com.