I took the OCS while traveling. I am glad to have the certification. I think it has been very marketable and gotten me good travel assignments I wouldn't otherwise have gotten.
It is a hard exam and will require a lot of studying. The studying is mostly solitary, although I have seen online study groups and prep courses (Evidence in Motion has one I know of).
The 3 things I would recommend studying:
-Current Concepts in Orthopaedic PT Practice - a home study course by APTA'a Ortho Section. A new edition just came out:
https://www.orthopt.org/content/c/26_2_ ... th_edition
-Orthopedic Physical Therapy Secrets - I remember answers on the test that I knew only because I had read this book. It may appear to be a small-ish paperback, but there's a lot of words and information packed in there.
-And just generally being up-to-date in your Ortho PT practice, that's the most important thing. If you've been practicing using good evidence the past 12 years, you should do well, if not, you have some ground to make up.
The one downside to being a traveler and studying for the exam at the same time - if you aren't working in a primarily Ortho population, it can be difficult to apply new info you might learn through studying. At the same time, traveling and seeing some variety in setting may help since the test covers Ortho injury management from acute to long-term.
Hope this helps and I hope you do pursue your OCS. Start studying now!
James