A desert scene with rocky hills, sparse desert plants, and Joshua trees under a blue sky with wispy clouds.

Wilderness Physical Therapy

Master Class

About the Class

This hybrid 4.0 CEU approved course (40 contact hours) presents a unique opportunity for PTs who love the outdoors to learn to use their skills in the rapidly growing field of Wilderness Physical Therapy. Prior to the in-person component of this course, participants will complete 11 hours of online training that includes, “Intro to Wilderness Physical Therapy” and “Environmental Factors in Wilderness Physical Therapy.” The in-person component of this course will be onsite in the beautiful backcountry of Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California. During this onsite time, small-group, scenario-based teaching approaches will be used to assist participants in problem-solving while developing innovative treatment approaches for people who become injured or ill in backcountry environments. Course participants will have the option of camping at the park or lodging in nearby hotels.

This Immersive Master Class will emphasize clinical reasoning in the wilderness environment, knowledge for specialty practice, professionalism, leadership, and patient management. Successful completion of this course will enable participants to take the examination for Wilderness Physical Therapy Educators Certification as Wilderness Physical Therapist First Responder.

Dates: February 8-11, 2026
Location: Joshua Tree National Park

APTA CSM and Wilderness PT Educators combined partnership logo.

What’s Included

Wilderness PT- FR Certification

Participants who successfully complete the course will earn a Wilderness PT First Responder Certification through Wilderness Physical Therapy Educators.

Lodging

We have secured campsites for all participants of the course. Bring your camping gear. You may also use alternative lodging and commute to the class.

Skill Cards & CEUs

We provide useful course cards and references that will aid you throughout the course and along your Wilderness PT journey thereafter. This course is approved for 4.0 CEUs (40 contact hours).

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More Information

  • See our course brochure for more information including a detailed schedule and pack list.

  • The Wilderness Physical Therapist First Responder Certification (WPT-FR) is awarded to participants who successfully complete the online and in-person components of the master class and pass a final exam. This prestigious certification is valid for 3 years.

  • The Master Class is approved for 4.0 CEUs (40 contact hours). These 40 hours are comprised of 11 online hours and 29 in-person hours. Participants are expected to complete the online portion prior to the in-person.

    Here is the breakdown:
    - Intro to Wilderness Physical Therapy (5 hours, online)
    - Environmental Factors in the Wilderness (6 hours, online)
    - In-Person Instruction at Joshua Tree (February 8-11, 2026)

    Access to the online modules opens October 15, 2025 for registered participants.

  • Onsite camping at Joshua Tree National Park is available to all participants at no extra cost. Those camping are expected to bring their own camping supplies. Alternatively, participants may choose to find alternative lodging in the area.

Meet the Instructors

Registration

This course is offered in partnership with the APTA as a Wilderness Physical Therapy Immersive Course before CSM. There is a two-step registration process for the course. First, pay the Master Class course fee on this webpage. To complete enrollment, you then must go to APTA’s page to pay the registration fee. You are not officially registered for the class unless both payments are completed.

A group of people conducting a first aid training or emergency medical drill in a forest, with a person lying on a blanket and others attending to them.

Questions?

Visit our FAQ page or email hello@wildernesspted.com.