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Practitioner Program

ABC practitioner certification is awarded as an attestation of competency for the public, those who require orthotic/prosthetic services, and those in other health professions. The awarding of ABC practitioner certification provides the certified practitioner with an appropriate and meaningful recognition of professional competence.

Eligibility Requirements:

Candidates for ABC practitioner certification may meet one of two pathways, the traditional pathway or the unique qualifications pathway. A complete description of the eligibility requirements may be found in the Practitioner Book of Rules and the Unique Qualifications Book of Rules.

Traditional Pathway:

• A baccalaureate degree in orthotics and prosthetics -or-

• A baccalaureate degree in any major and an orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program -and-

• A 12-month NCOPE accredited residency program.

Unique Qualifications Pathway:

ABC announces the Board of Director's decision to end the Unique Qualifications (UQ) pathways for the Certified Practitioner credential (UQ 10 Experiential and UQ 5 Extension of Credential). Individuals that wish to apply for practitioner certification through these pathways must meet all eligibility requirements and application deadlines as of December 31, 2008. The board's decision reaffirms ABC's commitment to education and formal clinical residency as the professional pathway towards practitioner certification.

For additional information, please see the corresponding news release or contact Samlane Ketevong, ABC's certification manager, at 703-836-7114, ext. 221 or .

Current Unique Qualifications eligibility criteria is as follows:

• First ABC practitioner credential:

  • Ten years of active clinical patient care -and-

  • High school diploma or GED and 15 collegiate semester credit hours (3 semester credits each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, 6 semester credits of Human Anatomy and Physiology) -and-

  • Evidence of participation in continuing education.

  • The application requires evidence of experience through comprehensive case history reports and six letters of recommendation.

• Extension of ABC practitioner credential:

  • Five years of active clinical patient care with a minimum of 2,600 hours spent in the discipline seeking credential -and-

  • Participation in good standing in the ABC Mandatory Continuing Education Program for presently certified discipline.

  • The application requires evidence of experience through comprehensive case history reports and six letters of recommendation.

Fees:

• Application: $250

• Written Exam: $250

• Written Simulation Exam: $250

• Clinical Patient Management Exam: $600

2008 Certified Practitioner Exams

Upon being registered for the exam, candidates will be sent all logistical information concerning site locations for the written and written simulation exams. Following application approval, candidates will have the opportunity to select their test location from over 150 sites nationwide.

Exam Content:

The ABC examinations are based on the Practice Analysis of the Disciplines of Orthotics and Prosthetics. This document is based on a survey conducted by a task force of ABC certified practitioners of the daily activities of certified practitioners. Five domains of practice as well as specific tasks, knowledge and skill statements were identified and are used to construct examinations. The five domains of practice are: Patient Assessment, Formulation of the Treatment Plan, Implementation of the Treatment Plan, Follow-up Treatment Plan, and Practice Management. Copies of the Practice Analysis are available from ABC at no cost.

Credentials Awarded:

Practitioners who successfully complete the education, clinical experience and examination requirements prescribed by ABC are conferred the credentials of Certified Orthotist (CO) or Certified Prosthetist (CP). The credential of Certified Prosthetist-Orthotist (CPO) is conferred upon those practitioners whose responsibilities conform to those of both orthotists and prosthetists and who successfully fulfill all of the requirements in both disciplines.

Application Forms:

Practitioner Certification Application (first-time applicants)
Practitioner Exam Registration (for candidates re-taking exams)
Unique Qualifications Application

ABC Credentialing Program Staff: