ABC's Certified Orthotist an​d/or 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.  

​Effective January 1, 2020, we will revise the eligibility criteria for the orthotist and prosthetist credentials to a master's degree in orthotics and prosthetics from a CAAHEP accredited educational program. Individuals who graduated from a CAAHEP-accredited bachelor's or certificate program and who have not completed their residency, you have until December 31, 2019, to complete your residency and submit a certification application to ABC. Please contact certification@abcop.org or call 703-836-7114 if you have any questions.

You must meet the following specific education and clinical residency requirements to be eligible to take the ABC practitioner certification exams. Please refer to the ABC Practitioner Book of Rules and Candidate Guide ​for specific eligibility requirements.

Education

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

• A bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program or

• A foreign degree equivalent to a bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics  or

• A foreign degree equivalent to a bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics and prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program

Clinical Residency

• ​Completion of a National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) accredited residency program. For more information, please refer to the ABC Practitioner Book of Rules and Candidate Guide.

​Once you have met the education and clinical residency requirements, simply submit your application for approval as a candidate for the practitioner certification exams.  For more information regarding the application process, please refer to the ABC Practitioner Book of Rules & Candidate Guide.

•  ​​Apply online or  

• Complete the ABC Practitioner Application ​(fillable PDF)

Required Documentation:  Include the following​ with your application

• Official bachelor's or master's degree transcript 

• O&P program certificates (if applicable, include your official transcript/certificate from your O&P certificate program)

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

Retaking an Exam or Registering for an Additional Exam:  You may register to either retake or sign up for an additional exam by using one of the following methods.

• Apply online​ or ​

• Complete the ABC Practitioner Registration Form​

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

Mail:      ​ABC
                 Certification Department
                 P.O. Box 76100
                       Baltimore, MD 21275-6100

Email:   certifi​​cation@abcop.org
Fax:       (703) 842-8516 ​​

You are required to pass all three exams which evaluate your knowledge and clinical aptitude in orthotic and prosthetic practice. The exams are independent of one another and may be taken in any sequence. 

Exam Descriptions 

Written 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.

Written 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.

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.   

​Exam Format and Availability 

Written and Written Simulation Exams
The written and written simulation exams are given using computer-based testing (CBT). The written and written simulation exams are offered every other month at over 300 locations nationwide. Please click​ ​h​ere for a list of testing locations in your area.

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

CPM Exam
The CPM hands-on practical exam is offered three times a year in a designated location.

Examination Preparation
ABC has 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 

• Application (non-refundable)                       $250
• ​​Written Exam                                                  $250
• Written Simulation Exam                              $250
• Clinical Patient Management Exam            $700

Annual Fee (required once certification is awarded): $275

Written and Written Simulation Exam Dates and Deadlines

Exam Locations: The exams are offered at over 300 ​locations nationwide. Please click here for a list of testing locations in your area.

Clinical Patient Management (CPM) Exam Dates and Deadlines

Exam Location:  The CPM exams will be held at the ABC Testing Center in Tampa, FL.

​My residency end date is after the residency deadline for my desired exam cycle. Am I still eligible for that cycle?
No, your re​​sidency end date must be on or before the residency deadline for your desired exam cycle.

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.  

I am an 18-month resident, 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:

• Official baccalaureate or higher degree transcript. If you are applying for both disciplines at the same time, we only require one set of transcripts.

• O&P program certificates or transcripts, if applicable. 

I am extending my credential, do I have to submit my transcripts again?
No, ABC will reference your previous application if it was submitted within the last seven years. You are required to submit a copy of your program certificate, if applicable.

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

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​. You should have received login information from NCOPE at the completion of  your residency. If you have lost your login information, please contact Roxanne Bobb-Semple at (703) 836-7114 ext. 238 or rbobbsemple@abcop.org.

Once my application is accepted, 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, practitioner 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. 221 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, you will need to pay a $50 fee.

When will I receive my exam results?
For the written and written simulation exams, you will receive an immediate preliminary score report on screen when you finish your exam. Your official score report will be provided in four weeks.

CPM exam results are available in approximately 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 Practitioner 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 all of my exams, 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 practitioner continuing education credit requirements.

How much is my annual fee and when is it due?
Your annual fee is $275 and is due by December 1st every year. Your first year fee will be prorated.   ​​​