Contents
- Who We Are
- Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistants
- Scope of Practice
- Code of Professional Responsibility
- Certification Eligibility Requirements
- Application Process & Policies
- Documentation
- Exam Policies and Information
- Exam Scoring and Reporting
- Exam Descriptions
- Initial Certification
- Maintaining Certification
©2024 by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc. All rights reserved.
No part of this document may be produced in any form without written permission of the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc.
Assistant Candidate Guide
April 2024
Exam Descriptions
The Exams
Each exam is designed to evaluate your knowledge and clinical competencies in orthotics and prosthetics. The exams and the passing scores are reviewed and revised biennially.
Each three-hour, multiple-choice exam consists of 165 items designed to measure your knowledge of patient and practice management. Knowledge assessed on the exam includes: anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, disease process, pathologies, material science, ethics and professionalism.
Exam Format
The exam is administered by computer-based testing (CBT). CBT is a method of administering tests in which the responses are electronically recorded.
Exam Availability
The exam is offered bi-monthly at more than 600 locations around the country. Exam sessions, deadlines and locations are available on our website.
Exam Content
The development of valid exams begins with a practice analysis, which gives a clear and concise definition of the knowledge, skills and abilities needed for safe and effective clinical practice. Subject matter experts have identified the critical aspects of the assistant profession using a process that includes interviews, surveys, observation and group discussions.
ABC conducts practice analyses that identify performance domains for assistants. Within each performance domain, several identified tasks provide the basis for questions in the exams. Practice analyses also identify associated knowledge and skills related to delivery of orthotic and/or prosthetic care.
Exam Development
ABC updates the examinations on a regular basis with questions written by active assistants. Item development activities are conducted as needed to ensure that an adequate supply of new questions is available for the ABC exams.
Exam Preparation
ABC has exam preparation resources available on the Exam Prep Page as you prepare to sit for your ABC assistant certification exam. These include the Practice Analysis, Test Content Outline, Self-Assessment Checklist and sample exam questions. ABC encourages you to review these documents in preparation for your exams.
