Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist Exam

Instructions for Application

• The Candidate Handbook (first link below) should be reviewed in it’s entirety prior to submitting an application.
• The exam application instructions (second link below) provide step by step directions of the application process.
• Complete the exam application (third link below), and submit online.
• Review the Testing Agreement (fourth link below).
• Within 24 hours of online application submission, submit ALL supporting documentation, including a completed attestation form (fifth link below) in ONE email to: applications@hippotherapycertification.org. See specific “HPCS Exam Application Instructions” below (opens in PDF).
• Provide payment online (link below).
• Refer application questions to: hippopt@aol.com.

Candidate Handbook and Application

• HPCS Candidate Handbook (PDF)
• HPCS Exam Application Instructions (PDF, also included in the Handbook)
• HPCS Exam Application (Online Form)
• HPCS Testing Agreement (PDF)
• HPCS Attestation Statement (PDF)
• AHCB Request for Testing Accommodation Form (PDF)

Pay Online

HPCS Certification Exam

What Content is Covered?

The Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist® Certification Examination is a computer-based examination composed of a maximum of 250 multiple-choice, objective questions with a total testing time of four (4) hours. Questions will be in the following areas:

1. History / Theory / Research
2. Horsemanship
3. Movement Science
4. Application of Hippotherapy Principles
5. Program Administration

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, occupational therapist, or speech and language pathologist in the US or the equivalent in other countries.
• The candidate must have at least three years of full time or the equivalent (6,000 hours) experience in the practice of physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech and language pathology.
• The candidate must have a minimum of 100 hours of one-on-one direct treatment in clinical practice using hippotherapy within the three years 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 have independent, skilled riding ability.

2. Agree to abide by the AHCB Testing Agreement.

3. Completion and filling of an Application for the Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist® 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.

Contact Information

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

If you have questions regarding certification renewal, please contact Jann Goodman, bldrmoun@aol.com.