Resident Eligibility, Roles, and Responsibilities
Which standards apply? This page includes resident guidance for earlier program structures under the 2021 Residency Standards. The case-logging section below distinguishes the 2021 and 2025 requirements. For current pathway resources, evaluations and forms, use Resident Resources and Residency Forms and Competency Assessment. Confirm which standards apply with your residency director.
Resident Eligibility Requirements
A person is eligible to register for an NCOPE accredited residency program when they have completed a CAAHEP accredited orthotist/prosthetist program at the master’s level degree or higher.
- Persons trained outside of the United States may be eligible to register if they hold a master’s level degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics based upon evaluation by the World Education Service (WES).
Resident Responsibilities:
NCOPE residents have specific responsibilities, which are identified in the Standards of Accreditation for the Orthotic/Prosthetic Residency Program and the NCOPE Policies and Procedures Manual. The resident assumes these responsibilities which include the following prior to and during their residency:
1. Complete a Master's Level CAAHEP Accredited Orthotist/Prosthetist Education Program
- To view a list of CAAHEP accredited orthotist/prosthetist programs, please visit the Future/Current Student Information page
- Internationally educated orthotists/prosthetists must submit their transcripts via the World Education Service (WES) Education Evaluation, the evaluation must clearly identify that a master’s degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics was awarded
- Additional resources for internationally trained orthotic and prosthetic professionals: Foreign Educated O&P School Graduates
Late submissions may incur a change in the start and end dates of the residency program.
2. Submit the NCOPE Resident Registration Form a minimum of 14 days prior to the residency start date
- Resident Registration Form
- Current registration fees: Residency Registration and Accreditation Fees
- Registered residents must submit no later than 30 days after the first day of their residency:
- A sealed official copy of their orthotic & prosthetic master’s degree transcripts OR
- An electronic transcript generated by the academic program’s registrar to info@ncope.org
- Internationally trained orthotists/prosthetists must submit their transcripts via the World Education Service (WES) Education Evaluation
- Additional resources for internationally trained orthotic and prosthetic professionals: Foreign Educated O&P School Graduates
Late submissions may incur a change in the start and end dates of the residency program.
3. Participate in patient care, under supervision, commensurate with his/her level of advancement and responsibility and adhere to policies and procedures of the residency site
- Patient care provided by the resident and the mentor must be consistent with current clinical care guidelines and accepted standards of practice which are established through accreditation of the practice
- The resident must be given progressively increasing responsibility in the delivery of patient care services based upon demonstrated clinical competence
4. Maintain comprehensive procedure logs using NCOPE Tracker
- 2025 Residency Standards: Log every patient visit in NCOPE Tracker, regardless of duration (Standard 3.5 and guidance). Activities without the patient present, such as fabrication or insurance correspondence, do not require patient-visit entries; related competencies still require assessment.
- 2021 Residency Standards: Log all patient interactions lasting 15 minutes or longer throughout residency (Standard 5.3).
- Both standards: Enter required patient visits within 14 days.
For case-entry instructions, required fields and reporting, see case logging in NCOPE Tracker. Resident Login.
5. Submit quarterly documentation within 30 days of the end of each quarter
- The following forms can be submitted using NCOPE Tracker:
- Quarterly Evaluation of the Residency Program / Case Log Audit
- Quarterly Evaluation of the Mentor
- Research Track Directed Study Update (Research & Development Track Residents)
- Clinical Track Quarterly Activity (Clinical Track Residents)
7. Submit the following documentation at the designated time frames
- The following forms can be submitted using NCOPE Tracker:
- NCOPE/CAAHEP Education Program Graduate Survey – any time during the residency
- Final Evaluation of the Residency Program – within 14 days of the end of the residency
- Research Track Directed Study Final Submission Form – upon approval of the final directed study project
