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Orthotist/Prosthetist FAQs

 

NEW: Transition to Dual-Discipline-Only Practitioner Exams

The first administration of the new dual-discipline exams: 
Simulation Exam - April 2027 | CPM Exam - May 2027

To learn more about NCOPE's residency program changes and additional FAQs, please click here

I am currently certified in only one discipline; will this affect me?

No. This will not in any way affect your certification or your ability to practice.

Will I be able to continue to supervise and mentor residents if I am certified in only one discipline?

Yes. Your focused knowledge and experience are valuable. You will still be able to supervise residents providing care in the discipline in which you are certified. 

Will I still be able to become certified in only one discipline?

No. This will no longer be an option once these changes are completed. The sole credential that ABC will award to new practitioners will be the CPO credential.

What if I only want to practice prosthetics, will I still have to take the exam for both?

Yes. In the future, residencies and the certification exams will include both disciplines, mirroring the master’s educational requirements. Becoming a CPO does not mean that the individual must practice both disciplines; that is a personal choice each clinician will make once they are certified.

Will the single discipline exams be an option in the future?

No. Once the transition to dual-discipline exams has been completed, the single-discipline exams will no longer be available.

Will the cost of obtaining the CPO certification change?

The ABC Board is committed to lowering the barriers to entry into the profession and is working to keep the costs as low as possible. The future application and exam fees are still being finalized.

Will the new dual-discipline Simulation or CPM exams be longer?

We anticipate both exams being comparable in length to the current exams.

Will the timing and location of the CPM exams change?

No. The CPM exams will still be given three times a year at ABC’s testing center in Tampa.

Future of Practitioner Residency & Certification Timeline

 

Combined O&P Written Multiple Choice Exam

Eligibility
How do I know if I am eligible for the combined O&P written exam?

If you have a master’s degree in orthotics and prosthetics from a CAAHEP accredited program, you are eligible.

Do I have to complete an NCOPE residency program to apply for the combined O&P written exam?

No. You may apply online for the combined O&P written exam immediately after graduation. You can take this exam during, or after, your residency. Check the application deadlines for your desired exam cycle.

When can I apply for the single discipline simulation and CPM exams?

You may apply for eligibility up to six months before your residency end-date, but your application will not be approved until your residency is marked complete by NCOPE.  Once approved, you will receive a three-year eligibility period for these exams.​

 

 

Application Process
What is the application process to become a CPO?

If you are seeking to be certified as both a prosthetist and an orthotist, you will need to submit three, separate applications to become eligible for:

  • the combined O&P written exam
  • the orthotic simulation and CPM exams*
  • the prosthetic simulation and CPM exams*

 *only eligible after completing the related discipline residency

What if I missed the application deadline? Can I still apply?

You have up to fourteen days to apply after the application deadline. You will be required to pay a non-refundable $100 late fee.

How do I determine my certification application status?

Please allow up to four weeks for your application to be processed. We will send you a notice of your eligibility status via email. You may also check your application status by logging in to your My ABC account.

Documentation
What if I don’t have the required documents by the application deadline?

We will defer your exam fees to the subsequent cycle. If we do not receive the required documents by the deadline for the next cycle, your application will be denied, and a refund of your exam fee(s) will be issued.  It is your responsibility to reapply for eligibility with the required fees.

Fees
What fees do I submit with my application?

Both the application and exam fees are due with your application. All applications and payments must be submitted online.  The application fee is non-refundable.

Exam Process
What if I can’t find a testing center close to me?

Availability at the testing centers is on a first come, first served basis. If you are having difficulty finding a location near you, please contact us at certification@abcop.org.

What if I schedule my exam and then realize I can’t take it that day?

Test Center Appointments

  • You can cancel your test center appointment up to 48 hours prior to your scheduled time.
  • If you cancel less than 48 hours of your appointment, you will forfeit your entire exam fee.

Remote Proctoring Appointment

  • You can cancel your remote proctored appointment up to 24 hours prior to your scheduled time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours of your appointment, you will forfeit your entire exam fee.
What if I forgot to schedule for my exam?

You will forfeit your exam fee and be required to re-register for the next available cycle.​ ​

How many times can I take the combined O&P written exam?

Once your application is approved, you have a three-year eligibility window in which you are allowed four attempts at the exam.

After the Exam
When will I receive my exam results?

You will receive an immediate on-screen score report when you finish your exam. You will receive an email notification within 24 hours, when your official score report is available on your My ABC account.

If I fail the exam, when can I re-take it?

Once your score report is posted to your My ABC account, you have until the end of that month to re-register 

for the next available exam cycle. 

How many times can I take the combined O&P written exam?

