Orthotist & Prosthetist
Continuing Education
You are required to participate in continuing education in order to maintain your ABC credential. Your certification is time-limited and expires every five years. During that five-year period, you must earn the required number of credits for your discipline in order to maintain your certification.
Single Discipline Orthotist or Prosthetist (CO or CP)
- A total of 80 credits must be earned during your five-year cycle. All credits may be earned in Category I Science.
- A minimum of 40 credits must be Category I Science.
- A maximum of 40 credits may be Category I or II Business or Category II Science.
Failure to Satisfy the Requirements
Certified Orthotists and/or Prosthetists who fail to satisfy the continuing education requirement within the five-year cycle must complete 16 penalty credits in addition to the number of credits they are deficient. These credits must be earned within the following calendar year. Of the 16 penalty credits, a minimum of 8 must be Category I Science.
Dual Discipline Orthotist Prosthetist (CPO)
- A total of 100 credits must be earned during your five-year cycle. All credits may be earned in Category I Science.
- A minimum of 50 credits must be Category I Science.
- A maximum of 50 credits may be Category I or II Business or Category II Science.
Extending Your Credential
If you want to extend your credential from CO or CP to CPO, the certification date of your most recent credential will determine your five-year continuing education cycle. For example, if your orthotic certification was awarded in 2019 and your prosthetic certification was awarded in 2020, the effective date for your five-year cycle will be 2020.
Failure to Satisfy the Requirements
Certified Orthotist Prosthetists who fail to satisfy the continuing education requirement within their five-year cycle must complete 20 penalty credits in addition to the number of credits they are deficient. These credits must be earned within the following calendar year. Of the 20 penalty credits, a minimum of 10 must be Category I Science.
Guide to Maintaining Your Certification
Complete with all of the information needed to stay certified.
Learn About ABC’s Other Credentials
Contact our Team
Brooke Smith
Director, Continuing Education
Directs all aspects of the continuing education policy development and administration, as well as education provider management and precertification course approvals.
Send Brooke an email
Erin Seabrook
Manager, Continuing Education
Manages all aspects of the continuing education department. Primary contact for: continuing education program inquires to include CE statements, change in status requests, certification verifications and education provider assistance.
Send Erin an email
Amanda Aguilar
Continuing Education Coordinator
Primary contact for: all continuing education inquiries
Send Amanda an email
Sara Kelly
Continuing Education Coordinator
Primary contact for: general continuing education inquiries
Send Sara an email
American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics
330 John Carlyle Street, Suite 210, Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Phone: (703) 836-7114 | Fax: (703) 836-0838 | Email: info@abcop.org
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