ABC Certification Eligibility Changed

The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics Inc. (ABC) has modified the eligibility period for all certification-exam candidates. This change, which came into effect on September 1, will apply to all new applicants for the orthotic, prosthetic, pedorthic, technician, and fitter exams.

The new policy states that every individual who is approved to take the exam will receive a three-year eligibility window to pass. In those three years, the candidate will be granted four attempts to obtain his or her certification. The previous eligibility period was four years and four attempts.

ABC said the policy change was made possible by its 2006 switch to a computer-based testing system. Under this new system, certification exams are now given three times per year at more than 250 locations nationwide. Previous exams were given twice per year.