Additionally, the certified assistant is required to support and conform to the ABC Co​de of Professional Responsibility which promotes and assures the overall welfare of the patient and the integrity of the profession.

​You must meet the following specific education and experience requirements to be eligible to take the ABC Assistant Certification Exam. For more information regarding the eligibility criteria, please reference the ABC Assistant Book of Rules & Candidate Guide.

Education

• ​​Possess a high school diploma, GED or college degree and

• ​Successfully complete three semester hours each of the following courses.  Each course must be from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning. ​

• ​​​Human Anatomy
• ​​​​​General/Fundamental Physics
• ​​​Medical Terminology

If you received your education in a foreign country, please refer to the AB​C Assistant Book of Rules and Candidate Guide  for specific eligibility requirements.

Experience

• ​For certification in one discipline, you must complete of one year of clinical experience (a minimum of 1,900 hours) under the supervision of an ABC Certified Orthotist or Prosthetist to coincide with the discipline in which you are seeking certification.

• If you are seeking dual discipline certification, you must complete 18 months of clinical experience in both orthotics and prosthetics with a minimum of six months in each discipline. 

How to Apply:  You may apply by using one of the following methods.

• Apply Online​ or
• Complete the ABC Certified Assistant Application (fillable PDF) 

Required Documentation:  Include the following​ with your application

• An official transcript verifying completion of the required courses and
• ​The Assistant Compe​tency Attestation form

Retaking the Examination: You can register to retake the exam by using one of the following methods.

• Apply Online​​ or
• Complete the Assistant Registration Form

Submitting your Application: You may submit your paper application to ABC by using one of the following methods.

Mail:      ABC
               P.O. Box 34862
               Alexandria, VA 22334-0862

Email:   certification@abcop.org
Fax:      (703) 842-8516

Exam Description
The three-hour, multiple-choice exam consists of 165 items designed to measure your knowledge of patient and practice management. Knowledge assessed on the exam includes anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, disease process, pathologies, material science, ethics and professionalism.

Exam Format and Availability
The exam is given using computer-based testing (CBT). The exam is offered every other month at over 300 locations nationwide. For a list of testing locations in your area, please click here​​.

Click to view Prometric's ​​What to Expect on Test Day​​ video​.​​​​

Examination Resources
The development of valid examinations begins with a practice analysis that gives a clear and concise definition of the knowledge, skills and abilities needed for competent job performance. Experts have identified the critical job components in the professions of orthotics and prosthetics using a process that includes interviews, surveys, observation and group discussions.

The Practice Analysis of ABC Certified Assistants in the Disciplines of Orthotics and Prosthetics identifies performance domains for assistants. Within each performance domain, several identified tasks provide the basis for questions in the examinations. The Practice Analysis also identifies associated knowledge and skills.

The ABC Assistant Book of Rules and Candidate Guide provides sample questions along with a list of examination question references and a recommended reading list to aid you as you prepare for your examination.

Examination Preparation
ABC has created numerous resources to help you prepare for your ABC Orthotic ​and Prosthetic Assistant certification exams. Please click here to access these resources.​

Fees:  The following fees are required for each discipline

• Application (non-refundable)         $125
• Examination Fee                               $225
• Examination Retake Fee                  $225

Annual Fee (required once certification is awarded): $125

Examination Dates and Deadlines

Exam Locations:  The exam is offered at over 300 locations nationwide. For a list of testing locations in your area, please click here.

I didn’t complete my course before the application deadline, can I still apply?
No, you must complete your course either on or before the application deadline.
 
I will not have completed my one year of experience by the application deadline, but I will have them by the exam date. Can I still apply?
No, the experience requirement must be completed on or before the application deadline.

​How and where do I obtain the one year of experience?
Your experience can be gained from any business that primarily provides orthotic and/or prosthetic patient care. A list of accredited facilities can be located using the ABC Directory​. If your experience is from a business that is not primarily engaged in orthotic and/or prosthetic patient care, your experience will be evaluated on an individual basis to determine whether it meets the intent of the requirement.

How do I log my hours?
Patient care experience is defined as contact with a patient from the initial assessment to the follow-up care. We recommend that you keep a record of these patient visits. However, you will only need to submit the Assistant Competency Attestation form with your application. 

What fees do I submit with my application?
The application and exam fees are due when you submit your application. Please note that the application fee is non-refundable.

If I am applying for both disciplines, do I submit an application fee for each credential?
Yes, application fees are required for each discipline. You must also submit two separate applications if you are applying for orthotics and prosthetics at the same time.

What documents do I submit with my application?
Please include the following:

• An official college transcript and
• The Assistant Competency Attestation form

What if I can’t find my high school or college diploma or GED certificate?
Unfortunately, we will not be able to approve your application if you cannot submit one of the above documents.

I obtained my education outside of the United States. What documents do I need to submit?
You must submit a credential evaluation from the World Education Service (WES).

My supervisor is certified by another credentialing body, can he/she attest for my hours?
No, your supervisor must meet the credentialing requirements listed on the Assistant Competency Attestation form. 

​When will ABC notify me of my application status?
You will receive notification of your eligibility status within four weeks of receipt of your application. This notification will be sent directly to you via email as well as mailed to your home address. You can also check your application status by logging in to your My ABC account.

Once my application is accepte​d, how do I register for the exam?
ABC will send you an email with information on how to register for a specific time, date and location with Prometric, our testing provider.

Are there exam prep materials available?
Yes, assistant exam prep materials  are available, including a test content outline, practice analysis of the O&P profession, exam references and a recommended reading list. In addition, there are sample written exam questions and information on available exam review courses (provided independently of ABC).​

What if I can’t find a testing center close to me?
Unfortunately, availability at the testing centers is on a first come, first served basis with limited seating. If you are having difficulty finding a location close to you, please contact us at 703-836-7114 ext. 229 or at certification@abcop.org.

What if I can’t make it to the exam?
You are provided a thirty day cancellation period without incurring a penalty. If you cancel in less than thirty days, there is a $50 fee.

When will I receive my exam results?
You will receive an immediate on-screen preliminary score report when you finish your exam. Your official score report will be provided in four weeks.

If I fail my exam, when can I re-take it?
You may immediately register for the next available exam cycle.

How many times can I take the exam?
When your initial application is approved, you are provided with a three year eligibility window in which you are allowed four attempts at the exam.

What happens if I’ve taken the exam more than four times?
If you have failed the exam more than four times or if your eligibility period has expired, you are required to reapply for eligibility. Please reference the ABC Assistant Book of Rules and Candidate Guide for more information.​​​

If I have applied for more than one discipline during an exam cycle, can I take all of my exams during the same day and/or cycle?
Yes, you are able to take more than one exam during the same day, space and time permitting.

If I passed my exam, when will I receive my certificate?
Certificates are mailed six weeks after the conclusion of the exam cycle.

What do I do to maintain my certification?
After obtaining certification, you are awarded a five-year certification cycle in which you must accrue continuing education credits and submit an annual fee. Click here ​for information on assistant continuing education credit requirements.

How much is my annual fee and when is it due?
Your annual fee will be $125 and is due by December 1st every year. Your first year fee will be prorated. ​​