Your ability to construct and fit a patient with a prosthetic device is essential to your profession. But providing a device does not guarantee your patient’s ability to properly use it. Being a prosthetist requires you not only craft well-made devices, but also effectively educate your patient on how to successfully use what you have created to improve his/her quality of life.

That is why you as a candidate are required to have a significant period of patient care experience under a certified practitioner to be eligible to take the exam. While education is fundamental to learning your practice skills, the patient care experience you bring to the exam is indispensable.

As of January 1, 2013, the BOCP Eligibility Prerequisites will require a bachelor’s degree. A Practitioner who is a Prosthetist, BOC-Certified, prior to this date and remains in good standing will not need to fulfill the 2013 requirement of a bachelor's degree.

Eligibility Prerequisites for Prosthetist (BOCP) Certification

Education Requirement

To be eligible to take the Prosthetist, BOC-Certified (BOCP) examinations, an applicant must provide an official transcript demonstrating completion of one of the following:

• A bachelor’s degree with a major in prosthetics, or orthotics and prosthetics, OR
• An associate degree in prosthetics, or orthotics and prosthetics, OR

• Successful course completion in areas related to the practice of orthotics and prosthetics. Qualifying courses* need to cover the following content areas:
  
  • English (100-level minimum).  The course content should focus on expository writing.  Examples of acceptable courses are composition, argumentation, or  technical writing.  Introductory courses in literature or literature electives are not acceptable
  • Psychology (100-level minimum).  A course in Introductory or General Psychology at the 100 level or a course at the 200 level and above is acceptable
  • College Algebra (or higher).  Developmental courses in college algebra are acceptable
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology (200-level minimum)
  • Business/Practice Management (100-200 level course)
  • Medical Terminology (100-level minimum)
  • Human Health & Disease (100-level minimum). The course content should deal with diseases and their effects on the human body
  • CPR**
  • Blood-borne Pathogens***

* Qualifying coursework may be earned from an accredited postsecondary educational institution. Please provide evidence that the content above is covered in your coursework by submitting detailed content outlines or syllabi.
** A certificate earned from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
*** A certificate earned covering OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen standards and protocols.

Clinical Patient Care and Experience Requirement

An eligible candidate will have a minimum of two (2) years (3,800 hours) of experience in providing direct patient care services, with a minimum of one (1) year (1,900 hours) under the direct supervision of a duly certified/licensed individual in the same discipline. For auditing purposes, patient logs should be maintained and kept readily available.

Eligibility Prerequisites for Prosthetist (BOCP) Certification as of January 1, 2013

Education Requirement

To be eligible to apply for the Prosthetist, BOC-Certified (BOCP) examinations, an applicant must provide proper documentation demonstrating completion of:

• A bachelor’s degree in prosthetics, or orthotics and prosthetics, as offered by current educational institutions accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP); OR

• A bachelor’s degree plus a certificate in prosthetics or, orthotics and prosthetics, as offered by current educational institutions accredited by CAAHEP; OR

• A degree earned outside the U.S. that is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in prosthetics, or orthotics and prosthetics, determined to be equivalent by the World Educational Service (WES); or, a non-U.S. degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree as determined by WES, plus a certificate in prosthetics, or orthotics and prosthetics, as offered by educational institutions accredited by CAAHEP.

Clinical Patient Care and Experience Requirement

An eligible candidate will have a minimum of one (1) year of structured clinical affiliation (residency) under the direct supervision of a duly certified/licensed individual in the same discipline. For auditing purposes, patient logs should be maintained and kept readily available.

Reciprocity

BOC offers reciprocity for prosthetists who are currently certified. Reciprocity allows eligible prosthetic professionals to earn BOC certification through credentials currently held through other certifying bodies. Candidates may submit their current, valid certificate and are not required to submit proof of eligibility or sit for BOC exams. To take advantage of this opportunity, complete and submit the reciprocity application along with a copy of your current certification.