A river flowing through a forest with tall evergreen trees, with snow-capped mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

Wilderness PT First Responder Certification

The Certification

Put your wilderness skills to use and learn how to combine your passion and profession. The Wilderness PT First Responder Certification helps you apply clinical PT skills to a backcountry environment. In partnership with Idaho State University, students who successfully complete this 5 part certification and an online cumulative exam will receive a Wilderness PT First Responder Certification.

Courses

Our courses are designed for physical therapists, other medical professionals, and those who are interested in emergency wilderness care. Each course may be taken as a stand-alone for CEUs. A Wilderness PT First Responder certification (WPT-FR) is awarded to qualifying individuals upon successful completion of all online courses, an in-person course, and a final examination.

Two women attending to a person lying on the ground in a forested area, with trees and greenery in the background.

Trauma in the Backcountry
(.5 CEU) -online

5 contact hours (.5 PT-CEUs)
This is a self-paced online course with 90-day access.
$150.00
See here for information about the course and on how to enroll.

A person hiking in a desert canyon with steep, layered red and pink sandstone cliffs on either side.

Intro to Wilderness Physical Therapy
(.5 CEU) - online

5 contact hours (.5 PT-CEU)
This is a self-paced online course with 90-day access.
$150.00
See here for information about the course and on how to enroll.

A yellow helicopter with registration N26HX on a grassy field, with a mountain range and pine trees in the background. A person in a yellow jacket and helmet is sitting on the ground near the helicopter, next to a red emergency bag.

Medical Problems in the Backcountry
(.4 CEU)- online

4 contact hours (.4 PT-CEUs)
This is a self-paced online course with 90-day access.
$125.00
See here for information about the course and on how to enroll.

Two climbers wearing helmets and backpacks ascending a snow-covered slope with mountain rocks in the background.

Environmental Factors in the Wilderness
(.6 CEU) - online

6 contact hours (.6 PT-CEUs)
This is a self-paced online course with 90-day access.
$180.00
See here for information about the course and on how to enroll.

Group of people sitting on the ground in a forest, listening to a man in a plaid shirt and cap giving a presentation or lecture, with backpacks and outdoor gear around them.

Traversing Wilderness PT
(2.0 CEU)- in-person

March 20-22, 2026: Sesquicentennial State Park, Columbia, SC
September 25-27, 2026: Mink Creek Group Campsite, Pocatello, Idaho
20 contact hours (2.0 PT-CEU)
Explore and Learn Outside!
In this in-person course we are on the trail for hands-on, scenario-based Wilderness Physical Therapy instruction. This three day course teaches innovative treatment approaches onsite in the backcountry. Group campsites are available to all participants at Mink Creek Group Campsite (Read more).
Price: $675.00. The course fee includes 2.0 CEUs, all course materials, park access, and a campsite.
** Prerequisite required: Online Course 1 - Introduction to Wilderness PT and a current CPR/AED certification.