The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) is pleased to announce the reinstatement of its Certified Orthotic/Prosthetic Assistant certification program.

Certified assistants, under the supervision of an ABC certified orthotist and/or prosthetist, may perform orthotic and/or prosthetic procedures and related tasks in the management of patient care. The initial evaluation and formulation of the treatment plan is the responsibility of the supervising practitioner. The certified assistant may also fabricate, repair and maintain orthoses and/or prostheses.

During the first phase of this reinstatement, applicants must meet the following requirements:

•   A high school diploma or GED

•   Two years of clinical experience gained under the supervision of an ABC certified orthotist or prosthetist to coincide with the discipline in which the applicant is seeing certification. Applicants seeking dual discipline certification must have three years of clinical experience in both orthotics and prosthetics, with a minimum of one year in each discipline.

•   An attestation form verifying the clinical experience signed by the supervising ABC certified orthotist or prosthetist.

Candidates interested in the ABC certified assistant credential have until Oct. 1, 2011 to apply under the above pathway.  Applications and attestation forms will be available at www.abcop.org on December 1. The application fee is $250.