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 system works slightly differently for Andrew's University students. Please see information below.

NAIOMT is now offering students interested in certification the option to take their preliminary (Level I, Level II UQ, Level IILQ) tests online.The successful completion of these three tests will be in place of the traditional written Level II Exam as outlined below. The remainder of the certification process will be unchanged. For more information on the Online Exam system you may click the link below.

This is an important notice pertaining to the phasing out of the LII Written Examination.

At the onset of the internet tests NAIOMT planned to run both the LII written and LI and LII online test options simultaneously for two years.  NAIOMT's online LI and LII tests have gone extremely well. Therefore, NAIOMT is proceeding with the plan to eliminate the LII written examination option in 2008.  March 1, 2008 will be the last opportunity to choose the LII written examination option for testing out of the LI and LII material.  
If you have any questions or concerns please contact the NAIOMT examination coordinator at 541-344-4777 voice mail/fax or email to exams@naiomt.com

Online Exams

Exam Schedule

Certification and Exam Process

Exam Grading

The NAIOMT examinations follow core courses 600/610-800 (Levels II-IV). The Level II Written Exam (600/610) covers material from Levels I and II. 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 Level II written exam is required to apply for the Level III exams.

For a Level IV certification, a student must successfully take the Level II and all Level III 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. A student however, may challenge an examination without completing the entire course work, although this is not recommended.

Andrews University Students working toward a NAIOMT Certification should contact the Exam Coordinator early with your desires to pursue NAIOMT Certification. This is important so that you are provided with the appropriate paper work that will inform you of all financial and academic obligations. This same paper work is available from your department secretary at Andrew's University. Contact information for the Exam Coordinator is given at the bottom of this page.

Written exams are usually 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 or solicited from the examination coordinator. 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, current examination dates and a video order form.

Contact the exam coordinator for more information at (541) 344-4777 or Email Exam Coordinator

This is an important notice pertaining to the phasing out of the LII Written Examination.

At the onset of the internet tests NAIOMT planned to run both the LII written and LI and LII online test options simultaneously for two years.  NAIOMT's online LI and LII tests have gone extremely well. Therefore, NAIOMT proceeded with the plan to eliminate the LII written examination option in 2008.  March 1, 2008 was the last opportunity to choose the LII written examination option for testing out of the LI and LII material.  
If you have any questions or concerns please contact the NAIOMT examination coordinator at 541-344-4777 voice mail/fax or email to exams@naiomt.com

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Prerequisites: Pass Preliminary Examination
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 & one physician examiner

Scheduling: Twice annually (written and case history)
Location: Oral practical held yearly in June or held at major NAIOMT sites as demand dictates & coincides with a Senior examiner teaching in town.
Proctor: Refer to LII information
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

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.

Grading System

NAIOMT has elected to change our grading system to bring us more in line with university and United States grading systems.
The following grading system is effective May 1, 2004
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
• Level IV Internet Exams

Examination grades will be:

Pass/Good 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.

Certification Information

Exam Schedule

Exam Registration