CERTIFICATION IN
SPORTS & ORTHOPEDIC MANUAL THERAPY
ABOUT
IAR offers the only certification program for physical therapists that combines both a sports and orthopedic approach in patient management. The program allows clinicians to receive the benefits of advanced course work and clinical reasoning in sports and orthopedics while acquiring highly skilled manual therapy techniques. The curriculum is a combination of online workshops and live weekend intensives. The weekend courses encompass a large amount of hands-on lab and exercise prescription necessary to develop the required motor skills and foundational clinical reasoning in the realm of sports and orthopedic manual therapy. Bi-monthly virtual clinical reasoning sessions with fellow students and IAR faculty. This certification program is open to all therapists with a valid physical therapy license in good standing. Upon successful completion of all course work, clinicians will become a Certified Sports and Orthopedic Manual Therapist (CSOMT).
ADMISSION STANDARDS
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Licensed Physical Therapists
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Licensed Physical Therapist Assistants are welcome to participate and will receive a certificate of completion.
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Requisite for New Graduates and Non - Residency graduates interested in pursuing Fellowship Training.
CURRICULUM
111 ONLINE COURSE
4 WEEKEND INTENSIVES
1 FINAL ONLINE MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE EMPHASIS ON SPORTS & ORTHOPEDIC APPLICATIONS
*courses can be completed in any order
Texas Physical Therapy Association Approved:
Core Concepts: 12 CCUs
Clinical Management Lumbar / SIJ: 16 CCUs
Clinical Management Cervical / Thoracic: 16 CCUs
Clinical Management Lower Extremity: 16 CCUs
Clinical Management Upper Extremity: 16 CCUs
Please check your state for eligibility in continuing education reciprocity for each course.
Students who are interested in using the CSOMT to transition into the IAR Sports & Orthopedic Manual Therapy Fellowship are encouraged to review the FELLOWSHIP PAGE in order to see the difference in curriculum offering between the CSOMT and the fellowship integrated CSOMT.
Contact Us to get more information on the differences between CSOMT programs to determine which option is the best fit for you.
PROGRAM PRICE
1 final online multiple choice exam required to earn the CSOMT credentials. Student can schedule this at anytime after completing all didactic components.
LOCATIONS
AUSTIN, TX
Austin Sports Medicine
1515 Medical Pkwy Bldg 3
Suite 100
Cedar Park, TX 78613
CHARLOTTE, NC
SCB
215 Southside Drive
Charlotte, NC 28217
DALLAS, TX
Performance Medicine
& Sports Therapy
6101 Windhaven Pkwy #145
Plano, TX 75093
HOUSTON, TX
Select PT
4009 Richmond Ave
Houston, TX 77027
Certification in Sports & Orthopedic Manual Therapy (CSOMT) – Frequently Asked Questions
The CSOMT program combines online learning, hands-on intensives, and clinical reasoning development. The curriculum includes: — Core Concepts in Sports & Orthopedic Manual Therapy (online) — Clinical Management: Lumbar Spine & SIJ — Clinical Management: Cervical & Thoracic Spine — Clinical Management: Lower Extremity — Clinical Management: Upper Extremity Each component emphasizes both assessment and intervention strategies across different regions of the body.
The CSOMT certification is built around the integration of sports and orthopedic manual therapy. The program emphasizes clinical reasoning, movement assessment, and hands-on intervention strategies that reflect the demands of both orthopedic patients and active individuals. Rather than separating these areas, the curriculum teaches clinicians how to apply manual therapy and exercise within a unified, patient-centered framework.
The CSOMT certification is designed for licensed physical therapists who want to advance their clinical reasoning and manual therapy skill set. — Licensed Physical Therapists are eligible to earn the CSOMT credential — Licensed Physical Therapist Assistants may participate and receive a certificate of completion This program is especially relevant for early-career clinicians who want to develop a stronger clinical foundation and begin working more confidently with active and athletic populations.
Who is eligible to enroll in the CSOMT program?
How is CSOMT different from traditional manual therapy certifications?
What is the focus of the CSOMT certification?
What is included in the CSOMT curriculum?
Most manual therapy programs focus primarily on orthopedic conditions in isolation. The CSOMT certification integrates orthopedic principles with movement and performance considerations. This approach allows clinicians to better understand how movement patterns, activity demands, and tissue capacity influence both injury and recovery, leading to more complete and clinically applicable treatment strategies.
How is the program structured?
The CSOMT certification includes: — Online coursework covering foundational concepts — Four weekend intensive courses focused on regional clinical management — Bi-monthly virtual clinical reasoning sessions with faculty and peers — A final online multiple-choice exam This structure allows clinicians to progressively build both theoretical understanding and practical skill.
Do the courses need to be completed in a specific order?
