Orthotist & Prosthetist

Icon of prosthetic limb
An Orthotist and/or Prosthetist is an allied health professional who manages comprehensive orthotic and/or prosthetic patient care, makes and fits orthoses and prostheses. O&P practitioners play an important role on the healthcare team.

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


Learn how to prepare for the Practitioner Written Exam Find out what you can expect at the prosthetic CPM exam Find out what you can expect at the orthotic CPM exam
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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.

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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.

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Tabita Whilden

Certification Manager

Responsible for all administrative functions of ABC's certification programs and interfacing with outside consultants.

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Lauren Moran

Certification Candidate Coordinator

Contact for: certification program inquiries, certification application assistance and status and licensure examination inquiries.

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Bethany Webb

Certification Program Assistant

Contact for: general certification program inquiries, certification application assistance, licensure exam inquiries and certificate reprints.

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