The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics, Inc. (ABC) has modified the eligibility period for all certification exam candidates. This change, which came into effect on September 1, 2008, will apply to all new applicants for the orthotic, prosthetic, pedorthic, technician and fitter exams.
The new policy states that every individual who is approved to take the exam will receive a three year eligibility window to pass. In those three years, the candidate will be granted four attempts to obtain their certification. The previous eligibility period was four years and four attempts.
This policy change was made possible by ABC’s 2006 switch to a computer-based testing system. Under this new system, certification exams are now given three times a year at over 250 locations nationwide. Previous exams were only given twice a year.
ABC certification exams measure a candidates’ knowledge of orthotic, prosthetic and/or pedorthic clinical care, their analytical and problem solving skills, and their patient management and communication skills.
The ABC O&P certification, pedorthics certification, technician registration and orthotic and mastectomy fitter certification are considered the highest standards for professionals providing patient care and technical services.