The mission of Hand Therapy Certification Commission, Inc. is to support a high level of competence in hand therapy practice and to advance the specialty through a formal credentialing process. The Hand Therapy Certification Commission envisions a time when every qualified therapist who treats hand and upper limb patients will become a Certified Hand Therapist. The Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential designates excellence in the field of hand therapy. For over three decades, it has been recognized as a benchmark for excellence in advanced specialty credentialing in health care. Hand therapy certification is voluntary and difficult to attain. It involves meeting rigorous standards, developing a long-range career path, and acquiring the advanced study and training required to pass the certification examination and earn the CHT credential. There are 7,570 CHTs worldwide.