Certified Hand Therapist

What Is a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)?

A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) is an occupational or physical therapist who has achieved the highest level of specialization in the rehabilitation of the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. The CHT credential is recognized worldwide as the gold standard for expertise in upper extremity care.

What It Takes to Become a CHT

Earning the CHT credential is one of the most rigorous achievements in the field of rehabilitation. To even qualify for the exam, a therapist must:

Hold a professional license in occupational therapy or physical therapy.
Accumulate at least 4,000 hours of direct hand and upper extremity therapy practice. This typically represents years of focused clinical experience.
Work a minimum of three years before sitting for the certification exam.
The Hand Therapy Certification Exam is notoriously difficult, with pass rates typically hovering around 50–60%, underscoring the challenge of earning the CHT credential.

The examination itself is a comprehensive, advanced test covering anatomy, surgical procedures, rehabilitation techniques, evidence-based practice, and clinical problem-solving. Passing requires a deep command of both theory and practice.

Why It Matters

Because the path is so demanding, fewer than 6,000 therapists worldwide hold the CHT credential. That means when you see a CHT, you’re working with a clinician who has invested thousands of hours in advanced training, hands-on patient care, and continuing education.

CHTs are trusted partners to surgeons and physicians, providing critical pre- and post-operative care, custom orthoses (splints), and complex rehabilitation programs that help people regain strength, motion, and independence.

A CHT brings:

Expert knowledge of anatomy and healing from the fingertips to the shoulder.
Collaboration with surgeons to guide safe recovery after procedures such as tendon repairs, fractures, or joint replacements.
Hands-on experience in designing custom splints and rehabilitation programs tailored to each individual.
A commitment to lifelong learning, as certification must be renewed every five years through continued education and clinical practice.

Why Choose a CHT?

When you choose a Certified Hand Therapist, you’re choosing a specialist with unmatched experience, advanced problem-solving skills, and dedication to restoring your ability to do the things you love—whether that’s typing, cooking, climbing, playing music, or simply holding hands with someone you care about.

Let’s Work Together

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