ABC's Certified Orthotist and Prosthetist Scope of Practice details the specific functions of certified practitioners. This includes patient assessment, formulation of a treatment plan, implementation of a treatment plan, follow-up and practice management.

 Additionally, certified practitioners are required to support and conform to the ABC Code of Professional Responsibility which promotes and assures the overall welfare of the patient and the integrity of the profession.  ​

​The International Society for Prosthetics ​and Orthotics (ISPO) ​has awarded ABC and the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE)​ Category I recognition. 

The Category I recognition validates the ABC/NCOPE pathway for its Certified Prosthetist Orthotist certification program. With this recognition the ABC/NCOPE CPO pathway is recognized throughout the world as having met the highest international educational standards in existence today. ABC is the only credentialing body in the United States to receive Category I recognition from ISPO.  

You must meet the following eligibility requirements to be eligible to take the ABC practitioner certification exams. Please refer to the ABC Practitioner Candidate Guide ​for specific eligibility requirements.

There are two pathways for certification:

Combined Discipline Written Exam Pathway

You may pursue this pathway if you are a recent graduate of an orthotic and prosthetics master's degree program. The education requirement detailed below is required for eligibility. A clinical residency is required for eligibility for the single discipline simulation and CPM exams.

​Single Discipline Pathway

You may pursue this pathway after you have completed both the education and clinical residency requirements detailed below. In this pathway, your exams are specific to the discipline you are applying for, either Orthotics or Prosthetics.

Education Requirements (both pathways)

• ​A master's degree in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program or​​

• A foreign degree equivalent to a master's degree in orthotics and prosthetics (World Education Service (WES) Credential Evaluation)

Clinical Residency (single discipline pathway)

• ​Completion of a 12 or 18 month National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) accredited residency program. ​

​Once you have met the eligibility requirements, submit your application online.

You can take your exams in any order, except for the combined Written exam which is taken before your residency completion.

You will need the following documentation, which can uploaded to your online dashboard once you start the application process or you can email certification@abcop.org. 

• Official master's degree transcript

• A World Education Service (WES) Credential Evaluation (only applicable if you received your education in a foreign country.) 

For more information regarding the application process, please refer to the ABC Practitioner Candidate Guide.

Retaking an Exam or Registering for an Additional Exam:  Submit your registration online​.​

Written Multiple Choice Exam
The three-hour, 165 question, multiple choice exam assesses your knowledge of patient and practice management. Knowledge assessed on the written exam includes anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, disease process, pathologies, material science, ethics and professionalism.

Combined O&P Written Multiple Choice Exam
The three and a half hour, 200 question, multiple choice exam assesses your knowledge of patient management. Knowledge assessed on the exam includes anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, disease process, pathologies, prescription criteria, material science, ethics and professionalism.

Simulation Exam
The three-hour interactive exam uses seven simulated case scenarios to test your analytic and clinical problem solving skills. The cases include topics such as prescription criteria, device recommendation, technical implementation and follow-up protocols.​

The Written and Simulation exams are computer based and offered every other month at 350 Prometric testing center locations nationwide. Check out the testing locations in your area.  

Clinical Patient Management (CPM) Exam
There are three hands-on practical assessments​ of your knowledge and skills through direct examiner and patient model interaction in a clinical environment. You must perform specific tasks while demonstrating and describing the orthotic or prosthetic recommendation, fitting criteria, patient instructions and follow-up plans involved in the provision of care.   

The CPM hands-on practical exam is offered three times a year at the ABC Testing Center in Tampa, Fla.

Exam Preparation
We created numerous resources to help you prepare for your ABC practitioner certification exams. Please click here ​to access these resources​.​

Fees:  The following fees are required for each discipline 

Single Discipline Pathway

Combined Discipline Written Exam​ Pathway

Annual Fee (required once certification is awarded): $275 and will be prorated for your first year.  Due by December 1st.

Written a​nd Simulation Exam Dates and Deadlines

Exam Locations: The exams are offered at over 350 ​locations nationwide. Check out the testing locations in your area.

Important Reminder:  You may apply for the combined Written exam immediately after graduation; however, you must complete your residency by the residency deadline of your desired exam cycle.  We will allow an additional 30 days after the residency deadline for NCOPE to mark your residency complete.

Clinical Patient Management (CPM) Exam Dates and Deadlines

Exam Location:  The CPM exams will be held at the ABC Testing Center in Tampa, FL. All CPM exam dates are tentative. You should not make travel arrangements until ABC has notified you of the day and time of your exam.​

• ​​​Single Discipline Pathway (CO or CP) FAQs​

• Combined Discipline Written Exam Pathway​ (CPO) FAQs​​​