Which Exam Should I Take?

As someone who took both the PRPC and the WCS, I wanted to give a full breakdown of the differences and similarities of the exams.   This may help you decide which Exam is right for you.  I will review the logistical differences, and then my opinion on both.  Content for both is similar, test set up is different.  But neither exam is based on APTA vs H&W class binders.  Memorizing just the core binders is not the best preparation strategy for either. 

-Bryn Zolty

PRPC

In order to qualify for the PRPC, you must have completed 2,000 hours of licensed direct pelvic patient care within 8 years.  500 of those hours must have been completed in the last 2 years.  

Licensed practitioners include: Physical Therapist (PT), Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), Physician (MD), Registered Nurse (RN), Occupational Therapist (OT), Occupational Therapists Assistants (OTA), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine (DC), Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP), Nurse Midwives (CNM), Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND), or Physician’s Assistant (PA-C) with an active state-board license to practice, living and practicing in the United States of America, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands.

If you don’t live and practice in the United states, you can contact Herman and Wallace and find out if you qualify on a case by case basis. 

WCS

The WCS also requires 2,000 hours of direct pelvic care as a licensed practitioner.  They require it to be within the last 10 years, and 500 hours must have occurred within the last 3 years.  However, the WCS only considers licensed physical therapists.  

OR

Applicants must submit evidence of successful completion of an APTA-accredited post professional women’s health clinical residency, completed within the last 10 years.

The APTA requires a case study with the application.  Many find this to be a big undertaking and are bothered that many other PT specialties do not require the case study.  The case study ends up being lengthy to answer all of the requirements.  It requires a lot of research to provide rationale for the tests, outcome measures, and treatment interventions that were provided.  It is a good learning experience, but pick a simple case and set aside ample time to complete it. 

Major difference between PRPC and WCS requirements:

• PRPC is more inclusive of types of licensed practitioners.  The WCS only allows licensed physical therapists.  
• The WCS requires a case study submission with the application. 

PRPC

The test is available twice a year.  The spring exam window is from May 1-15th.  The fall exam window is from November 1-15th.   

WCS 

The exam window is once a year and between Feb 26-March 19th. 

Major Difference: 

• PRPC is twice a year, WCS is once. 

PRPC

If you have taken one Herman and Wallace course, there is a discounted price at $1350 and a re-exam fee of $750.  If you have not taken any of their courses, the exam price is $2250 and a fee of $1350 for a re-exam if you fail.  

Renewal price is $1100.

WCS 

The WCS offers a discounted rate if you are an APTA member.  The application cost is $535 for a member, and $880 for a nonmember if you apply before July 1.  From July 1 to Sept 1st it is 100$ more.  

Exam fee is due by Nov 1st.  That fee is $810 for a member and $1535 for a non member.  Payment options are available.

PRPC

The exam is at a testing center and will contain 150 items and 4 hours is allotted. Applicants may take restroom breaks, but the clock is continuous. 

Here is the exam breakdown:

Anatomy - 15%

Physiology - 20%

Pathophysiology - 20%

Pharmacology - 5%

Medical Interventions and Test - 5%

Tests and Measures - 5%

Interventions - 20%

Professional and Legal Requirements - 5%

25-30% of the exam items are patient case scenarios and the questions will be based on the case. 

WCS

The examination is at a testing center and is 7 hours in length. The examination is divided into the tutorial and four, 90-minute test blocks. Test takers may take a 10-minute break after the first testing block. After the second testing block test takers may take a 30-minute break. After the third testing block, test takers may take another 10-minute break. There is a total of up to 50 minutes of break time. The test will stop during the breaks and will resume following each of the scheduled breaks.

Exam breakdown:

I. Knowledge areas:

Foundation Sciences (7%) 

Clinical Sciences (7%) 

Behavioral Sciences (6%) 

II. Patient/Client Management Screening (4%) 

Examination (7%) 

Evaluation (10%) 

Diagnosis (8%) 

Prognosis (6%) 

Coordination/Communication/Documentation (2%) 

Procedural Interventions (12%) 

Outcomes (6%) 

III. Professional Practice Expectations 

Communication (3%) 

Individual and Cultural Differences (2%) 

Professional Behavior/Professional Development (2%) 

Clinical Inquiry and Clinical Decision Making/Evidence-Based Practice (8%) 

Education (2%) 

Leadership (2%) 

Social Responsibility and Advocacy (2%) 

Administration (2%) 

Consultation (2%) 

Major Differences:

• PRPC is 150 questions over 4 hours, time runs straight through breaks. WCS is 200 questions over 7 hours with dedicated breaks if you choose to take them. 
• 30% of PRPC is cases, the WCS is all cases.
• 5% of the PRPC is professional and legal issues, 25% of the WCS is professional and legal issues.  

PRPC 

Immediately, I found out as soon as I hit submit!

WCS

June 30th, long time to stress!

PRPC 

Certification is valid for 10 years.  After 10 years, those wishing to keep their certification must re-apply, sit for, and pass the exam in order to maintain PRPC

WCS

There is a maintenance schedule.  The cost is is broken into three installments of $220 with each cycle submission, plus a $100 at-cost exam fee in year 10. For members.  

Nonmembers: The total amount is broken into three installments of $400 with each MOSC cycle submission, plus a $200 exam fee in year 10.

There are arguments for both exams.  On one side the PRPC is available worldwide and more inclusive of professions.  The APTA is a board certification and that title is well recognized in our medical community.  I have also heard the argument that the APTA is supporting our profession politically, and we should be more united and active within one organization.  

This is a personal opinion.  I found the WCS to be more difficult.  The application includes the case study, which took a lot of time and research to complete.  Trying to fit in all the information required in the '15 minute reading time' was challenging for me.  The exam is longer than the PRPC, as well as the questions included multiple right answers. You must select the BEST answer.  There are no recall answers, it is all synthesis of information, so no easy questions.  Additionally, in studying, the study guide had older references as well as updates.  So staring at some questions, I wondered, when was this question written and based on what information? An older article might support a diagnostic test, and updates may no longer support that test. When was this question written?

The WCS is in March, and you find out if you passed in late June.  That wait was brutal.  Having said all that, you earn the title of Board-Certified, and that title was important to me.   The stress of the WCS was a lot for me, but I learned so much that year and made lifelong friends in my study group.  

Neither offers prep.  Seeing all of the OCS study materials made us envious.  That is why we created these practice exams, groups, and resources.  

For the PRPC I memorized my core binders and all the ancillary binders I had from Herman and Wallace.  I passed, but the exam was not memorizing my binders, I felt unprepared.  

For the WCS, I had a dedicated study group and studied constantly for a year.  Still, when I took the exam, I felt unprepared.  We have created our exam questions to make you feel prepared whether you take the PRPC or WCS.  We can’t tell you exactly what is on the exam, but we feel the topics covered will help guide you.  The formatting is just like the exam from clicking and marking questions for review to submitting.  Don’t forget to learn the information in the incorrect answers as well!  Some questions are frustrating, but that is also to prepare you.  Each exam question we wrote was based on at least 2 research articles or sources, this is how the pelvic exams are made.  

Links:

https://specialization.apta.org/become-a-specialist/candidate-guide

https://hermanwallace.com/pelvic-rehabilitation-practitioner-certification/prpc-terms-and-conditions