Contents
- Foreward
- ABC Scope of Practice Committee
- ABC Credentials
- ABC Certified Orthotist, Prosthetist, or Prosthetist/Orthotist
- ABC Certified Pedorthist
- ABC Certified Fitter-Orthotics
- ABC Certified Fitter-Therapeutic Shoes
- ABC Certified Orthotic and/or Prosthetic Assistant
- Certified Orthotic and/or Prosthetic Technician
- Definitions of Common Terms
©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.
Scope of Practice
January 2024
ABC Credentials
The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics, Inc. (ABC) establishes and promotes the highest standards of organizational and clinical performance in the delivery of orthotic, prosthetic and pedorthic care. ABC advances the competency of practitioners, promotes the quality and effectiveness of orthotic, prosthetic and pedorthic care and maintains the integrity of the profession.
ABC orthotist, prosthetist, pedorthist, fitter, assistant and technician certification are the designations given to those individuals who have met ABC’s extensive education and clinical training requirements and who have passed specific examinations that are based on a comprehensive practice analysis of the orthotic, prosthetic and pedorthic professions. The examinations measure the candidate’s knowledge of orthotics, prosthetics and pedorthics, their analytical and problem solving skills as well as clinical, patient management and communication skills. ABC orthotist, prosthetist, pedorthist, assistant, fitter and technician credentials are the profession’s highest standards for individuals providing patient care and technical services. 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.
ABC awards the following credentials:
ABC Certified Orthotist (CO)
ABC Certified Prosthetist (CP)
ABC Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist (CPO)
ABC Certified Pedorthist (C.Ped.)
ABC Certified Fitter-Orthotics (CFo)
ABC Certified Fitter-Mastectomy (CFm)*
ABC Certified Fitter-Therapeutic Shoes (CFts)
ABC Certified Orthotic Assistant (COA)
ABC Certified Prosthetic Assistant (CPA)
ABC Certified Prosthetic-Orthotic Assistant (CPOA)
ABC Certified Orthotic Technician (CTO)
ABC Certified Prosthetic Technician (CTP)
ABC Certified Prosthetic-Orthotic Technician (CTPO)
*The provision of post-mastectomy breast prostheses and associated items is solely within the scope of practice of a Certified Fitter-Mastectomy (CFm). The CFm Scope of Practice is published separately and is not included in this document.
