AHCB Hippotherapy Certification Exam

Spring 2024 Testing


Fall 2024 Testing



Application and Fees


Application Deadline: April 10, 2024
First Day of Testing: Saturday, May 11, 2024
Last Day of Testing: Saturday, May 25, 2024
Application Deadline: September 4, 2024
First Day of Testing: Saturday, October 5, 2024
Last Day of Testing: Saturday, October 19, 2024
AHA Inc. Members: $400.00
Non-AHA Inc. Members: $500.00
Click to apply online

Update on the Coronavirus Outbreak

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

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 www.ptcny.com/cbt/sites.htm 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.

Candidate Handbook and Application

Visit https://ptcny.com/test-sponsors/ahcb/ to obtain the detailed exam content outline in our Candidate Handbook and access the online application.

For more information, Contact:
Professional Testing Corporation
1350 Broadway, Suite 800
New York, NY 10018
Phone: 212-356-0660
Fax: 212-356-0678
www.ptcny.com

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.