Licensing Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the educational requirements?
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WAC 246-850-020 requires the applicant to possess at least a baccalaureate degree with the appropriate coursework for the profession. And, complete an approved clinical internship or residency as required in WAC 246-850-050. Any questions pertaining to the residency program reach out to The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE)
- When can I take my exams?
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Graduates of an orthotics and prosthetics approved program are eligible to take the Combined O&P Written Multiple Choice Exam while in their three-year clinical residency program. This exam can be taken before you complete your third year of residency program.
To become eligible to take the single discipline Written Simulation and CPM certification exams, you must have completed your approved program in orthotics and prosthetics and completed your clinical residency program through an accredited residency program National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE)
You can apply for your Written Simulation and CPM certification exam six months prior to completing your residency program. The Written Simulation exam is offered every other month and the CPM is offered once every three months.
Any additional questions review the American board for Certification Website.
- How long does the application process take?
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The average application processing time is four to six weeks. The most current application processing times are on our application status webpage.
- What is the application fee?
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All fees are provided in WAC 246-850-990 or you can find it further down on this webpage located under "Fee Schedule".
- How do I renew my credential?
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You must renew your orthotic or prosthetic license annually on or before their birthday. You are required to submit the appropriate fee and attest to completion of hours of continuing education every three years. Refer to WAC 246-850-140, 150, and 160 and 246-12 for more information. You may find additional information on how to renew your credential, request a duplicate credential or change your name or address on our customer service webpage.
- How many hours of continuing education (CE) are required?
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Licensed orthotists shall complete a minimum of forty-five continuing competency hours every three years in the area of orthotics. Licensed prosthetists shall complete a minimum of forty-five continuing competency hours every three years in the area of prosthetics. Individuals who are licensed as both an orthotist and as a prosthetist shall complete a minimum of sixty continuing competency hours every three years (WAC 246-850-140, 150 and 160.
Applications and Forms
- Apply online
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The Washington State Department of Health requires that only the applicant or licensee may complete an attestation for an application, or for continuing education. This is a legal attestation. Completion of the attestation by anyone other than the applicant may constitute a reportable felony offense. The Department of Health can take action against people for perjury or for making a false statement they know to be false.
For further information please see:
- Continuing Education; WAC 246-12-180; How to prove compliance
- Initial and renewal credentialing of practitioners; WAC 246-12-020; How to obtain an initial credential
Washington State law authorizes the Department of Health to obtain fingerprint-based background checks for licensing purposes. This check may be through the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We may require this if you have lived in another state or if you have a criminal record in Washington State. This would be at your own expense.
You must pay the application fee at the time you apply. You may use a credit or debit card with a VISA or MasterCard logo, or pay by ACH/E-Check. Please make sure your address on the payment information screen matches the address your financial institution has on file for you. This fee is non-refundable. There is a convenience fee to apply online.
If we need additional documentation, we'll notify you by email.
There are additional items you may need, in addition to your application:
- Credential Verification (PDF)
- Internship Training Form (PDF)
- Verification of the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc. Exam (PDF)
If you have questions, contact our Customer Service staff members at 360-236-4700.
Getting started
Online Application Instructions
Online application instructions are on our website.
Online applications are accessed through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) security portal. You'll need to add the Department of Health Online Application Portal - Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) Portal service to access the online applications. The first time you add the service, you'll be prompted to answer several questions to verify your identity. The questions will match the name and address you provide with the existing public record information. Because the questions come from public record, you need to provide a complete address and your full legal name as it appears on your driver's license or birth certificate. You may find you have to enter a former address, especially if your address has changed recently (within the past one or two years) to get the right questions that pertain to your identity. If you don't have sufficient information in the public record to verify your identity and aren't currently credentialed by the Department of Health, then you'll need to submit a paper application, as you won't be able to access the Online Application Portal.
Once you have completed the process, and submitted your application, you will receive an email with your pending credential number, or you may look on Provider Credential Search. Refer to this credential number any time you contact Department of Health or submit paperwork.
- Orthotist
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The following forms are required for completing the application process. Please download and print forms.
- Prosthetist
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The following forms are required for completing the application process. Please download and print forms.
- Forms
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The following forms are required for completing the application process. Please download and print forms.