No. The CSOMT curriculum is designed to be flexible. Clinicians can complete the Clinical Management Series (CM 1–4) in any order based on their schedule, interests, and course availability. This allows participants to progress through the program in a way that fits their clinical and personal commitments.
What will I learn during the weekend intensives?
Yes. The weekend intensives include a significant hands-on lab component. Clinicians practice manual therapy techniques, movement assessment, and exercise prescription strategies under the guidance of experienced faculty. These sessions are designed to help develop both technical skill and clinical application.
Is there a hands-on component in the CSOMT program?
The weekend intensives focus on region-specific clinical management and include: — Movement assessment and clinical examination — Manual therapy techniques for joint and soft tissue dysfunction — Exercise prescription for rehabilitation and performance — Clinical reasoning for diagnosis and treatment progression Each intensive is designed to directly translate into clinical practice.
Bi-monthly virtual sessions provide an opportunity to refine clinical reasoning and apply course concepts. Clinicians engage in case discussion, ask questions, and explore patient management strategies alongside faculty and peers. These sessions help bridge the gap between coursework and real-world clinical decision-making.
What role do the virtual clinical reasoning sessions play?
Will this program improve my clinical reasoning?
Yes. Clinical reasoning is a central focus of the CSOMT program. Participants learn how to evaluate movement, identify contributing factors to dysfunction, and determine the most appropriate interventions based on the individual patient. The goal is to move beyond technique-driven care toward more thoughtful and effective treatment.
Yes. The program is designed with immediate clinical application in mind. Concepts are taught alongside hands-on labs and case discussions, allowing clinicians to begin integrating manual therapy techniques, movement assessment, and exercise strategies into their practice as they progress through the program.
Will I be able to apply what I learn immediately in practice?
Is this program appropriate for clinicians working with athletes?
Yes. The CSOMT certification is highly relevant for clinicians working with athletic and active populations. The curriculum incorporates movement-based assessment, return-to-activity considerations, and performance-informed treatment strategies that apply across both orthopedic and sports settings.
The CSOMT and SMTC serve different purposes and clinician populations. The CSOMT is a comprehensive, multi-course certification program designed to build clinical reasoning, manual therapy skill, and integrated treatment strategies over time. It includes both online coursework and multiple hands-on intensives. The SMTC is a short-format, 2–3 day course focused heavily on manual therapy techniques and treatment efficiency, primarily for clinicians working directly with athletic populations such as sports physical therapists and athletic trainers. Clinicians looking for a structured, progressive certification tend to pursue CSOMT, while those seeking a focused, technique-driven experience may consider SMTC.
How is the CSOMT different from the IAR Sports Manual Therapy Certification (SMTC)?
How is the CSOMT different from an orthopedic residency?
The CSOMT is a structured, self-paced certification program focused on developing clinical reasoning and manual therapy skills through coursework and hands-on training. An orthopedic residency is a more intensive, accredited program that includes additional educational content, formal competency assessments, and one-on-one mentorship with experienced clinicians. The CSOMT can serve as a strong foundation for clinicians who are considering pursuing residency or fellowship training in the future.
Yes. The CSOMT program is often used as a stepping stone for clinicians interested in pursuing advanced training. Clinicians considering the IAR Sports & Orthopedic Manual Therapy Fellowship are encouraged to review how the CSOMT curriculum aligns with fellowship progression and expectations.
Is this program a pathway to fellowship training?
Do I need prior advanced manual therapy training to enroll?
No prior advanced certification is required. The program is designed to build both foundational and advanced manual therapy skills while developing clinical reasoning across orthopedic and sports applications.
Each course within the CSOMT program offers continuing education credits. Examples include: — Core Concepts: 12 CCUs — Lumbar/SIJ: 16 CCUs — Cervical/Thoracic: 16 CCUs — Lower Extremity: 16 CCUs — Upper Extremity: 16 CCUs Participants should confirm CEU acceptance with their respective licensing boards, as requirements may vary.
What continuing education credits are available?
What is required to earn the CSOMT certification?
To earn the CSOMT credential, participants must: — Complete all required coursework (online and weekend intensives) — Successfully pass the final online multiple-choice exam Upon completion, clinicians earn the designation Certified Sports and Orthopedic Manual Therapist (CSOMT).
Participants typically receive preparation details before each course, including attire recommendations and any pre-course materials. Because the program includes hands-on labs and movement assessment, comfortable clothing that allows for active participation is recommended. All core instructional equipment is provided.
What should I bring to the weekend courses?
What can clinicians expect after completing the CSOMT program?
After completing the CSOMT certification, clinicians typically leave with: — A stronger framework for clinical reasoning and patient assessment — Improved proficiency in manual therapy techniques — Greater confidence in movement-based diagnosis and treatment — Enhanced ability to integrate exercise with hands-on care — A more comprehensive approach to managing orthopedic and active populations
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