The Path to Certification in Pelvic Rehab

Before you start: Clinical Experience and Eligibility

For those who plan to sit for the Pelvic Rehabilitation Certification Exam, the most valuable knowledge and skills that will be covered on the test will come from clinical experience. 

There are no required courses in order to sit for the PRPC exam. Rather, our courses instruct in the skills and knowledge one will use in the clinic, ultimately building the practical clinical experience that will be covered on the exam.

Therapists who are just beginning their pelvic rehab journey should read the article Which Courses do I Take to be Become a Pelvic Rehab Therapist

In order to take the PRPC exam, candidates must provide documentation of 2,000 documented hours of clinical experience with pelvic therapy patients over the past 8 years, with 500 of those hours of direct patient care taking place in the past 2 years. Pelvic patient care includes hours spent on direct patient care related to conditions of pelvic pain, pelvic girdle dysfunction, conditions of bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction that relate, in whole or in part, to the health and function of pelvic structures and the pelvic floor. Other conditions that qualify as direct pelvic patient care may include dysfunctions of the abdomen, thoracolumbar spine, or the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex. These hours can include care for pediatric, adolescent, adult, and aged patients of any gender.

Step 1: Download the Information Packet and Application 

The exam is offered twice a year - from May 1-15 and November 1-15 annually. Applications are due on April 1st and October 1st, respecrively.

You can apply to sit for the next administration of the exam by downloading the Candidate Information Packet and Application on this page. Sample test questions are also available to download on this page. 

Step 2: Review the list of Knowledge and Skills Statements 

 The PRPC examination contents are broken down into 8 different domains. The 150 items or questions on the test will be based on these domains in the ratios shown below. 

When you consider the above categories, think of how each applies to pelvic rehab. In other words, while it may be helpful for you to have an exceptional knowledge base about the elbow, unless we are relating elbow anatomy, pathophysiology, or interventions to pelvic rehab, you can rest assured that items are not built around knowledge of the elbow. On the other hand, if a medical intervention, such as a surgery or medication, has an implication for pelvic rehabilitation, the examination can include such content. Topics that will not be directly tested on the examination include documentation, billing, the mechanisms of diagnostic testing such as urodynamics, marketing, or techniques outside of our scope.

Step 3: Submit your Application and Schedule your Exam

Follow the steps in the Application to submit to HW. We will process your application and notify you of your approval within a few days. Once you are approved and pay for your exam, you will be sent a voucher to schedule your exam at a testing center near you. 

Step 4: Study

One common question we hear is "How should I study for the exam?" There is no right answer to this question, as each therapist will need to decide what content areas of knowledge and skills are fresh versus needing an update. 

Upon approval of the application, a therapist will be sent documents that include information upon which the examination is built. The Job Tasks Analysis and the test Blueprint will be sent to the applicant, and the Blueprint contains more detailed topics within each of the domains listed in the above chart. Keep in mind that all topics were chosen through a rigorous process to represent the body of work in pelvic rehabilitation.

There is no particular coursework that is required for this certification. However, if you feel shaky on a given topics, taking coursework on this topic is a great way to prepare. For example, many therapists say that Pharmacology is a difficult knowledge area and may find Pharmacologic Considerations for the Pelvic Rehab Provider helpful. 

As part of your application, you can check a box to be put in touch with other therapists to form a study group. This is a great way to connect with other practitioners who are also preparing for the exam. 

Step 5: Take the Test 

Once an applicant is approved to sit for the exam and H&W has received the applicant's examination fee, H&W will send the applicant a voucher number via email. Applicants must have this voucher number before contacting a Kryterion Host Locations to schedule a testing appointment. Appointments are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; therefore, applicants should schedule an appointment as soon as possible after receiving a voucher number. Delays in scheduling may result in an applicant not being able to make an appointment at a preferred test site or preferred test date. Applicants should report any problems in scheduling a testing appointment to Kryterion as soon as possible.

Kryterion Host Locations can be located by checking this link.

PRPC examinations are administered by computerized testing. The examination questions are presented on computers and applicants provide their responses using a mouse or keyboard. Approved applicants should contact Kryterion as soon as possible once they have their voucher code to schedule a testing appointment. Applicants may take the test on any day that it is offered during the testing window, provided that there is space at the Kryterion test center of choice.

Applicants raw exam scores are not reported on the score reports to prevent misuse of the scores.

Passing applicants may begin using the credential designation after their name on business cards, email signatures, and professional correspondence. Passing applicants will also receive an official certificate identifying them as a Certified Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner.