OCS cost and value
Is the OCS Worth It? Cost, Pay and Payoff
The OCS costs most APTA members about $1,400 in fees plus a few months of study. Whether that pays off depends on where you work and what you want next. Here are the real numbers so you can decide.
What the OCS costs for the 2027 exam
| Fee | APTA member | Non member |
|---|---|---|
| Application review | $550 ($650 after early bird) | $895 ($995 after early bird) |
| Exam | $810 | $1,535 |
| Total | $1,360 to $1,460 | $2,430 to $2,530 |
| Maintenance over 10 years | $760 | $1,400 |
The non member premium is about $1,070, so compare it to your state’s APTA dues before you apply. For most people, membership pays for itself on this exam alone. Prep runs from free to about $750. See the prep resource comparison.
What you get back
- Pay. APTA workforce data reported by Physitrack put the average premium for board certified specialists at about $4,540 a year. That number covers every specialty and is self reported, so treat it as a ballpark.
- Hiring. In an ABPTS employer survey, 43% of employers said they give certified applicants priority in hiring.
- Cost support. 53% of employers in that survey paid at least part of the certification cost.
- Credibility. About half of surveyed facilities use ABPTS certification in their marketing. It also matters for teaching, residency faculty roles and cash pay practice.
- Better clinical decisions. Studying every body region against current CPGs makes you sharper with the patients you see every day.
When it is worth it
If you plan to stay in orthopaedics, want a lead or teaching role, or might open your own practice, the OCS is one of the best returns on $1,400 in this field. If you are leaving outpatient ortho in a year or two, or your employer will not pay and does not reward it, it can wait.
How to keep the cost down
- Apply by the early bird deadline (July 31) and save $100.
- Join APTA before you apply if the dues cost less than the $1,070 non member premium.
- Ask your employer to cover the fees or count study time as CEU time.
- Pass the first time. A retake costs another $190 reapplication fee plus the full exam fee.
More OCS guides
Frequently asked questions
What percent of PTs have an OCS?
Roughly 9%. ABPTS counted 25,306 orthopaedic specialists as of July 2026, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics counted about 283,700 physical therapist jobs in 2025. Orthopaedics is the biggest specialty by far, more than half of all 45,398 board certified PTs, but still fewer than 1 in 10 PTs hold it. Sources: ABPTS specialist statistics and BLS.
How much does the OCS cost in total?
For the 2027 exam, an APTA member pays $1,360 ($550 application plus $810 exam) or $1,460 after the early bird deadline. A non member pays $2,430, or $2,530 after the early bird deadline. Prep adds anywhere from $0 to about $750.
Does the OCS increase your salary?
Often, but not automatically. APTA workforce data reported by Physitrack found board certified specialists earned about $4,540 more per year on average, across all specialties. In an ABPTS employer survey, 39% of employers said they would consider a raise after certification.
Will my employer pay for the OCS?
Ask. In the ABPTS employer survey, 53% of employers paid at least part of the certification cost, and private practices and acute care hospitals were the most likely to help.
How much does it cost to keep the OCS?
Maintenance of specialist certification costs APTA members $760 over 10 years and non members $1,400, paid in installments.
Is the OCS worth it for new grads?
You need 2,000 orthopaedic hours or a residency first, so it is usually a goal for year two or three. If you plan to stay in orthopaedics, it is one of the clearest ways to stand out early.
Protect the $1,400
Practice with case based questions that explain every wrong answer. Start with 5 free questions.
Sources: ABPTS fees and deadlines; ABPTS employer survey; Physitrack on certification and pay.
Pass the OCS is not affiliated with ABPTS or APTA.