​ABC's Certified Technicia​n Sco​pe of Practice​ details the specific functions of a certified technician. This includes assessment of orthotic and/or prosthetic technical requirements, formulation and implementation of fabrication, follow-up and practice management.

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

ABC’s Certified Technician credentialing programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)​.  

​

You must meet the following specific education and/or experience requirements to be eligible to take the ABC technician certification exam. Please refer to the ABC Technician Book of Rule​s and Candidate Guide for more information.

           Pathway 1 (Education Only)

• ​​Successfully complete a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)/National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) approved technician education program

           Pathway 2 (Education and Experience)

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

• ​Experience: You must complete two years of technical experience in the discipline(s) of application under the supervision of an ABC Certified Practitioner or an ABC Certified Technician in that discipline(s).

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

• Apply online​ or
• Complete the ABC Technician Application ​(fillable PDF)
   

• A copy of your high school diploma, General Education Diploma (GED) or college transcript

• A copy of your official certificate of completion from your CAAHEP/NCOPE approved technician education course (Pathway 1).

• The Orthotic Technician Competency Attestation form and/or Prosthetic Technician Competency Attestation form. Submit both competency forms if you are applying for both exams (Pathway 2).

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

• Apply online or
• Complete the ABC Technician Registration form​
  

Application Submission:  You may submit the 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 125 items designed to measure your knowledge of orthotic or prosthetic fabrication techniques. Knowledge assessed on the exam includes anatomy,  human locomotion, effects of orthotic/prosthetic design on gait, biomechanics, medical terminology, material safety procedures, 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 h​ere. ​​

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

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

Fees:  ​The following fees are required for each discipline

• ​​Application (non-refundable)          $100
• ​Examination Fee                                $200
• Examination Retake Fee                   $200

Annual Fee (required once certification is awarded): $90

​How do I sign up for an accredited program?
Registration is handled by the program provider. Please contact them directly for more information.

I didn’t complete my program before the application deadline, can I still apply?
No, you must complete your course either on or before the application deadline.
 
What documents do I need to submit with my application?

Pathway 1

• An official transcript from the CAAHEP/NCOPE approved program or a copy of the certificate of completion and
• The Orthotic Technician Competency Attestation form and/or the Prosthetic Technician Competency Attestation form

Pathway 2

• A copy of your high school diploma, GED or college transcript and
• The Orthotic Technician Competency Attestation form and/or the Prosthetic Technician 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 Technician Competency Attestation form. 

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 are examples of professional referral sources?
Any appropriately licensed healthcare prescriber that is familiar with your professional knowledge and skills (i.e., medical doctor, physician, podiatrist, nurse practitioner, etc.).

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 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, technician 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 Technician Book of Rules & 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. Cl​ick here​ for information on technician continuing education credit requirements.

How much is my annual fee and when is it due?
Your annual fee will be $90 and is due by December 1st every year. Your first year fee will be prorated.  ​​