Requirements
To be eligible to apply to become an AHT, you must be three years post-graduate Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist, an AHTA Associate Member or hold a current Membership of an IFSHT recognised Association.
There are two options or pathways for Accreditation. Applicants choose one pathway: either Experiential or Academic. For an overview of the requirements of both pathways, you may view the video or read the information below.
Experiential pathway
1. Certificate of attainment in four (4) approved core courses
2. Certificate of attainment in two (2) approved elective courses or Certified Hand Therapist CHT (USA)
4. Minimum forty (40) hours of mentorship
5. Minimum 3600 clinical hours in hand therapy
6. All of the above (1 – 4) within a 5-year time-frame*
* Refer COVID-19 and parental leave pages on our website.
NOTE: Completion of a modalities course is no longer an essential requirement for the AHTA AHT credential for either Occupational or Physiotherapists.
Academic pathway
1. Completion of Masters in Hand and Upper Limb Therapy. Click here for a list of courses available.
3. Minimum forty (40) hours of mentorship
4. Minimum 3600 clinical hours in hand therapy
5. All of the above (1 – 3) within a 5-year time-frame*
* Refer COVID-19 and parental leave pages on our website.
NOTE: Completion of a modalities course is no longer an essential requirement for the AHTA AHT credential for either Occupational or Physiotherapists.
Approved courses
Core
- AHTA Fundamentals of Hand Therapy
- AHTA Advanced Open Trauma
- AHTA Advanced Closed Trauma
- AHTA Orthotic Fabrication Mobilisation
Elective
- AHTA Orthotic Fabrication - Immobilisation
- AHTA Arthritis Course
- AHTA Elbow Course
- Assessment and Treatment of the Wrist Course - K. Fitt & C. Goodwin
- Pain Management Course: AHTA and the University of Sydney
- Approved university modules (shown in the table below)
University |
Unit/Subject Code |
Unit/Subject Name |
Auckland University of Technology |
RHAB818 |
|
Auckland University of Technology |
RHAB 806 |
|
University of Melbourne |
RADI90010 |
|
University of Derby |
7OT523 |
Other
If you wish to submit a request to the Credentialing Council to have the relevant Academic Course/s approved by completing the Application for Credit of AHT Electives form to the AHTA office.