Contents

©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.

Fitter Candidate Guide

April 2024


Scope of Practice

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.

Certified Fitter-Orthotics

According to the Orthotic, Prosthetic, and Pedorthic Scope of Practice, an ABC certified fitter-orthotics is a health care professional who is specifically educated and trained in the provision of certain orthoses. This includes patient evaluation, formulation of a treatment plan, implementation of the treatment plan, continuation of the treatment plan and practice management. An ABC certified fitter-orthotics is competent to practice orthotics within a scope of practice that is specific to fitting certain prefabricated orthoses as described below:

  • Cervical orthoses, except those used to treat an unstable cervical condition
  • Prefabricated orthoses for the upper and lower extremities, except for the following:
    • those used in the initial and/or acute treatment of long bone fractures and dislocations
    • therapeutic (diabetic) shoes/inserts and functional electrical stimulation orthoses (e.g. myo-orthosis, neuroprosthesis)
  • Prefabricated spinal orthoses, except those used in the treatment of scoliosis or unstable spinal conditions, or halo cervical orthoses
  • Pressure gradient garments
  • Trusses

Certified Fitter-Mastectomy

According to the Mastectomy Fitter Scope of Practice, an ABC certified fitter-mastectomy is a health care professional who is specifically educated and trained in the provision of breast prostheses and post-mastectomy items and services. This includes patient evaluation, formulation of a treatment plan, implementation of the treatment plan, continuation of the treatment plan and practice management.

Certified Fitter-Therapeutic Shoes

According to the Orthotic, Prosthetic, and Pedorthic Scope of Practice, an ABC certified fitter-therapeutic shoes is a health care professional who is specifically educated and trained to provide non-custom therapeutic shoes and non-custom multi-density inserts. This includes patient evaluation, formulation of a treatment plan, implementation of the treatment plan, continuation of the treatment plan and practice management.