The Functional Pelvis Practitioner Levels program represents a groundbreaking initiative in pelvic health for occupational therapists, setting a new standard in comprehensive education. This certification is uniquely rigorous, blending a biopsychosocial approach with advanced clinical training to ensure practitioners are not only technically proficient but also deeply aware of the complex interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors affecting whole-person pelvic health client care.

Designed specifically for occupational therapists, this program is the first of its kind, emphasizing a holistic understanding of pelvic health. It involves a thorough assessment of 222 core competencies that include, but are not limited to client communication, trauma-informed care, manual therapy techniques and adaptive strategies for diverse populations.

The curriculum is structured around and proudly anchors into the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, ensuring a well-rounded and relevant educational experience that directly translates to improved client outcomes.

Certification from the Functional Pelvis Practitioner program serves as a testament to a therapist’s expertise and a commitment to the highest standards of pelvic health care.

It not only enhances a therapist’s credentials but also positions them as a leader in a field where such specialized knowledge significantly influences the quality of life of clients.

This certification ensures that therapists are equipped to navigate and address the multifaceted needs of their clients, making a meaningful impact in the evolving landscape of healthcare.

It is time to stop looking at pelvic health through a pathology focused, dysfunction forward approach.  As OTs, we know we need to treat the whole person, through a function first, occupation centered lens.

These levels and ultimate certification will enable OTs to more fully step into their role in a recognized fashion.

Absolutely.  We want to be the gold standard to pelvic health education for occupational therapists.

To do that, we have to ensure that this certification is rigorous and ensures that OTs who receive the certification have the skills, knowledge and abilities  that demonstrate their expertise in Pelvic Health.

We've done this by aligning our certification to the OT Practice Framework with 222 specific core competencies.  Additionally, we've ensured these core competencies align to what the largest employers of OTs around the country require from a skills, knowledge and ability perspective.

Additionally, to sit for the certification exam you must be a licensed OTP or PT for at least 3 years.  And have 3,000 hours of pelvic health activities in the last 5 years (1,000 of these hours must be direct client care in Pelvic Health or have worked in Pelvic Health for 6 months full time. 

The exam is proctored to ensure there is no cheating.

Each Level will have its own application.  This is so that we can check you've satisfied all the prerequisites.

Applications will be available starting in January 2025.  The best thing to do now is to review the prerequisites on this page and sign up to the interest list so you receive notification when applications go live.

No. These levels are designed to work with our professional goals. Not interested in being trauma informed? No problem. Just stay at Level 1. Interested in being trauma-informed but don't want to sit for the certification? No problem, just stop at Level 2. This is 100% up to you.

You bet!  A huge intention behind this is to standardize a proven path for OTs to gain the knowledge, skills and abilities that are highly sought after by employers.

Reaching Level 3 and becoming a Certified Functional Pelvis Health Therapist™ is a rigorous process with independent testing.  Through this certification process, you will gain an official standing that proves your knowledge, skills and abilities.

We've poured through what employers have said they are looking for in candidates through position descriptions and requirements.  We've created a grand total of 200+ core competencies that align to the requirements of the largest employers of OTs in the United States.

Addition, our certification is aligned to the OT Practice Framework so you can be ensured this is OT-centric.

We are literally spending thousands of dollars doing outreach to employers of PTs and OTs within Pelvic Health inside the United States.  We are talking hundreds of employers. Think of continuous marketing efforts showcasing not only core competencies but highlighting case-studies of OTs who have completed the certification.

A huge part of this initiative is the advocacy work that we are doing with employers demonstrating the very real skills OTs have in this specialty.

It is our intention that not only does this put OTs on the map for jobs, but that in the near future employers will ask "Oh - are you a Certified Functional Pelvis Health Therapist™?"

The typical order is:

• Complete OT Pioneers
• Complete OT Elevate (and obtain Level 1 designation)
• Complete the Trauma-Informed Pelvic Health Certification (and obtain Level 2 designation)
• Sit for the certification exam for Level 3 and become a Certified Functional Pelvis Health Therapist™!

However, things can be taken out of order as long as you meet the pre-requisites for each individual class.

In terms of time-line, that is really up to you!  

Some people take OT Pioneers and work with that material for a year before enrolling in OT Elevate.

Others take OT Pioneers and OT Elevate at the same time!

It is really up to you, your professional goals, and how quickly you'd like to become certified.

Please take into these considerations:

• OT Pioneers is offered 3 times/year
• OT Elevate is available year-round for enrollment
• The Trauma-Informed Pelvic Health Certification is offered yearly
• The exam for the certification (Level 3) will be offered year round for when you are ready to take it

Level 0, 1 and 2 are only attainable by taking the courses above.

However, we recognize that some people will have experience through other course work plus professional activities and would still like to become certified at Level 3.

The requirements for everyone to sit for the exam at Level 3 are the same:

• Take the Trauma-Informed Pelvic Health Certification (e.g. pass Level 2).
• Have 3,000 hours of pelvic health experience in the last 5 years (1,000 of which must be direct client care).
• Be a licensed professional for at least 3 years.

Not at the moment but we believe it will be in time.

Currently, many companies require therapists to have the PRPC through Herman and Wallace in order for them to be considered for employment.

It's time we fully stepped into our OT-led approach with pride by having our own certification that stops employers from asking, "Can OTs specialize in Pelvic Health?"

And we are doing this by making these levels and certification a robust and rigorous process through which OTs can demonstrate their expertise to employers.  Additionally, we are spending a lot of resources educating employers of pelvic health therapists about this certification, its uniqueness, and the skills, knowledge, and abilities that OTs who have received this certification have.

Of course not!  These exams are proctored to prevent anyone from cheating.

We will be opening applications in January 2025 so sign up to the interest list today so you don't miss any communications!

No, don't wait.

All your course credits apply retroactively.

The purpose of the application is so that we have a way to a.) process your interest in getting the different Levels and b.) ensure we check you've satisfied all the requirement in addition to the courses (e.g. demonstration of techniques, etc.).

Our intention is to receive AOTA approval for our Level 3 Certification.  

The requirements we've set out for needing to sit for the certification exam at Level 3 follows the AOTA guidelines.