Pennsylvania Licensure Requirements
Bachelor's Degree
1 Examination
3,800 Hours of Experience
3 Hours of Continuing Education
$50.00 Initial Fee
$75.00 Renewal Fee
An individual who is licensed by the State Board of Medicine to properly fit, dispense and adjust prefabricated orthotic devices pursuant to a written prescription of a licensed physician, podiatrist, certified registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
Degree Requirement:
Bachelor's Degree
An applicant must obtain at least a bachelor’s degree, post-baccalaureate certificate or higher degree in orthotics or prosthetics/orthotics and hold a current certification as an orthotist, or as a prosthetist and orthotist, from American Board for Certification (ABC) or Board of Certification (BOC)
Examination Requirement:
1 Examination
An applicant must hold certification with the ABC or BOC exam in orthotic fitting.
Experience:
3,800 Hours
The applicant must complete a minimum of 3,800 hours of experience in providing direct patient care services in orthotics or in prosthetics and orthotics over a 2-year period.
Continuing Education:
3 Hours (for initial licensure)
Applicants must complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting for initial licensure.
24 Hours (when renewing license)
As a condition of biennial renewal, an orthotist must complete a minimum of 24 hours of ABC-approved or BOC-approved continuing education applicable to the practice of orthotic fitting, which must include 2 hours of approved training in how to recognize and report child abuse.
Initial Licensing Fee:
$50.00
Licensure Renewal Fee:
$75.00
Licensure by Credentials:
To apply for licensure by credentials, an applicant must hold a current certification as an orthotic fitter from ABC, BOC or another orthotic fitter credentialing organization whose program is approved by the State Board of Medicine.
Licensure by Endorsement under Section 27 of the Medical Practice Act:
The Board will grant a license without restriction to an applicant who does not meet the standard license requirements if the applicant has achieved cumulative qualifications that are endorsed by the Board as being equivalent to the standard requirements for the license.
Licensure by Act 41:
Act 41 promotes licensure portability for out-of-state professionals seeking to work in Pennsylvania. Act 41 authorizes all licensing boards and commissions within the Commonwealth to endorse licenses issued by other states, territories, and jurisdictions, provided the applicant meets certain criteria. Specifically, an applicant must:
- Hold a current, active license in good standing in another jurisdiction whose licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to or exceed Pennsylvania’s.
- Have no disciplinary action or criminal convictions.
- Have been actively engaged in the licensed practice of the profession for at least two of the last five years.
- Demonstrate competence, as determined by the Board; this may include education, continuing education, or other standards set by the Board.
- Meet any other administrative requirements such as fees.