ABC has completed a comprehensive update to the certification exams for Certified Prosthetic Assistants (CPA) and Certified Orthotic Assistants (COA) for 2026. This year-long effort included practice analysis, item development, form review and standard setting to help ensure the exams continue to reflect current assistant-level practice and support a fair, valid testing experience.

Key update milestones

• April 2025: Assistant practice analysis meeting at ABC (pictured above).

Timothy Baldwin COA, CFo, Shira Browns CPA, Robert Camper CPA, CTP, Laura Childs COA, CTO, Charlene Good CPOA, CFo, John Greaney COA, CTO, CFo, Katherine Hausmann CO, Steve Hoover CP, LP, COA, Moria Stephans CPA, Jennifer Trombley COA, CFo, Kyra Valliere CPOA

• August 2025: Item-writing campaign to create new questions for the exams.

Colleen Clark CPO, Meghan Ludwick CPO, CFo, Kathleen Carroll CPO, Daniel Concannon CPO, Steven Hoover CP, COA, Kiera Daigle CPO, Brian McCarthy CPA

• October 2025: Review and approval of newly updated exam forms.
  

Timothy Baldwin COA, CFo, Toni Bass COA, CFo, Reegan Brackett COA CFo , Laura Childs COA, CTO, Christina Cole C.Ped., COA, CFo, Steve Hoover CP, LP, COA, Matt Nardo COA , Jennifer Trombley COA, CFo, Sarah Delaney CPO, Paul DePetris CPOA, CFo, CFts, Renee Lewis CO, CPA, Moria Stephans CPA, Spencer Wolinsky CPOA

• February 2026: Standard setting activity to determine updated passing scores.

Shira Browns CPA, Kively Camarena COA, Lacie Charaschirakul COA, CFo, Emily Devorsetz COA, CFo, Lexy Fulkerson COA, Daniel Gemmell CPOA, CFo, John Greaney COA, CTO, CFo, Brian McCarthy CPA, Amanda McClenny COA, Monica Miller COA, Kandice Mitchell CPOA, Barbara  Rainey CPOA, CTPO, Charles Redmond CPA, Matt Veiga COA CFo 

ABC extends sincere appreciation to the many volunteers and subject matter experts who contributed their time and expertise at each step of this important exam update process.