Orthotist & Prosthetist
What is an ABC Certified Practitioner?
An ABC Certified Orthotist and/or Prosthetist is a health care professional specifically educated and trained to manage comprehensive orthotic and/or prosthetic patient care. This includes patient assessment, formulation of a treatment plan, implementation of the treatment plan, follow-up and practice management. Documentation by the orthotist and/or prosthetist is part of the patient’s medical record and assists with establishing medical necessity for orthotic and/or prosthetic care.
Scope of Practice
The ABC Certified Orthotist and Prosthetist Scope of Practice details the specific functions of certified practitioners. This includes patient assessment, formulation of a treatment plan, implementation of a treatment plan, follow-up and practice management.
ABC credentialed individuals must adhere to the ABC Scope of Practice for their credential and/or the scope of practice for any relevant related licensure they hold.
Additionally, certified practitioners are required to support and conform to the Code of Professional Responsibility which promotes and assures the overall welfare of the patient and the integrity of the profession.
Credentials
After you have met the requirements and passed the relevant exam(s), you will earn your Certified Orthotist (CO) or Certified Prosthetist (CP) credential. Once you have met the requirements and passed all of the certification exams for both disciplines, you will earn your Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO) credential.
International Recognition
The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) has awarded the USA Professional Pathway accreditation to ABC and the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) for its Prosthetist/Orthotist Level Pathway.
ISPO accreditation recognizes the ABC/NCOPE pathway to certification as meeting the highest international education/certification standards in existence today. ISPO's standards are recognized worldwide as the benchmark in the profession.
ABC Student/Resident Scholarships & Awards
ABC has several OP&P education and research scholarships available to help support and award outstanding young professionals.
Visit Scholarships & Awards page
Explore ABC's Other Individual Credentials
Recommended Resources
Contact our Team
Stephen Fletcher, CPO
Director, Professional Credentialing
Directs ABC’s Professional Ethics, Certification, Scope of Practice and Government Relations programs. Manages all ABC’s certification exam development and administration activities. Facilitates coordination of professional/clinical issues across all ABC programs, including state licensure.
Send Stephen an email
Molly Maguire
Professional Credentialing Administrator
Primary contact for: professional ethics complaints against ABC credential holders, questions about ABC scope of practice, state licensure issues and ABC Board of Director nomination applications.
Send Molly an email
Tabita Whilden
Certification Manager
Responsible for all administrative functions of ABC's certification programs and interfacing with outside consultants.
Send Tabita an email
Lauren Moran
Certification Candidate Coordinator
Contact for: certification program inquiries, certification application assistance and status and licensure examination inquiries.
Send Lauren an email
Bethany Webb
Certification Program Assistant
Contact for: general certification program inquiries, certification application assistance, licensure exam inquiries and certificate reprints.
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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