A Certified Orthotist C.O.(c) is a health care professional who specializes in the treatment of people with the use of externally applied devices (orthoses) which are used to support, align and protect parts of the body, prevent deformity and assist function for those individuals who may have neurological, muscular or orthopaedic conditions as the result of injury or disease.
The Canadian Board for Certification of Prosthetists and Orthotists (CBCPO) is the regulatory body for Certified Orthotists and is responsible for creating and maintaining standards for Certified Orthotists, Orthotic Residents, Accredited Educational Facilities, and Accredited Healthcare Facilites in Canada. CBCPO is recognized world wide for the high standards set for the orthotic and prosthetic professions.
In order to be awarded certification by CBCPO an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- fluent in English or French
- Canadian citizen or legal landed immigrant
- must have graduated by a CBCPO accredited and officially recognized post-secondary clinical Prosthetic and Orthotic school
- must complete a minimum 3450 hours of Residency in Orthotics under the direct supervision of a Certified Orthotist in good standing with CBCPO
- apply and sit the national certification examinations
- must pass all sections of the three day national exam including written, practical and oral sections
- must be recommended to the CBCPO Board of Directors by the Examination Committee for the award of Certification
- must be accepted by the Board of Directors for the award of Certification for a five year term, subject to renewal
Once Certified, the C.O.(c) must complete Mandatory Continuing Education on a regular basis.
For more information on the specifics of Certification please go to www.cbcpo.ca/about
At Custom Orthotic Design Group Ltd., we have five Certified Orthotists and one Orthotic Resident who are responsible for caring for all of our patients. if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask anyone of us for more information.
