Bodies
Professional associations
- AAOSPT, Physical therapistAT, Athletic trainerAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic SurgeonsThe professional society for orthopaedic surgeons; provides education for surgeons and allied health professionals and information on bone and joint conditions and their treatment.
- ABMPLMT, Massage therapistAssociated Bodywork & Massage ProfessionalsA membership association for massage and bodywork professionals, students and educators, offering liability insurance and continuing education.
- ACADC, ChiropractorAmerican Chiropractic AssociationThe largest professional association for chiropractors in the United States.
- ACSMCPT, Personal trainerCSCS, Strength and conditioning specialistPT, Physical therapistAT, Athletic trainerAmerican College of Sports MedicineSports medicine and exercise science organization; publishes position stands.
- AMSSMAmerican Medical Society for Sports MedicineA membership organization of sports medicine physicians; publishes position statements, including on concussion in sport.
- AMTALMT, Massage therapistAmerican Massage Therapy AssociationA national professional association for massage therapists.
- AOTAOT, Occupational therapistOTA, Occupational therapy assistantAmerican Occupational Therapy AssociationThe national professional association for occupational therapy.
- APTAPT, Physical therapistPTA, Physical therapist assistantAmerican Physical Therapy AssociationThe national professional association for physical therapists and assistants.
- Clinical CompassDC, ChiropractorClinical Compass (formerly the Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters)Develops clinical practice guidelines for the chiropractic profession; known as CCGPP until 2018.
- NATAAT, Athletic trainerNational Athletic Trainers' AssociationThe professional association for athletic trainers; publishes position statements.
Regulator federations
- FCLBDC, ChiropractorFederation of Chiropractic Licensing BoardsThe federation of state chiropractic licensing boards.
- FSBPTPT, Physical therapistPTA, Physical therapist assistantFederation of State Boards of Physical TherapyThe federation of state physical therapy boards; runs the NPTE.
- FSMTBLMT, Massage therapistFederation of State Massage Therapy BoardsThe federation of state massage boards; runs the MBLEx.
Licensure compacts
- IMpactLMT, Massage therapistInterstate Massage CompactA cooperative agreement among states that lets licensed massage therapists practice in all member states with one multistate license.
- OT CompactOT, Occupational therapistOTA, Occupational therapy assistantOccupational Therapy Licensure CompactAn interstate compact for occupational therapists and assistants; a privilege to practice can be used only in member states that have opened applications, not merely enacted the law.
- PT CompactPT, Physical therapistPTA, Physical therapist assistantPhysical Therapy Licensure CompactAn interstate agreement that lets eligible physical therapists and assistants buy a privilege to practice in other member states instead of getting a separate license in each.
Exam bodies
Accreditors
- ACOTEOT, Occupational therapistOTA, Occupational therapy assistantAccreditation Council for Occupational Therapy EducationAccredits occupational therapy and assistant programs.
- CAATEAT, Athletic trainerCommission on Accreditation of Athletic Training EducationAccredits athletic training programs.
- CAPTEPT, Physical therapistPTA, Physical therapist assistantCommission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy EducationAccredits physical therapist and assistant programs.
- CCEDC, ChiropractorCouncil on Chiropractic EducationAccredits Doctor of Chiropractic programs.
- COMTALMT, Massage therapistCommission on Massage Therapy AccreditationA specialized accreditor of massage therapy, bodywork and esthetics education programs and institutions.
- NCCACPT, Personal trainerCSCS, Strength and conditioning specialistAT, Athletic trainerNational Commission for Certifying AgenciesThe accreditation body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence; accredits professional certification programs, including many fitness certifications, against its Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs.
Certifiers
- ACECPT, Personal trainerAmerican Council on ExerciseCertifies personal trainers, group fitness instructors, health coaches and medical exercise specialists, and offers continuing education.
- BOCAT, Athletic trainerBoard of Certification for the Athletic TrainerCertifies athletic trainers and sets the national practice standards.
- NASMCPT, Personal trainerNational Academy of Sports MedicineA fitness certification provider since 1987, best known for its personal trainer certification.
- NBCOTOT, Occupational therapistOTA, Occupational therapy assistantNational Board for Certification in Occupational TherapyCertifies occupational therapists and assistants through its national exam.
- NCBTMBLMT, Massage therapistNational Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & BodyworkOffers Board Certification for massage therapists, a voluntary credential beyond state licensure, and approves continuing education providers.
- NSCACSCS, Strength and conditioning specialistCPT, Personal trainerNational Strength and Conditioning AssociationCertifies strength and conditioning specialists and personal trainers; publishes position statements.
Consensus groups
International organizations
- IOCAT, Athletic trainerPT, Physical therapistCSCS, Strength and conditioning specialistInternational Olympic CommitteeThe governing body of the Olympic movement; its Medical and Scientific Commission publishes consensus statements on athlete health, from training load to mental health.
- WFCDC, ChiropractorWorld Federation of ChiropracticA global not-for-profit organization of national chiropractic associations in more than 90 countries, and a non-governmental organization in official relations with the WHO.
- WFOTOT, Occupational therapistOTA, Occupational therapy assistantWorld Federation of Occupational TherapistsThe international body for occupational therapy, representing occupational therapists worldwide and setting standards for the profession.
- WHODC, ChiropractorPT, Physical therapistOT, Occupational therapistWorld Health OrganizationThe United Nations agency for global public health; issues evidence-based guidelines, including on low back pain.
- World PhysiotherapyPT, Physical therapistPTA, Physical therapist assistantWorld PhysiotherapyThe global body for national physiotherapy associations, with 129 member organizations representing about 600,000 physiotherapists.