How To Become An Orthotist
The path to becoming an orthotist is not as straight-forward as it might seem. It’s important to know what you’re getting into, and to choose a career in this field knowing that you have to work hard at it.
Orthotists are healthcare professionals who design, create, and fit medical devices for patients with physical disabilities or injuries. They are responsible for evaluating patients and developing treatment plans that will help them reach their full potential. Orthotists work closely with patients’ medical teams, including doctors and surgeons, nurses, physical therapists and occupational therapists.
Orthotists must complete an undergraduate degree before applying to graduate school for a Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics program at an accredited university. After completing their graduate studies, they must pass an American Board of Certification exam before they can practice as an orthotist or prosthetist.
How To Become An Orthotist
Orthotists and Prosthetists require a bachelor’s degree before they can become certified. However, requirements for associated careers, such as fitters, assistants, and technicians will often not be as stringent.
1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree (4 Years)
You first must earn your bachelor’s degree so you can go on to complete a Graduate Program. There is no set major you should focus on while going for your undergrad, but you will need classes in Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Physics and Psychology.
Also, you need to keep a GPA of a 3.0 and have a minimum of 21 hours in science courses to be considered for a graduate program. An undergrad course load might look like the following, if you take a pre-professional or pre-medical route:
| Grade Level | Example Courses |
| Freshman | Physics I & LabPhysics II & LabGeneral Chemistry I & LabGeneral Chemistry II & LabBiology & LabCalculus IHumanities RequirementsElectives |
| Sophomore | Organic Chemistry I & LabOrganic Chemistry II & LabFundamentals of Microbiology & LabGeneticsHumanities RequirementsElectives |
| Junior | Cell Structure & FunctionGeneral Virology & LabMicrobial Genetics & LabBiochemistry IBiochemistry IIPhysicsHumanities RequirementsElectives |
| Senior | Upper Level BiologyUpper Level ChemistryUpper Level PhysicsUpper Level PsychologyUpper Level KinesiologyRemaining Requirements & Electives |
2. Earn a Master’s Degree (2 Years)
To become an O&P specialist, you must complete a master’s degree in prosthetics and orthotics (M.S.P.O), which usually take about 2 years to complete.
These programs must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and will teach you about upper and lower extremity orthotics and prosthetics, spinal orthotics, and plastics and other materials.
The graduate degree programs will give you hands-on-training as they have clinical training integrated into the curriculum.
During the clinical training, you work under O&P professional to learn the ropes and gain the 500 hours of clinical experience you will need in orthotics and prosthetics.
A graduate program could look like the following:
| Year | Courses |
| 1st – Summer | Gross Anatomy (2 credits)Gross Anatomy Lab (2 credits)Kinesiology (2 credits)Kinesiology Laboratory (1 credits)Clinical Foundations (2 credits) |
| 1st – Fall | Lower-Limb Orthotics (4 credits)Transtibial Prosthetics (4 credits)Material Methods in Prosthetics and Orthotics (3 credits)Biomechanics (2 credits)Biomechanics Lab (1 credits)Integrated Internship I |
| 1st – Spring | Scientific Inquiry I (3 credits)Spinal Orthotics (4 credits)Transfemoral Prosthetics (4 credits)Orthopedic Pathology (3 credits)Professional Issues (1 credits)Integrated Internship II |
| 2nd – Summer | Internship |
| 2nd – Fall | Scientific Inquiry II 3 or (6 credits)Lower-Limb Orthotics II (4 credits)Upper-Limb Orthotics (3 credits)Neuroscience (2 credits)Neuroscience Laboratory (1 credits) |
| 2nd – Spring | Prosthetics and OrthoticsHealthcare Management (2 credits)Upper-Limb Prosthetics (4 credits)Integrated Internship IIIChoose one, depending on focus:Scientific Inquiry III (2 or 4 credits)Advanced Pediatric Examination and Intervention (2 credits)Clinical Practice Gerontology (2 credits)Prosthetics and Orthotics Teaching Assistant (3 credits) |
3. Complete a Residency Program (1 Year)
After you graduate, you must complete a 1-year residency to be able to sit for the certification exam. You can complete a residency in either Orthotics or Prosthetics unless you want to be certified in both, then you will need to complete a residency program in each of the fields and pass both exams.
4. Earn the Required License & Certification
The state license requirements vary and you will need to check with your state for the details. In those states that require a license, you will also need your national certification as well.
Most O&P professionals become certified by passing the exam administered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC). You can expect this when it comes test time: You must pass all three tests which are independent of each other and may be taken in any sequence.
The exams test your knowledge of clinical aptitude in orthotic and prosthetic practice.
Exam Description
Written Exam
The three-hour, 165 question, multiple choice exam assesses your knowledge of patient and practice management. Knowledge assessed on the written exam includes:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Biomechanics
- Kinesiology
- Disease process
- Pathologies
- Material science
- Ethics and professionalism
Written Simulation
Exam 3-hour interactive exam uses simulated scenarios to test your analytic and clinical problem solving skills. The cases include topics such as:
- Prescription criteria
- Device recommendation
- Technical implementation
- Follow-up protocols
Clinical Patient Management (CPM) Exam
About five hands-on practical assessments of your skills through direct examiner and patient model interaction in a clinical environment, along with two video based scenarios.
Must perform specific tasks while demonstrating and describing the orthotic or prosthetic recommendation, fitting criteria, patient instructions and follow-up plans involved in the provision of care.
