Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) Program
The Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) program is Highbar’s flagship advanced clinical certification — a 312-hour residency-informed curriculum designed for licensed physical therapists seeking advanced training in orthopedic clinical reasoning, manual therapy, exercise prescription, and regional management.
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
👥 Licensed PTs
🎓 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 physical therapists 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-informed 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
- Preparation for the OCS (Orthopedic Clinical Specialist) board exam
Curriculum Highlights
- Advanced Therapeutic Pain Management
- Certified Lumbopelvic Specialist coursework
- Certified Cervicothoracic Specialist coursework
- Certified Upper Extremity Specialist coursework
- Certified Lower Extremity Specialist coursework
- Capstone / competency assessment
The COMT Advantage
- COMT Designation — a credential that signals residency-informed 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
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the program take to complete?
Most participants complete the COMT program over approximately 14–24 months, depending on pace, course sequencing, and scheduled in-person lab intensives.
Is this a residency program?
The COMT is not a formal APTA-accredited residency, but the curriculum scope and rigor are residency-informed. It is designed specifically to deliver residency-informed 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.