Fee Schedule
- Orthotist
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Non-Refundable Fee Type Fee Amount Application $265 Active renewal $125 Late active renewal penalty $65 Expired credential reissuance fee $190 Inactive credential renewal fee $70 Late inactive renewal penalty $70 Retired active credential renewal fee $50 Late retired active credential renewal penalty $70 Duplicate credential $30 Verification of credential $30 WAC 246-12-340 - Refund of fees
Fees submitted with applications for initial credentialing, examinations, renewal and other fees associated with the licensing and regulation of the profession are nonrefundable.
- Prosthetist
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Non-Refundable Fee Type Fee Amount Application $265 Active renewal $125 Active renewal late penalty $65 Expired credential reissuance fee $190 Inactive credential renewal fee $70 Late Inactive renewal penalty $50 Retired active credential renewal fee $135 Late retired active credential renewal penalty $70 Duplicate credential $30 Verification of credential $30 WAC 246-12-340 - Refund of fees
Fees submitted with applications for initial credentialing, examinations, renewal and other fees associated with the licensing and regulation of the profession are nonrefundable.
Licensing Requirements
- See licensing requirements below
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Education
Applicants for orthotist and prosthetist licenses must provide proof of successfully completing at least a bachelor's degree from an NCOPE- or CAAHEP-approved school. Official transcripts must indicate the degree and the date it was granted. Transcripts not in English must have an official translation.
Internship or residency
Applicants must complete an internship of at least 1,900 hours in each profession for which a license is sought. Internships or residencies must be NCOPE- or CAAHEP-approved.
Examination
Applicants must pass the written multiple choice and the written simulation examinations administered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics in each profession for which a license is sought. Verification must be sent directly from or verified directly with the examination agency.
State license verification
Applicants must list all states where they do or did hold credentials. This list must also include when the applicant has applied for a credential, even if a credential was not granted. The jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed must complete and submit the verification form. The jurisdiction must send the completed form directly to the department.
Personal data questions
Each applicant must answer the personal data questions. If there is a positive answer to the professional liability claims history question, the applicant must send an explanation of the nature of the case, data and summary of care given, copies of the original complaint, and the settlement or final disposition. If a case is pending, the applicant must indicate the status.
Process for approving/denying applications
We finish final review for approval after a credentialing specialist verifies that the application is fully complete, and complies with requirements in chapter 18.200 RCW and chapter 246-850 WAC. We complete background checks and make sure applicants have submitted required fees. Credentialing supervisors and lead workers have the authority to approve routine applications. The disciplining authority may conduct further review if the credentialing supervisor can't verify the applicant meets all requirements. We'll formally notify applicants of a denial. Those applicants may request a hearing to appeal the decision.
Renewal requirements
Orthotists and prosthetists must renew their licenses every year on or before their birthday. They must complete 45 hours of continuing education every three years for each of those two professions in which they are licensed, or 60 hours if licensed in both professions.
Continuing Competency
- See continuing competency requirements below
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Orthotists and prosthetists shall report continuing competency activities every three years. For example: If your birthday is on January 1, 2014, you'll have three years to accumulate the required number of hours. And you'll continue to accumulate and report continuing competency hours every three years thereafter.
Continuing competency activities are broken down into two categories:
- Category one activities are structured activities that are sponsored by nationally or regionally recognized organizations listed in WAC 246-850-150.
- Category two activities are those, which are generally independent and/or unsupervised listed in subsection (2) of WAC 246-850-150.
The rules require that all licensees obtain continuing competency hours as follows:
- Licensed orthotists must accumulate a minimum of 45 hours of continuing competency (CC) hours every three years in the area of orthotics.
- Licensed prosthetists must accumulate a minimum of 45 hours of CC hours every three years in the area of prosthetics.
- Individuals who are licensed in both disciplines must accumulate a minimum of 60 CC hours every three years.
- For individuals licensed in one discipline, a maximum of 18 category two CC hours may be earned in any three-year reporting period.
- For individuals licensed in both disciplines, a maximum of 24 category two continuing competency hours may be earned in any three-year reporting period.
Your annual renewal form will indicate when continuing competency hours are due.
WAC 246-850-150 – classification of categories of continuing competency