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Pursuing / Renewing Residency Program Accreditation

The information listed on this page is designed to provide an overview of the requirements to become an NCOPE Accredited Orthotist/Prosthetist Residency Program.  For additional detail, please view the embedded links listed below.  

1. The developing residency program must provide the resident access to a variety of patients:

  • By Age Group: Pediatric (0-17), Adult (18-64), and Geriatric (65 and older)
  • Exposure to Full Episodes of Care Including: Evaluations, Development of Treatment Plans, Shape Capture (Casting/Scanning), Diagnostic Fittings, Deliveries, and Follow-ups.
  • For Orthotic Residency Programs: Foot Orthoses, Ankle Foot Orthoses, Knee Orthoses, Knee Ankle Foot Orthoses, Hip Orthoses Cervical Collars, Thoacolumbosacral Orthoses, Scoliosis Orthoses, Upper Limb Orthoses (including Wrist Hand Orthoses)
  • For Prosthetic Residency Programs: Post-Operative Care (Shrinkers, Rigid Removable Dressings, Limb Protectors), Partial Foot and/or Symes Prostheses, Transitibial Prostheses, Transfemoral Prostheses, Upper Limb Prostheses
  • For Dual-Discipline (Combined O&P) Residency Programs: The volume of prosthetic and orthotic patients must be sufficient such that no less than 40% of the resident’s time is spent providing care in either discipline.

Reference: NCOPE Orthotist/Prosthetist Residency Standards – Standard 2.4

Exposure to these populations must be adequate for the resident to obtain competence, which is defined as having sufficient knowledge, judgment and skill to provide appropriate treatment interventions. It does not suggest an expert or mastery level of ability or skills.  

To learn more about NCOPE Competency-Based Education, please CLICK HERE

2. The individuals serving as the residency program director and residency program mentor must have appropriate experience and training.  

  • Residency Program Director
    • Possess a minimum of a bachelors degree or post-baccalaureate certificate in orthotics and/or prosthetics from a CAAHEP (or previously NCOPE/EAC) accredited O&P school.  
    • Have at least 5 years post-certification or licensure experience.
    • Successfully complete all required sections of the NCOPE Online Residency Development Course.
      • Sections I-III
  • Residency Program Mentor
    • Possess formal degree or post-baccalaureate certificate from in orthotics and/or prosthetics from a CAAHEP (or previously NCOPE/EAC) accredited O&P school.  
    • Have at least 3 years post-certification or licensure experience.
    • Successfully complete all required sections of the NCOPE Online Residency Development Course.
      • Sections II & III

Reference: NCOPE Orthotist/Prosthetist Residency Standards – Standards 4.1 and 4.2

Click HERE to View the NCOPE Residency Program Information Brochure
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