2 Routes: Become a Orthotic/Prosthetic practitioner.Everyone's pathway is different. Common routes for OSU students include:
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OSU Bachelor's + Orthotist/Prosthetist School
OSU bachelor's degree then attend a master-level orthotist/prosthetist school.
Steps:
- Earn a bachelor's degree (of your choice) from OSU and complete all of your prerequisite courses for an accredited master-level orthotist/prosthetist program.
- Apply to an accredited orthotist/prosthetist program. If accepted, begin your master-level orthotist/prosthetist professional school program.
- Following your orthotist/prosthetist program and clinical residency requirements, you will be eligible to sit for national boards and state licensure to begin practicing as an orthotist/prosthetist.
- Orthotists and prosthetists may work in both orthotics and prosthetics, or they may choose to specialize in only one area.
- After you have met the requirements and passed the relevant exam(s), you will earn your Certified Orthotist (CO) or Certified Prosthetist (CP) credential. Once you have met the requirements and passed all of the certification exams for both disciplines, you will earn your Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO) credential.
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OSU Bachelor's + Gap Year + Orthotist/Prosthetist School
Taking additional time can be to your advantage as an orthotist/prosthetist school applicant.
Steps:
- Earn a bachelor's degree (of your choice) from OSU and complete all of your prerequisite courses for an accredited master-level orthotist/prosthetist program.
- If you feel you need more holistic development (academic or non-academic) to be ready to professionally apply, consider taking a “gap/enhancement year” to help you further develop.
- Unsure of what to do during a gap year? Visit with the Pre-Professional Health & Law Support Services Office to discuss your options.
- When holistically ready, apply to accredited orthotist/prosthetist program. If accepted, begin your master-level orthotist/prosthetist professional school program.
- Following your orthotist/prosthetist program and clinical residency requirements, you will be eligible to sit for national boards and state licensure to begin practicing as an orthotist/prosthetist.
- Orthotists and prosthetists may work in both orthotics and prosthetics, or they may choose to specialize in only one area.
- After you have met the requirements and passed the relevant exam(s), you will earn your Certified Orthotist (CO) or Certified Prosthetist (CP) credential. Once you have met the requirements and passed all of the certification exams for both disciplines, you will earn your Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO) credential.