EXAM INFORMATION
The information below outlines the structure of NAIOMT exam and certification process. Please note the it is NOT necessary to take NAIOMT exams unless you are pursuing certification or want to go on to Level IV coursework. A Level III certification (or equivalent) is required to enroll on Level IV coursework. You can find a complete explanation of the Level IV pre-requisites on the course description page.
The NAIOMT examinations follow core courses 500-800 (Levels I-IV).
A certificate is granted after successful completion of the Level II exams. Level III Exams include a written exam, submission of case studies, and an oral/practical exam. The physical therapist earns a certification and may use the NAIOMT initials CMPT (NAIOMT certified manual physical therapist) after successful completing all the Level III exams. Successful completion of the online exams are required to apply for the Level III exams.
For Level IV certification, a student must successfully complete all NAIOMT exams.
After completion of the Level IV Oral Practical exam, the physical therapist may use the initials COMT (NAIOMT-certified orthopaedic manual/manipulative therapist). The COMT may undertake Instructor or Clinical Fellowship Instructor training with NAIOMT.
The three established levels of examinations are designed to be taken at the conclusion of preceding course work and in sequence. However, a student may challenge an examination without completing the entire course work, although this is not recommended.
Please note:
Andrews University Students working toward a NAIOMT Certification should contact the NAIOMT Exam Coordinator for details regarding financial and academic obligations.
Exam Process and Scheduling
Written exams are generally scheduled at least twice a year. Level III Case Studies are due on the same dates. The Level III and IV practical exams are also offered at least twice a year. If there are a number of students in one area that are interested in taking the practical exam, these may be arranged regionally. Six months notice is required to schedule a regional practical exam.
Examination dates are set by the examination committee and administered by the examination coordinator. Examination costs and dates may be found on the current examination schedule. It is important to honor all deadline dates when applying for an examination.
Site coordinators and volunteer models assist the oral practical examination coordination. Volunteer proctors assist the written examinations. Candidates taking the written examinations obtain their own proctors. NAIOMT will have final approval of proctor selection.
Informative exam packets may be obtained from the examination coordinator. These individual packets contain examples of past examinations and/or case history guidelines.
Contact the exam coordinator for more information at (541) 344-4777 or Email Exam Coordinator
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Online Internet Exams
Exams Available Online:
- I-test 500
- I-test 600
- I-test 610
Prerequisites: None
Recommendations: Levels I and II curriculum
Scheduling: Exams are generally offered five times per year and can be taken all together or separately as the candidate chooses. Candidates must register and pay online before the deadline. Candidates may choose any location with a computer and internet access.
Format:
- Each I-test consists of a 100 questions, focusing on the material covered in the course of the same number (i.e. I-test 500 covers material from level I/500 course)
- Questions will be in multiple choice, true/false and matching formats.
- The pass mark for each I-test will be 70%
- Tests must be proctored by an individual who can verify appropriate testing conditions and administer the exam. See FAQs for more info
- For a full explanation and sample questions you can download our Guide to Taking I-Tests.
General Information :
- Each I-test is designed to be taken after completion of the NAIOMT course work
- A “Level II” certificate of successful completion will be sent at the end of completion of all three (3) I-tests
- Completion of these I-tests is recommended but NOT required before taking Level III (700, 710, 720) classes
- Proof of completion of the three I-tests (500,600,610) is needed before applying to any part of the NAIOMT Level III examination process that leads to NAIOMT certification.
- Completion of the Level II examination or the three I-tests does NOT permit the candidate to state they are “NAIOMT certified”. Certification within NAIOMT is only awarded after completing the Level III and Level IV examinations.
- There is no limit to the number of times you can register, submit the I-test fee and take the I-test and no limit as to how many different I-tests you can take on the one I-test-day. However, you cannot repeat an I-test on the same day.
- The online exams are equally as challenging as the old written version. Of the 117 exams taken in 2007 the approximate grade distribution was as follows:
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• Pass with Distinction (A, 90%+): 2% of exams
• Good Pass (B, 80%+): 26% of exams
• Pass (C, 70%+): 56% of exams
• Non Pass (D, <70%): 16% of exams |
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Level III Exams
Prerequisites: Pass Preliminary Examinations (online exam series)
Recommendations: Levels I, II and III course work
Scope: Levels I, II and III curriculum, sciences, examination methods, treatment protocols,and techniques.
The following exams may be taken in any order:
- Three written case histories
- Three-hour written essay style exam
- One and one-half hour, four station
oral practical exam. Minimum of 2-4
examiners and one physician examiner
Scheduling: Twice annually (written and case history)
Location: Oral practical held yearly in June and December and may be held
at major NAIOMT sites as demand dictates and coincides with a senior examiner teaching in town.
Proctor: Refer to Online Exams FAQ #9, #10
Fees & dates: Refer to current exam schedule on web site.
Once any portion of the LIII exam has been taken, the candidate has five years to complete the remaining two portions.
A certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the Intermediate Exams. The physical therapist is now a Certified Manual Physical Therapist and can use the initials CMPT.
2007 Grade Distributions:
Of the 30 written exams taken in 2007 the approximate grade distribution was as follows:
• Pass with Distinction (A, 90%+): 6.5% of exams
• Good Pass (B, 80%+): 40% of exams
• Pass (C, 70%+): 47% of exams
• Non Pass (D, <70%): 6.5% of exams
Of the 112 individual case histories submitted in 2007 the approximate grade distribution was as follows:
• Pass (70%+): 89% of submissions
• Non Pass (<70%): 11% of submissions
Of the 50 Intermediate Oral Practical Examinations taken the approximate grade distribution was as follows:
• Pass with Distinction (A, 90%+): 26% of exams
• Good Pass (B, 80%+): 48% of exams
• Pass (C, 70%+): 18% of exams
• Non Pass (D, <70% or safety fail): 8% of exams
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Level IV Exams
Prerequisites: Pass all three Intermediate (LIII) Exams
Recommendations: Levels I, II,III and IV curriculum, sciences
examination and treatment protocols & techniques including spinal manipulation (thrust)
Format: One and one-half hour four-station oral practical
exam. Oral practical exams have a minimum of 2-4
examiners & one physician examiner.
Fees & dates: Refer to current examination schedule
A certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the Advanced
Examination. The physical therapist is now a Certified Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapist and can use the initials COMT.
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Grading
For the following examinations:
- Original style Level II written, Level III Essay written, Level III Case Studies
- Level III Oral Practical examination
- Levels I, II, and III Internet examinations
- Andrews University transfer of examination credits
Examination grades will be:
| Pass |
> 70% |
grade C |
| Good Pass |
> 80% |
grade B |
| With Distinction |
> 90% |
grade A |
The Pass mark will be 70% or above.The Good Pass or ?B? grade is important for those candidates using the NAIOMT exams for credits to advanced degrees, as it is a minimum grade for earning credits.
For the Advanced Level IV Examinations:
- Level IV Advanced Oral Practical
Examination grades will be:
| Pass |
> 80% |
grade B |
| With Distinction |
>90% |
grade A |
The Pass mark will be 80% or above. This mark will meet University credit standards.
For more information about the exam process, contact our Exam Coordinator.
Telephone: 1-541-344-4777
Fax: 1-541-344-4777
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