Clinical Patient Management (CPM) Exam Candidate Orientation Manual

Interaction with Patient Models

The CPM exams simulate patient care management situations, and you should treat this experience as close to real life as possible. Always use caution and courtesy when interacting with patient models. 

You will not be allowed to put any patient model in a potentially unsafe situation. Patient models have been instructed to alert you and/or the examiner, exam committee member or ABC staff if they feel uncomfortable or experience any pain. Interaction with the patient models apart from the exam is strictly prohibited.

Candidate Misconduct

You will be required to sign and accept the following Statement of Conduct: 

“I understand that I can be disqualified from taking or continuing in the examination process, or from receiving examination results, if the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics, Inc. (ABC), determines through either examiner and/or committee observation, statistical analysis, or by any other means that I was engaged in collaborative, disruptive, or other unacceptable behavior prior to, during, or following the administration of this examination. Furthermore, I waive and release any and all claims, demands, or actions against ABC, its officers and directors, agents and employees, and release ABC from all liability, for any and all matters arising out of participation in the Clinical Patient Management Examination.” 

It is inappropriate for exam candidates to engage in any of the following activities:

• Failure to observe the rules of conduct established by the ABC Board of Directors. 
• Copy in writing or otherwise record or transmit to others any exam questions and/or answers, or any other aspects of the nature or content of the exam. 
• Bringing any unauthorized answering agent of any nature (e.g. books, notes) to the exam site. 
• Offering, assisting or soliciting assistance from other candidates, patient models, examiners or those responsible for the administration of the exam. 
• Discussing or soliciting offers of professional services and/or employment with any individuals involved with the exams (e.g., patient models, staff, examiners, etc.) 
• Engaging in any other conduct which, in the judgment of the exam committee or the board of directors, is injurious to the integrity of the exam or to any of its participants. 
• Use digital devices of any kind, during any portion of the exam, including breaks.

Dismissal from the Exam 

Any candidate observed engaging in any inappropriate activity will be subject to immediate dismissal from the exam and may be barred from future exams for a period ranging from one year to a permanent ban and may be required to forfeit the current exam fees and/or that period of eligibility.

Incidents at the Exam 

The Candidate Liaison is available during exam breaks and/or after the exam to address and resolve any incidents or administrative procedures that have impacted your ability to successfully complete the exam. If you chose to speak to the Candidate Liaison during a timed portion of the exam you will lose the time in that module. 

All incidents must be documented in a Candidate Incident Form and signed by the Candidate Liaison, the candidate and the Site Coordinator. Any unreported and undocumented incidents will not be considered during any subsequent appeals process.

It is your responsibility to determine whether an incident merits filing a Candidate Incident Form. This decision does not rest with the Candidate Liaison. 

If you elect not to file an incident form, it is understood that you have voluntarily waived this privilege. There will be no recourse after the exam if you verbally express a problem or concern to the Candidate Liaison but elect not to file an incident form. 

The Candidate Liaison and the Site Coordinator will attempt to reach a mutually agreeable resolution that is fair to both you and the exam process. If the negotiations and resolution are unsatisfactory or if you believe that the incident impeded you from completing your exam, you may elect to terminate your participation in the CPM exam. 

At this time, you would be directed to immediately leave the exam site. This decision cannot be used as grounds for any subsequent appeals. In the event of this voluntary decision, you forfeit the exam fee and that period of eligibility. 

Prior to your arrival at the exam site, you were given the opportunity to identify any examiners with whom you would have a conflict in the exam setting. Please be advised that if you enter the exam area and you discover that you are assigned to an examiner whom you had listed as being a conflict, you must report this immediately to the Site Coordinator or ABC staff prior to beginning the module. Failure to do so will nullify any appeal. 

ABC strives to provide you with a safe exam environment; however, we understand that incidents resulting in injury or potential injury to a candidate and/or patient model can occur. In the event of an incident, the Site Coordinator will complete a Candidate Incident Report on your behalf.

Administrative Requirements 

• Candidate ID badges will be provided at check-in and must be worn at all times while at the exam site. 
• Gloves must be worn during all patient model contact. 
• You must write your candidate number on all forms.
• When not taking a portion of the exam, you must be in the designated Candidate Lounge. You may not leave the exam site between modules. 
• Candidates must notify the Candidate Liaison or ABC Staff before leaving the Candidate Lounge to use the restroom.
• You must ensure all areas you have used are clean.