Loading...
Loading...
How to become a licensed Orthotist-Prosthetist in South Carolina. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Orthotist/Prosthetist — CPO
Governing Authority
No state licensing board for orthotists and prosthetists
Most information on this page has been verified.
83% of data points are verified against official sources. 6 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
No
License Required
No
ABC Required
Not Required
Residency Req.
No state credential; national credentials include ABC (CO, CP, CPO) and BOC (BOC Orthotist, BOC Prosthetist)
Credential Type
N/A
CE Hours
N/A - No state license required
Total Fees
Master’s Degree & CAAHEP Accreditation
VerifiedMaster’s Degree Required
Not Required
Degree Field
No state education requirement; national certification (ABC) requires master's degree from CAAHEP-accredited program for new practitioners
Program Accreditation
No state requirement; CAAHEP accreditation required for national ABC certification
Clinical Hours
No state requirement; national certification requires clinical education through CAAHEP program and NCOPE residency
Orthotists and prosthetists must earn a master’s degree from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program. Programs typically include coursework in biomechanics, materials science, patient assessment, and clinical practicum in orthotic and prosthetic care.
National Certification Requirements
VerifiedABC Required
Not Required
BOC Accepted
Accepted
Credential Types
No state credential; national credentials include ABC (CO, CP, CPO) and BOC (BOC Orthotist, BOC Prosthetist)
Exam
No state exam required; ABC or BOC national certification voluntary but recommended
The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC) and the Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) are the two national certifying bodies. ABC offers the CO (Certified Orthotist), CP (Certified Prosthetist), and CPO (Certified Prosthetist-Orthotist) credentials. States that require licensure generally mandate ABC certification, with some also accepting BOC certification.
NCOPE-Accredited Residency Training
VerifiedNot Required
Residency
—
Duration
No state residency requirement; national ABC certification requires 12-month NCOPE-accredited residency
NCOPE-Accredited
A 12-month residency accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) is required for national certification. Residencies provide hands-on clinical experience in patient evaluation, device design, fabrication, fitting, and follow-up care under the supervision of a certified practitioner.
State Licensure Requirement
VerifiedNo License Required
State Licensure
N/A - No state license required
License Title
Approximately 20 states require state licensure for orthotists and prosthetists. In states without licensure requirements, practitioners may practice with national ABC or BOC certification. Some states have registration or title protection requirements even without full licensure. Medicare and many insurers require national certification regardless of state licensing requirements.
Practice Scope & Services
Mostly verifiedCustom Orthotics
Permitted
Custom Prosthetics
Permitted
Telehealth
Varies
Patient Assessment
No state-defined scope of practice; practitioners typically follow national standards for patient evaluation
Device Fitting
No state-defined scope; practitioners follow national standards for device design, fabrication, and fitting
Pediatric Devices
No state-specific regulations for pediatric O&P services
Orthotists and prosthetists evaluate patients, design and fabricate custom orthotic and prosthetic devices, perform fittings and adjustments, and provide ongoing patient care. Scope of practice includes custom device fabrication, patient assessment, biomechanical analysis, and pediatric device management. Telehealth consultations are permitted in some states for follow-up care and assessments.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | N/A - No state license required |
License Fee | N/A - No state license required |
Renewal Fee | N/A |
Total Initial Fees National ABC certification fees apply separately | N/A - No state license required |
Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedN/A - No state license required
Renewal Period
N/A
CE Hours Required
N/A
Renewal Fee
CE Details
No state CE requirement. ABC national certification requires 65 CE credits per 5-year cycle. BOC has its own CE requirements for maintaining certification.
State license renewal periods and CE requirements vary. ABC requires 65 CE credits per 5-year certification cycle, while BOC requires 22 CE credits per 3-year cycle. States with licensure typically require additional CE hours per renewal period. CE activities may include clinical coursework, professional conferences, and approved online education in orthotics and prosthetics.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedEndorsement Available
No
Reciprocity Requirements
States with O&P licensure may offer endorsement for practitioners licensed in other states. National ABC or BOC certification is generally recognized across state lines. In states without licensure, practitioners can practice with their national certification without additional state requirements.
South Carolina does not license orthotists or prosthetists at the state level. Practitioners may practice without a state license, though national certification (ABC or BOC) is typically required by employers and insurers.
South Carolina does not require state licensure for orthotists and prosthetists.
National certification through ABC (CO, CP, CPO) or BOC is recommended but not state-mandated.
Employers and insurers may require national certification for employment or reimbursement.
Medicare and most private insurers require ABC or BOC certification for reimbursement.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in South Carolina.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#7 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Orthotists and Prosthetists (SOC 29-2091)
Entry Level
$72,550
25th percentile
Median
$89,860
+15% vs. national avg ($78,310)Experienced
$105,370
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
Source: BLS OEWS – Orthotists and Prosthetists (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+9.6%
High DemandNew Jobs
+900
over 10 years
Annual Openings
600
per year (avg.)
9,600 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Estimated total: 374–394 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: No state licensing board for orthotists and prosthetists — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: No state licensing board for orthotists and prosthetists — Licensing Requirements
Study guides for the ABC certification exam.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
South Carolina does not require state licensure for orthotists and prosthetists. National ABC or BOC certification is recommended. All credentialing is managed through the No state licensing board for orthotists and prosthetists.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.