A number of researchers have investigated the material properties of human cortical bone and the effects of different parameters such as:​ tension, compression, age, bone density, direction dependence, regional variation, and rate dependence. Although all of the aforementioned parameters have been investigated, previous studies have focused on the long bones of the body and none have addressed more than two or three of these parameters within a single controlled study. In addition, material property testing of human cortical bone is also desirable to obtain the material properties of a specific body in order to model specific tests conducted with that body. Therefore, there is still a necessity for continued material property testing of the human skeletal system. The purpose of this study was to develop a method for preparing and testing human cortical bone coupons at dynamic rates in both tension and compression to obtain accurate, comprehensive material property data. The methods presented in this paper were developed through 195 practice tests on human tibia cortical bone. A detailed specimen preparation technique was developed to obtain cortical bone test specimens while maintaining proper specimen alignment and hydration. Methods to minimize the effects of bending due to misalignment of the test setup and test specimens were addressed. The use of a slack adapter provided constant strain rates. A strain gage, potentiometer, extensometer, laser vibrometer, and the MTS internal LVDT were evaluated for displacement measurement accuracy under static and dynamic loading. The laser vibrometer, which has nanometer scale accuracy and a high frequency response of 200 kHz, was found to be the best displacement measurement device when testing at dynamic rates. The results of the coupon tests conducted on human tibia cortical bone proved that the specimen preparation and test methods presented in this study are both accurate and precise for determining cortical bone material properties.