SPORTS RESIDENCY PROGRAM

NAIOMT Sports Residency Program

Elevate Your Career in Sports Physical Therapy

A unique, comprehensive residency program designed to facilitate and develop your expertise in working with athletes. Blend didactic coursework, in-person labs, clinical mentoring, and extensive athletic venue coverage.

2026 Application Window Now Open!

Application Deadline: May 1, 2026
Start Date: July 6, 2026
Submit Your Application

Program Overview

A comprehensive pathway to sports physical therapy specialization

The NAIOMT Sports Residency is a unique program designed to facilitate and develop your expertise in working with athletes. Our comprehensive program blends didactic coursework, in-person labs, 150+ hours of 1:1 clinical mentoring, and over 200 hours of athletic venue coverage.

Dive into the intricacies of sports physical therapy through engaging didactic sessions, covering advanced topics and contemporary insights in the field. Our in-person labs provide a hands-on, immersive experience, allowing you to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting.

Experience growth in your clinical skillset with personalized 1:1 clinical mentoring. The program's mentors are seasoned professionals and experts in the field, offering invaluable guidance as you refine your skills and build confidence in evaluating and treating athletes.

Step onto the field with confidence through our extensive athletic venue coverage opportunities, providing you with 200+ hours of exposure to various sports environments. This unique opportunity allows you to work directly with a diverse range of athletes, enhancing your ability to provide efficient and effective screening, evaluation, and treatment.

Program Requirements

2,000 Total Program Hours

300
Minimum Educational Hours

Didactic coursework and in-person labs

1,500
Minimum Patient-Care Hours

Direct clinical experience with patients

150
Minimum 1:1 Mentoring Hours

Personalized guidance from experts

200
Athletic Venue Coverage

Field experience with diverse athletes

Mission Statement

"To advance sports physical therapist practice by providing intentional and innovative education, cultivating clinical excellence in physical therapists in holistic and eclectic rehabilitation of the athlete."

Program Outcomes

Tracking our inaugural cohort's success

100%
Completion Rate
100%
Retention Rate
TBD
SCS Pass Rate
TBD
Presentations
TBD
Publications

Meet the Faculty

Learn from experienced sports physical therapy specialists

Program Director
Riley Ratliff, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS, TSACF

Riley Ratliff

PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS, TSACF

Riley Ratliff graduated from Hardin-Simmons University with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2020. He went on to pursue a career in Sports Physical Therapy earning his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator in 2022 and 2024 respectively. He became a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy in 2023.

Riley has worked in outpatient orthopaedics and sports since 2020. He has been an assistant instructor for NAIOMT's Sports Manual Therapy course teaching nationally and internationally. He is a team physical therapist for McKinney North High School and for the CrossFit Games. He served as faculty for the inaugural cohort of NAIOMT's Sports Residency Program.

Program Coordinator
Chelsea Petska, PT, DPT, SCS

Chelsea Petska

PT, DPT, SCS

Chelsea Petska graduated from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2018. She went on to pursue a career in Sports Physical Therapy and become a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy in 2024.

Chelsea has worked in outpatient orthopedics and sports since 2018. She has served as adjunct faculty for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and University of St. Augustine's Doctor of Physical Therapy programs as well as an assistant instructor for NAIOMT's Sports Manual Therapy Course internationally. She is the team physical therapist for McKinney Boyd High School and does outreach with local gymnastics gym. She served as faculty for the inaugural cohort of NAIOMT's Sports Residency Program.

Have Questions?

For more information about the Sports Residency Program, please fill out the form below.

Our Clinical Partners

Partnering with leading organizations to provide exceptional training opportunities

Clinical Partners

We partner with leading healthcare organizations, universities, and sports teams to provide diverse clinical experiences.

Ready to Elevate Your Career?

Join NAIOMT's Sports Residency and embark on a journey that goes beyond traditional training. Make a lasting impact in the dynamic world of sports physical therapy.

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.

Questions about your pathway? Contact us here

What Our Students Say

Real Results from Real Therapists

COURSE LOCATIONS & CLINICAL PARTNERS

NAIOMT COMT course partner Messiah University NAIOMT COMT course partner Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy NAIOMT COMT course partner New Heights Physical Therapy NAIOMT COMT course partner Touro College NAIOMT COMT course partner Centura Health NAIOMT COMT course partner BaylorScott & White Institute for Rehabilitation NAIOMT COMT course partner PRN NAIOMT COMT course partner Marathon Physical Therapy NAIOMT COMT course partner Phoenix Physical Therapy NAIOMT COMT course partner Advanced Kinetics Physical Therapy NAIOMT COMT course partner California NAIOMT COMT course partner Rehab Authority NAIOMT COMT course partner Vista Physical Therapy NAIOMT COMT course partner Armada Physical Therapy NAIOMT COMT course partner Kelly Hawkins Physical Therapy NAIOMT COMT course partner Highline Physical Therapy NAIOMT COMT course partner Summit Rehabilitation NAIOMT COMT course partner 360 Physical Therapy NAIOMT COMT course partner Action Potential Physical Therapy NAIOMT COMT course partner In Reach Physical Therapy NAIOMT COMT course partner Pro Active Physical Therapy NAIOMT COMT course partner Therapy Alliance NAIOMT COMT course partner Pacific Rehabilitation and Sports Therapy NAIOMT COMT course partner Harter Physical Therapy NAIOMT COMT course partner Granite State Physical Therapy NAIOMT COMT course partner The Physical Therapy Effect NAIOMT COMT course partner Core Physical Therapy NAIOMT COMT course partner Corvallis & Albany Sports & Spine Physical Therapy