Once your application is approved, you have a three-year eligibility window in which you are allowed four attempts at the exam.

What happens if I've failed the combined O&P exam four times?

If you have failed an exam four times or if your eligibility period has expired, you must reapply for eligibility. Please reference the ABC Practitioner Candidate Guide for more information.

 

O&P Simulation and CPM Exams

(current single-discipline-only)

Eligibility
How do I know if I am eligible for either the orthotic or prosthetic simulation and CPM exams?

If you have a Master’s degree in orthotics and prosthetics from a CAAHEP accredited program and completed your residency for that discipline (orthotics or prosthetics), if you are eligible.

Can I take the single discipline exam if I am currently enrolled in an NCOPE residency program?

No, you must complete your residency prior to taking any single discipline exams. 

 

When can I apply for the single discipline simulation and CPM exams?

You may apply for eligibility up to six months before your residency end-date, but your application will not be approved until your residency is marked complete by NCOPE.  Once approved, you will receive a three-year eligibility period for these exams.​

 

 

Application Process
What is the application process to become a CPO?

If you are seeking to be certified as both a prosthetist and an orthotist, you will need to submit three, separate applications to become eligible for:

  • the combined O&P written exam
  • the orthotic simulation and CPM exams*
  • the prosthetic simulation and CPM exams*

 *only eligible after completing the related discipline residency

What if I missed the application deadline? Can I still apply?

You have up to fourteen days to apply after the application deadline. You will be required to pay a non-refundable $100 late fee.

How do I determine my certification application status?

Please allow up to four weeks for your application to be processed. We will send you a notice of your eligibility status via email. You may also check your application status by logging in to your My ABC account.

I want to apply for my second discipline. Do I have to submit my transcripts again?

No. We will reference your previous application if it was submitted within the last seven years.  

Residency
My residency end date is after the deadline for my desired exam cycle. Am I still eligible for that cycle?

No, your residency must be marked complete by NCOPE on or before the residency deadline.

How will ABC know when my residency is complete?

NCOPE will provide confirmation of your residency completion to ABC.

What if I am unable to complete my residency requirements by the residency deadline for my desired exam cycle?

Once all the requirements are met, you will be deferred to the next available exam cycle.

Fees
What fees do I submit with my application?

Both the application and exam fees are due with your application. All applications and payments must be submitted online.  The application fee is non-refundable.

Exam Process
What if I can’t find a testing center close to me?

Availability at the testing centers is on a first come, first served basis. If you are having difficulty finding a location near you, please contact us at certification@abcop.org.

If I applied for more than one discipline during the same exam cycle, can I take all of my exams during the same day and/or cycle?

Yes, you can take more than one exam on the same day, space and time permitting.

What if I schedule my exam and then realize I can’t take it that day?

Test Center Appointments

  • You can cancel your test center appointment up to 48 hours prior to your scheduled time.
  • If you cancel less than 48 hours of your appointment, you will forfeit your entire exam fee.

Remote Proctoring Appointment

  • You can cancel your remote proctored appointment up to 24 hours prior to your scheduled time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours of your appointment, you will forfeit your entire exam fee.
What if I forgot to schedule for my exam?

You will forfeit your exam fee and be required to re-register for the next available cycle.​ ​

How many times can I take an exam?

Once your application is approved, you are given four attempts at the exam during your three-year eligibility window. 

After the Exam
When will I receive my exam results?

For the simulation exams, you will receive an immediate on-screen pass/fail result when you finish your exam. You will receive an email with an official score report within 2 weeks of the simulation exam.

For the CPM exams, you will receive an email with a preliminary pass/fail result within one week.  The CPM exam score reports will be emailed approximately two weeks after the exam. 

If I fail the exam, when can I re-take it?

Once you have received your official score report on your My ABC account, you may register to re-take the exam. If you wish to re-take your exam in the next exam cycle, you must re-register by the residency deadline for that exam cycle. 

How many times can I take an exam?

Once your application is approved, you are given four attempts at the exam during your three-year eligibility window. 

What happens if I've failed a practitioner exam four times?

If you have failed the exam four times or if your eligibility period has expired, you must reapply for eligibility. Please refer to the ABC Practitioner Candidate Guide for more information. 

If I passed all my exams, when will I receive my certificate?

Certificates are mailed within four weeks after the conclusion of the exam cycle.

What do I do to maintain my certification?

Once you are certified, you have a five-year certification cycle in which you must earn continuing education credits and submit an annual fee. See the Guide for Maintaining Certification for information discipline specific continuing education credit requirements.

How much is my annual fee and when is it due?

Your annual renewal fee is $330 and is due by December 1st. The fee for your first year will be prorated.

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