Hand Therapy Certification Commission

What Hand Therapy Certification Commission does

The Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC) is a California-incorporated not-for-profit agency founded in 1989 that operates the only credentialing program for the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) designation in the United States. HTCC certifies licensed occupational therapists (88% of CHTs) and physical therapists (11%) who have completed a minimum of three years of clinical experience and 4,000 hours of direct hand therapy practice by administering the Hand Therapy Certification Examination (HTCE) — a four-hour, 200-item computer-based test delivered semi-annually at PSI Services' network of over 1,800 assessment centers across 25+ countries. The organization holds the federally registered CHT trademark and manages a five-year recertification cycle with two pathways (Professional Development or Examination retake), supported by Inactive Status, CHT Retired designation, a Self-Assessment Tool, a Peer Mentoring Manual, a public Find-a-CHT directory, and the Mary Kasch Scholarship co-administered with ASHT and AHTF.

HTCC's business model is built on three primary revenue streams: one-time examination application fees ranging from $325 to $500 depending on cycle and timing, recurring five-year recertification fees of $450 (or $550 late), and ancillary revenue from score verification ($50), Inactive Status ($100/year), Retired Status ($125), and a merchandise logo store. As of 2026, the credential is held by 7,849 CHTs worldwide. Day-to-day operations are outsourced to Credential Management Professionals, LLC, while governance rests with a board composed of CHTs, a physician, and a public member. The organization is a member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence and was originally created by the American Society of Hand Therapists in response to antitrust constraints on restrictive professional membership.

Name

Hand Therapy Certification Commission

Legal name

Hand Therapy Certification Commission, Inc.

Website

https://htcc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

HTCC is a 1989-founded, California not-for-profit that operates the only federally registered Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential, certifying licensed occupational and physical therapists through a semi-annual computer-based examination and five-year recertification cycle, with 7,849 CHTs worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Certification Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Hand & Upper Extremity Therapy (OT/CHT) (HSADAIAH)

Keywords

• Hand therapy certification
• Professional credentialing services
• Occupational therapy certification
• Physical therapy certification
• Certification examination services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Certification Examination Fees: Candidates pay examination fees to take the Hand Therapy Certification Examination (HTCE). Spring exam application: $500; Fall exam application: $325-$500. Fees are non-refundable after certain deadlines with processing fees ranging from $75-$175.
2. Recertification Fees: CHTs pay recertification fees every five years to maintain their credential. Normal application period: $450; Late application period: $550. Additional options include Inactive Status ($100/year) and CHT Retired designation ($125 one-time).
3. Merchandise and Products: HTCC operates a logo store selling merchandise including replacement certificates ($30), CHT pins ($25), calendars ($3), portfolios ($40), and goniometers. Certificate frames are available through external vendor.
4. Score Verification Services: Candidates may request score verification for $50 if they believe an error occurred in examination scoring.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC) administers the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential, a voluntary professional certification for licensed occupational therapists and physical therapists specializing in upper limb rehabilitation. Eligibility requires a minimum of 3 years of practice experience and 4,000 hours of direct hand therapy practice, and candidates must pass the Hand Therapy Certification Examination (HTCE), a four-hour computer-based test of 200 multiple-choice items offered twice yearly (spring and fall) through PSI Services' network of over 1,800 global test centers. HTCC also provides ongoing five-year recertification, lifecycle status options (Inactive, Retired), career development resources, and a public Find a CHT directory.

Product overview

The Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC) offers a certification ecosystem centered on the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential. The core offering consists of the CHT credential with its prerequisite Hand Therapy Certification Examination (HTCE), a rigorous computer-based assessment. HTCC provides two recertification pathways: Professional Development (requiring 2,000 work hours and 80 continuing education hours over five years) and Examination retake. Supporting offerings include Inactive Status and Retired Status designations for life-cycle transitions. Career development resources encompass the Self-Assessment Tool for exam preparation, the Hand Therapist Peer Mentoring Manual, and a searchable Find a CHT directory for public verification. Additional offerings include the Mary Kasch Scholarship ($1,500 value), periodic Salary Surveys, and a merchandise store. The CHT credential is the primary product, with all other offerings supporting certification holders or candidates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HTCC: The Hand Therapy Certification Commission - the primary credentialing organization for Certified Hand Therapists (CHTs).
• CHT Credential
• HTCE

