Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) Program
The Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) program is Highbar’s flagship advanced clinical certification — a 312-hour residency-level curriculum designed for PTs and PTAs who want to reach a level of orthopedic practice expertise typically reserved for post-professional residency graduates.
Delivered by Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialists (OCS), the COMT program blends self-paced virtual education with mandatory hands-on lab intensives and a comprehensive capstone assessment. Upon completion, participants earn the COMT designation and receive access to Highbar’s OCS Prep Course — positioning them for board-level orthopedic specialty certification.
⏱ 312 Contact Hours
✅ APTA MA Approved
👥 PT & PTA
🎓 COMT Designation
💰 $4,800
Program Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Format | Hybrid — self-paced virtual modules + multiple in-person lab weekends |
| Total Hours | 312 contact hours |
| CEU Approval | APTA Massachusetts — recognized in all New England states |
| Virtual Platform | Self-paced video curriculum + live case reviews with faculty |
| In-Person Labs | Highbar Physical Therapy, Cranston, RI |
| Who Can Attend | Licensed PT, PTA in good standing |
| Credential Earned | COMT (Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist) designation |
| Bonus Included | OCS Prep Course access upon completion |
| Investment | $4,800 total |
What You’ll Master
- Residency-level orthopedic examination and differential diagnosis
- Advanced manual therapy — HVLAT, LVLA, mobilization with movement
- Regional interdependence and movement system analysis
- Complex case management across the spine and extremities
- Evidence-based treatment planning and outcomes tracking
- Patient education, shared decision-making, and self-management strategies
- Dry needling and other adjunct technique integration
- Preparation for the OCS (Orthopedic Clinical Specialist) board exam
Curriculum Highlights
Module 1: Foundational Framework
Movement system theory, clinical reasoning models, pathoanatomy review, and the orthopedic evidence base. Establishes the cognitive architecture for everything that follows.
Module 2: Spine — Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar
Systematic examination, classification-based treatment, HVLAT and LVLA techniques, and complex spine case management. The most comprehensive spinal curriculum available outside a residency program.
Module 3: Upper Quarter
Shoulder, elbow, wrist/hand — advanced assessment frameworks, surgical and non-surgical management, return-to-function protocols.
Module 4: Lower Quarter
Hip, knee, ankle/foot — biomechanical analysis, manual therapy, load management, and sports rehab integration.
Module 5: Complex Clinical Presentations
Chronic pain, central sensitization, regional interdependence, multi-system patients — the cases that challenge even experienced clinicians.
Capstone Lab Intensives + Assessment
Multiple in-person lab weekends at our Cranston RI clinic, culminating in a comprehensive clinical skills assessment that verifies COMT-level competency.
The COMT Advantage
- COMT Designation — a credential that signals residency-level clinical competency to employers and patients
- OCS Prep Access — built-in preparation for the most prestigious orthopedic board certification in PT
- Small cohort, expert faculty — taught exclusively by Highbar’s Board-Certified OCS clinicians
- New England’s only program of this scope offered by an active outpatient orthopedic group
- Immediate clinical application — skills are used in the clinic before the program ends
What COMT Graduates Are Saying
“The COMT program changed my career trajectory. I went from competent to genuinely confident — and landed a senior clinician role at a new practice within 6 months of completing it.”
“I’ve done Maitland courses, McKenzie courses, a ton of weekend stuff. The COMT is the first program that actually synthesized everything into a coherent clinical system. It’s that good.”
“As a PTA, this was the most valuable professional investment I’ve ever made. My clinical director noticed the difference before I even finished the program.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the program take to complete?
Most participants complete the COMT program in 12–18 months, depending on their pace through the self-directed virtual modules. The in-person lab intensives are scheduled on specific dates throughout the year.
Is this a residency program?
The COMT is not a formal APTA-accredited residency, but the curriculum scope and rigor are residency-level. It is designed specifically to deliver residency-caliber clinical education in a format accessible to working clinicians.
What does the COMT credential mean to employers?
The COMT designation signals to employers that you’ve completed 312 hours of advanced orthopedic clinical education and demonstrated competency via capstone assessment — distinguishing you from clinicians with standard CEU credits.
What’s included in the OCS Prep Course access?
COMT graduates receive access to Highbar’s OCS Prep Course, which covers all domains of the ABPTS OCS exam with case-based practice, question banks, and review sessions. This is included in the COMT investment at no additional cost.
Can I do this while working full-time?
Yes. The virtual modules are fully self-paced and designed for working clinicians. The in-person labs are scheduled on weekends. Most COMT participants work full-time throughout the program.
Kathleen Rafanelli PT, DPT –
I had been working in outpatient PT for about 5 years and was looking for something to help refine my manual skills and elevate my comprehensive evaluation approach; and this course did just that! It provided me with the latest insight on EBP, enhanced my clinical decision making and added more manual skills into my tool box. It is a long commitment but broken down into manageable sections and I am so glad that I took the course. Not only has it been reflective in my personal confidence as a primary MSK provider, but it is also seen in my patient’s overall outcomes.