OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST CERTIFICATION

CMOT Certification for Occupational Therapists

Upper Quadrant Manual Therapy Certification Tailored for OTs

Master advanced manual therapy techniques of the upper quadrant with NAIOMT's Certification in Manual Therapy for Occupational Therapists (CMOT). Screen for pathology, make differential diagnoses, and transform your clinical practice.

Why CMOT? Course Pathway Upcoming Courses 2025-2026 Schedule

Why Choose CMOT Certification?

Elevate your practice with specialized upper quadrant expertise

Fine-Tune Manual Techniques

Develop advanced hands-on skills specifically designed for upper quadrant treatment, from cervical spine to distal extremity.

Clinical Differential Diagnosis

Strengthen your ability to make musculoskeletal differential diagnoses and screen for serious pathology requiring medical referral.

Integrated Upper Quadrant

Learn to integrate the entire upper quadrant—cervical spine, shoulder girdle, elbow, wrist, and hand—for comprehensive patient care.

Complex Patient Management

Develop skills to manage complex patient conditions including cancer, double crush syndrome, cervical radiculopathy, and more.

Flexible Course Path

Take the first 3 courses as standalone learning or apply them toward full CMOT certification—the choice is yours.

CMOT Credential

Earn the Certified Manual Orthopedic Therapist credential, demonstrating your advanced expertise to patients and employers.

CMOT Course Pathway

Five courses plus an oral practical exam lead to your CMOT certification

Flexible Start: C-416, C-426, and C-436 can be taken in any order and work as standalone courses. If you decide to pursue certification, they count toward your credential.

C-416

Standalone or Certification

Screening for Cervical Spine Pathology

Case-based course addressing patho-anatomy and clinical recognition patterns of the cervical spine. Learn to arrive at sound clinical impressions and when to refer to a physical therapist.

21 Hours 14 Live + 7 Online

C-426

Standalone or Certification

The Functional Girdle

Dedicated to management and treatment of the Shoulder Girdle and related structures (SC/AC/Scapulothoracic/Glenohumeral). Learn step-by-step examination leading to pain generators.

21 Hours 14 Live + 7 Online

C-436

Standalone or Certification

The Distal Upper Extremity

Comprehensive examination and treatment of elbow/forearm/wrist and hand. Master musculoskeletal examination including stress testing and biomechanical assessment.

21 Hours 14 Live + 7 Online

C-446

Certification Track

Integration of the Upper Quadrant

Case-based instruction for advanced clinical reasoning. Move beyond initial diagnoses to detailed exploration of etiology including neural tissue and cervical/thoracic biomechanics.

21 Hours 14 Live + 7 Online

Prerequisites: C-416, C-426, C-436

C-456

Certification Track

Upper Quadrant Skills & Techniques

Refinement of manual/manipulative techniques for implementation of NAIOMT Upper Quadrant theory. Includes preparation and discussion for the oral practical exam.

14 Hours 2 Days On-Site

Prerequisites: C-416, C-426, C-436, C-446

C-430

Final Exam

Oral Practical Exam

Demonstrate your mastery through the comprehensive oral practical examination. This exam tests your clinical reasoning and manual therapy skills.

Virtual via Zoom Scheduled Annually

Prerequisites: All 5 Courses

Case Study

Final Requirement

Case Study Submission

Complete a comprehensive case study demonstrating your ability to apply CMOT principles to a real patient. Successfully passing both the exam and case study earns you the CMOT credential.

CMOT Credential Written Submission

Prerequisites: C-430 Oral Practical Exam

Student Success

Hear from a CMOT Graduate

Discover how CMOT certification transformed Alan's practice and patient outcomes.

Alan Kaplan, MOT, OTR, CHT, CMOT shares his experience with the NAIOMT Occupational Therapy certification program and how it elevated his clinical skills.

Upcoming CMOT Courses

C-446 Integration of the Upper Quadrant for OT's

This course will utilize case-based instruction to illustrate specific conditions of the integrated upper quadrant and the decision... View Full Description

Dallas, TX

03/25/2026

Jason Winburne, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

C-456 Upper Quadrant Skills and Techniques for OT's

The Occupational Therapist entry level education does not emphasize manual/manipulative techniques of the upper quadrant. Therefore a course... View Full Description

Dallas, TX

05/30/2026

Michael Lucido, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT/Jason Winburne, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

2025-2026 CMOT Schedule

Dallas, Texas – Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation

Current Cohort Schedule

C-416: Screening for Cervical Spine Pathology

February 22-23, 2025

C-426: The Functional Girdle

May 31 - June 1, 2025

C-436: The Distal Upper Extremity

September 6-7, 2025

C-446: Integration of the Upper Quadrant

March 25-26, 2026

C-456: Upper Quadrant Skills & Techniques

May 30-31, 2026

C-430: Oral Practical Exam

August 29, 2026

Registration Deadline: July 18, 2026

Case Study Due

November 13, 2026

Registration Deadline: September 25, 2026

Ready to Get Started?

Michael Lucido, PT, DPT

NAIOMT Faculty
BSW Outpatient Education Director

[email protected] 214.500.4744

Susan Windsor

NAIOMT Courses & Events Coordinator

[email protected]

Your Complete Pathway to Mastery in Physical Therapy

NAIOMT provides a complete, seamless post-professional education pathway for physical therapists wanting to become experts in clinical reasoning. From individual courses to certification programs, residency, and fellowship—we help manual physical therapists achieve the highest standards of clinical practice.

View All Courses

Questions about your pathway? Contact us here

What Our Students Say

Real Results from Real Therapists

I recently attended the COMT-5 Lower Extremity Manual Therapy course and it exceeded my expectations. The instructors were knowledgeable and supportive, and the course content was thorough and practical. The course has improved my manipulation and exercise skills, and I'm seeing immediate changes in my practice.

The COMT-1 Lumbar Spine Manual Therapy course was an excellent opportunity for me to refine my skills in differential diagnosis, manipulation, and exercise techniques. The course content was well-organized, and the instructors were engaging and supportive. I saw immediate changes in my practice.

The Trigger Point Dry Needling course exceeded my expectations. The instructors were passionate and experienced, and the course content was both informative and practical. The course has improved my clinical reasoning skills and I'm confident in my ability to use dry needling as an effective treatment modality.

I recently completed the COMT-4 Upper Extremity Manual Therapy course, and it was an incredible experience. The instructors were knowledgeable and supportive, and the course content was well-organized and detailed. The practical exercises were challenging but rewarding.

As a physical therapist, attending the COMT-2 Cervical Spine Manual Therapy course was a game-changer. The course content was comprehensive and well-structured. I've gained new insights into the cervical spine's anatomy, and the techniques I learned have helped me provide better care to my patients.

Attending the COMT-3 Thoracic Spine Manual Therapy course was a fantastic learning experience for me. The instructors were supportive and caring, and the course content was well-organized and comprehensive. I gained new skills in differential diagnosis and exercise techniques.