An ABC Certified Fitter-therapeutic shoes is a health care professional who is specifically educated and trained to provide non-custom therapeutic shoes and non-custom multi-density inserts. ABC's Certified Fitter-therapeutic shoes Scope of Practice document details the specific capacity the certified individual can practice.This includes patient assessment, formulation of a treatment plan, implementation of the treatment plan, follow-up and practice management.
The ABC Certified Fitter-therapeutic shoes is bound by the ABC Code of Professional Responsibility which is enforced by a Professional Discipline program. The Certified Fitter-therapeutic shoes is obligated to support and conform to professional responsibilities that promote and assure the overall welfare of the patient and the integrity of the profession.
To meet the eligibility requirements to take the ABC certification exam, individuals must meet the specific education and experience requirements established by ABC. Applicants must:
and
Successfully complete an NCOPE approved therapeutic shoe fitter educational course
Document a minimum of 250 hours of therapeutic shoe fitting experience obtained either before or after completion of the fitter educational course.
Guidelines for 250 Hours of Therapeutic Shoe Fitter Patient Care Experience:
The 250 hours of patient care experience requirement serves as the clinical training portion of the therapeutic shoe fitter education. It is optimal if the 250 hour requirement is fulfilled after completion of a NCOPE approved therapeutic shoe fitter educational program; however candidates can use patient care experience gained prior to the completion of their education program.
The intent of the 250 hours of patient care experience is to provide the student with practical application of the knowledge, skills and competencies gained during their educational program. This is most optimally achieved if the experience takes place within an organization which primarily provides therapeutic shoe patient care services. If a candidate’s experience takes place in a setting that is not primarily engaged in therapeutic shoe patient care services, their experience will be evaluated on an individual basis to determine whether it meets the intent of the requirement.
The examination to become a Certified Fitter of Therapeutic Shoes is a two hour, multiple-choice computer based exam which consists of 100 items designed to measure the candidate’s knowledge of therapeutic shoe fitting. The exam tests the candidates on patient assessment, shoe fitting techniques, follow-up care, ethics and professionalism.
Once the application has been received, reviewed and approved, all logistical information including a list of sites and an explanation of the test site selection process will be mailed to the registered candidate by the testing service. Once receiving a candidate status, applicants will choose the date and location for their exam.
The written examination is held via computer-based testing (CBT). Computer-based testing is a method of administering tests in which the responses are electronically recorded. Computer-based testing makes use of a computer instead of a pen and paper exam. The exam is generally offered in the spring, summer and fall at 250 locations nationwide. For a list of all testing locations in your area, please click here: Available Testing Locations
All requirements must be satisfied prior to the application deadline. Individuals who have met the educational and experiential requirements may submit an application for approval as a candidate for certification. Applicants that have been evaluated and deemed to have satisfied all eligibility requirements are assigned a “candidate” status. The candidate is given a three year eligibility period in which to take and pass the examination. The candidate is limited to four attempts at the exam within their eligibility period. After receiving a candidate status, applicants will choose the date and location for their exam.
The process for applying:
1) For first time applicants, please fill out the application form for first-time applicants. For those candidates who need to retake an examination, please register for the exam using the exam retake registration form.
2) Enclose the required documentation with your completed application:
A copy of your high school diploma, GED or college transcript, and
A photocopy of the official certificate of completion from the NCOPE approved therapeutic shoe fitter course, and
An attestation form to document 250 hours of therapeutic shoe fitting experience, and
A letter of reference from a professional referral source or an ABC Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist. The letter must speak to the applicant’s patient care experience in providing therapeutic shoe fitting services.
3) Register for the examination.
4) Submit the application to: ABC P.O. Box 34862 Alexandria, VA 22334-0862
Please note overnight services such as UPS and FedEx do not deliver to P.O. Boxes.
Please refer to the ABC Certified Fitter Book of Rules for additional information.
*The exam is generally offered in the spring, summer and fall at 250 locations nationwide. For a list of testing locations in your area, please click here: Available Testing Locations.
Individuals who successfully complete the education, experience and examination requirements prescribed by ABC for therapeutic shoe fitters are conferred the credentials of Certified Fitter-therapeutic shoes (CFts).
If you have questions or need more information about ABC Certification, contact
May PhoummithoneCertification Program Assistantmayp@abcop.org(703) 836-7114, x 229
Samlane KetevongManager, Credentialing Programssketevong@abcop.org(703) 836-7114 x 221
Jamie MoranCertification Program Assistantjmoran@abcop.org(703) 836-7114 x 228