Products and services

• Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) Credential The flagship professional certification for occupational therapists and physical therapists, designating excellence in hand therapy practice. Awarded upon successful passage of the Hand Therapy Certification Examination (HTCE) and verification of eligibility including 3+ years of clinical experience and 4,000+ hours of direct hand therapy practice. Held by 7,849 practitioners worldwide as of 2026.
• Hand Therapy Certification Examination (HTCE) A comprehensive four-hour computer-based examination consisting of 200 multiple-choice items assessing advanced clinical skills and theory in upper limb rehabilitation. Administered twice yearly (spring and fall windows) through PSI Services' network of over 1,800 global testing centers. Exam domains weighted as: Assess Upper Limb (26%), Determine Prognosis (20%), Implement Plan of Care (32%), and Fundamental Knowledge (22%). Examination fee ranges from $325 to $500 depending on cycle and timing.
• Recertification by Professional Development Recertification pathway for active CHTs to renew the CHT credential every five years by accumulating 2,000 hours of work experience in hand therapy and 80 contact hours of professional development. Standard application fee $450; late application fee $550.
• Recertification by Examination An alternative recertification pathway allowing CHTs to renew their CHT credential every five years by retaking and passing the Hand Therapy Certification Examination.
• Inactive Status Temporary lifecycle status for CHTs who cannot meet recertification requirements, available for up to five years. Provides additional time to meet requirements without requiring examination retake. Annual fee $100/year.
• CHT Retired Status Lifetime designation for retired Certified Hand Therapists recognizing their years of service. Available to those who have held CHT certification for 10+ years or are at least 65 years old. One-time fee $125.
• HTCC Logo Store Online storefront selling CHT-branded merchandise including replacement certificates ($30), certificate frames, calendars ($3), CHT pins ($25), small plastic goniometers, and zippered portfolios ($40). Payments processed via PayPal.
• Hand Therapist Peer Mentoring Manual A structured mentoring framework for hand therapy mentors and practitioners who want to develop advanced knowledge in hand therapy. Uses the HTCE Blueprint as framework and Self-Assessment Tool for establishing learning objectives. Available as free PDF or printed copy for $75.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PSI ServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationPSI Services is HTCC's contracted testing agency for administering the Hand Therapy Certification Examination (HTCE). PSI provides examination development, administration, scoring, and analysis services. They maintain over 1,800 testing centers globally and deliver the computer-based test on behalf of HTCC.
• Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHTCC is a proud member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE), a professional membership association providing education, networking, and resources for organizations in the credentialing industry. ICE is a leading developer of standards for certification and certificate programs.
• American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHTCC was founded through ASHT in 1989. ASHT advances hand therapy through communication, education, research, and clinical standards. ASHT and HTCC participate in the Tri-Alliance along with the American Hand Therapy Foundation for the Mary Kasch Scholarship program.
• American Hand Therapy Foundation (AHTF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAHTF contributes $500 to the Mary Kasch Hand Therapy Certification Scholarship as part of the Tri-Alliance scholarship program with ASHT and HTCC. AHTF also accepts donations to the scholarship fund.
• National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS occupational therapists may submit NBCOT certification verification instead of state license verification for HTCE eligibility documentation. NBCOT provides verification services for OTR certifications.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Institute for Credentialing Excellence: A professional membership association for credentialing organizations of which HTCC is a member. ICE develops standards (e.g., NCCA) used across the credentialing industry and convenes HTCC's peer credentialing bodies, making it an enabling ecosystem peer rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy: Issues the OTR and COTA credentials required for occupational therapy practice in the U.S. Like HTCC, NBCOT administers competency-based exams for OTs and serves as a foundational credentialing body that HTCC builds upon for the specialty CHT designation.
• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants: Administers the national credentialing process for physician assistants and specialty CAQ designations. It is a structurally similar healthcare-specialty credentialing body with computer-based testing, recertification requirements, and recognized post-nominal credentials.
• American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties: Provides specialist certification for physical therapists across multiple clinical specialties. It is the closest analog to HTCC for PTs, offering specialty board certification that parallels HTCC's CHT credential in terms of competency validation and recertification cycles.
• Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board: Provides specialty credentialing for nurses in wound, ostomy, and continence care. It mirrors HTCC's model of specialty competency certification within an allied health profession, with similar exam-based credentialing and periodic recertification.
• Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer: Certifies athletic trainers through a national examination and ongoing continuing education requirements. Comparable in scale and model to HTCC as a single-credential specialty certification body in an allied health profession.

Broad incumbents

• American Occupational Therapy Association: The primary national professional membership association for OTs in the U.S. While broader than HTCC, AOTA influences OT practice standards and continuing education that feed into CHT eligibility and recertification pathways.
• American Physical Therapy Association: The national professional association for physical therapists, parent of the ABPTS specialty boards. Comparable in scope to AOTA for PTs, it shapes PT practice, education, and specialty recognition relevant to the CHT credential's PT-eligible candidate pool.
• American Society of Hand Therapists: The professional society that founded HTCC in 1989 and continues to collaborate through the Tri-Alliance. ASHT sets hand-therapy practice standards and education that underpin HTCC's examination blueprint, making it a closely aligned, broader-scope peer.

Emerging players

• Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy: Supports PT licensing jurisdictions through the NPTE and licensure compact initiatives. While not a specialty credentialing body, it operates in adjacent competency-validation territory for physical therapists and influences the broader PT credentialing ecosystem HTCC draws from.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/handtherapycertification
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hand-therapy-certification-commission
• Instagraminstagram.com/handtherapyhtcc
• Xx.com/HandTherapyHTCC

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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