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Orthotist/Prosthetist — CPO
Orthotist/prosthetist licensing requires a master’s degree from a CAAHEP-accredited program, a 12-month NCOPE-accredited residency, and ABC or BOC certification. Approximately 20 states require state licensure — the rest rely on national certification standards. CE requirements, fees, and scope of practice differ across jurisdictions.
51
Total States
18
Require License
18
Require ABC
Varies
Avg CE Hours
Orthotics and prosthetics licensure involves earning a master’s degree, completing a residency, passing a national certification exam, and meeting state-specific requirements where applicable.
The American Board for Certification (ABC) and Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) are the two national certifying bodies. ABC offers CO, CP, and CPO credentials. Most licensing states require ABC certification, with some also accepting BOC.
A master's degree from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program is the standard educational requirement. Programs cover biomechanics, materials science, patient assessment, and clinical practicum.
A 12-month residency accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) provides hands-on clinical experience in patient care, device design, fabrication, fitting, and follow-up under certified practitioner supervision.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | License Req. | ABC Req. | Residency | CE Hours | Total Fees | Confidence | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | $625 (single discipline); $1,075 (dual discipline) | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | $300 | medium | Mar 2026 |
| California(CA) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | $800 | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | $300 (single discipline); $400 (dual discipline) | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | $400 | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | $400 | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | $450 | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | $600 | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | $535 | medium | Mar 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| New York(NY) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | $200-$350 depending on examination requirement | medium | Mar 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | Contact board for current fee | medium | Mar 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | $100 | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | $300 | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | $50 | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | Contact RI Department of Health for current fee | medium | Mar 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | $300 | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | $300 (single discipline); $400 (dual discipline) | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | $265 | medium | Mar 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | No | No | No | — | N/A - No state license required | medium | Mar 2026 |
Orthotists and prosthetists often work alongside other licensed healthcare professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
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