The Hand Therapy Certification Commission, Inc., (HTCC) is a not-for-profit corporation established in 1989 for the purpose of sponsoring a voluntary credentialing program. From its inception, the Board of Directors of HTCC envisioned a two-step process of Certification and Recertification. Recertification provides assurance to the public that the Certified Hand Therapist continues to meet the high standards set by HTCC. It is the personal responsibility of each Certified Hand Therapist to maintain their certification in order to demonstrate current knowledge and skills. Continuing competency is promoted through a systematic plan of learning and professional activities. Continuing education programs, independent study, research, teaching, and promoting professional practice may be used to meet the continuing education requirements. In addition, a therapist must document continued work experience in the profession to demonstrate current practice skills. A therapist may recertify by examination as an alternate method of demonstrating current knowledge. Because of changes in the profession, every CHT is required to demonstrate continued professional development and competency by recertifying every five years.