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.  

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, II, & 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

Renewing a Residency Program Accreditation Cycle

It is imperative for sites with active residents to reapply so there is no delay or stoppage of current residents registered to your program. A facility must maintain “Active” NCOPE accreditation when a resident is attending your program.

To maintain/renew your status as an NCOPE accredited residency program, please complete and submit the online Application for Accreditation of a Residency Program. The renewal application fee is $630 and the residency program accreditation cycle, once renewed, is for a three (3) year period.

Should the current and prospective Residency Director and Mentor need to complete any/all of the three NCOPE residency program development courses prior to submitting the online application, course registration can be found at NCOPE’s website here: Online Residency Program Development Course. Directors are required to complete all three modules while Mentors are required to complete modules II and III. The application requires uploads of these completed course certificates so your renewal process will be approved faster if these are completed prior to filling out the application.

More specific information and requirements regarding hosting a residency site can be found in our Orthotic and Prosthetic Residency Standards.

Once we receive the application, an initial review will be completed and should no further information be needed, the application will be forwarded to NCOPE’s professional application review committee for recommendation of accreditation (please allow up to 6 weeks for the review/recommendation process to be completed). Once approved, a certificate of accreditation will be issued to your email. Again, a facility must maintain “Active” NCOPE accreditation when a resident is attending your program.

The application fee can be paid through the NCOPE Payment Portal.

Please note: both the application AND application fee are required to renew a residency site.

Please contact Claire Doyle, NCOPE’s Residency Program Services Coordinator, for any questions about residency program accreditation: cdoyle@ncope.org. 

To learn about upcoming changes, please refer to the Dual Credential Pathway for Residency and Certification FAQ.