Chapter 4755:4-1 | Licensure

Rule 4755:4-1-01 | Applications for initial licensure by examination.

• Effective: October 1, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Applications must be:

(1) Submitted electronically via the Ohio e-license system;

(2) Electronically signed via the Ohio e-license system;

(3) Accompanied by the fee prescribed by rule 4755-66-01 of the Administrative Code; and

(4) Accompanied by such evidence, statements, or documents as specified on the application.

(B) For purposes of filing an electronic renewal application via eLicense Ohio or its successor licensing system, the applicant shall create log-in credentials. The use of these credentials is solely the responsibility of the license holder who created it. The credentials constitute the legally recognized signature for the purposes of this rule and may not be transferred, distributed, or shared with any person.

(C) Any application received in accordance with this rule that remains incomplete one year after the initial application filing will be considered to be abandoned and no further processing will be undertaken with respect to that application.

(1) If the application process extends for a period longer than one year, the board may require updated information as it deems necessary.

(2) No application for licensure may be withdrawn without approval of the board. An applicant may request to withdraw an application by submitting a request through eLicense Ohio.

(3) Submitted fees are neither refundable nor transferable.

(D) The applicant seeking licensure under section 4779.09 of the Revised Code must:

(1) Submit an attestation that the applicant is at least eighteen years old and meets the requirements of section 4779.10, 4779.11, 4779.12, or 4779.13 of the Revised Code.

(2) Pass an examination approved by the board pursuant to section 4779.15 of the Revised Code.

(3) Attestation and submission of fingerprints for criminal record checks by the Ohio bureau of criminal identification and investigation (BCII) and the federal bureau of investigation (FBI), if the application is for the first issuance of a license.

(E) In addition, an application for a license to practice orthotics must document compliance with the following requirements:

(1) A post-secondary educational credential of at least a bachelors degree;

(2) A certificate of completion of a post-graduate certificate program in orthotics, unless the applicant's post-secondary educational credential is a bachelors or masters degree specifically in orthotics and prosthetics;

(3) Completion of a residency program in orthotics consisting of nineteen hundred hours supervised by a practitioner certified in orthotics;

(4) An applicant with an educational credential from a foreign educational institution must show educational equivalence according to rule 4755-63-14 of the Administrative Code.

(F) In addition, an application for a license to practice prosthetics must document compliance with the following requirements:

(1) A post-secondary educational credential of at least a bachelors degree;

(2) A certificate of completion of a post-graduate certificate program in prosthetics, unless the applicant's post-secondary educational credential is a bachelors or masters degree specifically in orthotics and prosthetics;

(3) Completion of a residency program in prosthetics consisting of nineteen hundred hours supervised by a practitioner certified in prosthetics;

(4) An applicant with an educational credential from a foreign educational institution must show educational equivalence according to rule 4755-63-14 of the Administrative Code.

(G) In addition, an application for a license to practice orthotics and prosthetics must document compliance with the following requirements:

(1) A post-secondary educational credential of at least a bachelors degree;

(2) A certificate of completion of post-graduate certificate programs in prosthetics and orthotics, unless the applicant's post-secondary educational credential is a bachelors or masters degree specifically in orthotics and prosthetics;

(3) Completion of a residency program in prosthetics and orthotics, consisting of nineteen hundred hours supervised by a practitioner certified in prosthetics, and nineteen hundred hours supervised by a practitioner certified in orthotics;

(4) An applicant who holds a license in orthotics and successfully completes all the requirements for a license in prosthetics will be issued a new license in prosthetics-orthotics;

(5) An applicant who holds a license in prosthetics and successfully completes all the requirements for a license in orthotics will be issued a new license in prosthetics-orthotics;

(6) An applicant with an educational credential from a foreign educational institution must show educational equivalence according to rule 4755-63-14 of the Administrative Code.

(H) In addition, an application for a license to practice pedorthics must document compliance with the following requirements:

(1) A high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalence.

(2) A statement from the supervising pedorthist, orthotist, prosthetist, or prosthetist-orthotist that the applicant has practiced under the supervisor's oversight and direction. The statement must be provided on a form prescribed by the state board of orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics which requires attestation of completion of one thousand hours of pedorthic care practice under supervision by the licensed supervisor, including at least one hundred hours devoted to each of the following five general areas of service delivery:

(a) Comprehensive assessment and evaluation of patients requiring the full spectrum of pedorthic care, including:

(i) Custom fabricated and custom fitted foot orthoses

(ii) Therapeutic/diabetic shoes, depth shoes and custom shoes

(iii) Prefabricated inserts, custom fitted, moldable and rigid

(iv) Shoe modifications

(v) Retail, non-therapeutic shoes and foot orthoses

(b) Development of a comprehensive treatment plan to provide appropriate pedorthic care.

(c) Selection of materials and components to meet the treatment plan. On-site fabrication of the device where facilities are available. Working knowledge of how various devices are fabricated if fabrication is not done at the facility.

(d) Fitting and appropriate follow-up of the pedorthic device to assure optimal fit and function of the device. This includes modifications and adjustments of the device to ensure proper and continued function and instructing patient on the use and care of the device with verbal and take-home instructions where indicated or required.

(e) Appropriate documentation of patient care and interaction, including records are accurate, current and complete, and that principles and procedures of practice management are understood.

(3) Completion of the training, education, and/or experience requirements necessary to sit for a certification in pedorthics examination in accordance with standards established by the national commission on orthotic and prosthetic education.

Last updated October 2, 2023 at 8:48 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4779.08
Amplifies: 4779.09, 4779.10, 4779.11, 4779.12, 4779.13, 4779.15
Five Year Review Date: 10/1/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 1/23/2003, 11/1/2010

Rule 4755:4-1-02 | Licensure for out-of-state applicants.

• Effective: December 14, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) In accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code, an applicant who holds a license issued by another state may obtain a license to practice orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics in the state of Ohio if the out-of-state applicant qualifies under one of the following paths:

(1) Meets the same standard as for Ohio licensure by:

(a) Qualifying for licensure in the state of Ohio, except for the passage of the examination as required under sections 4779.09 and 4779.15 of the Revised Code; and

(b) Holding a valid license issued by the appropriate licensing entity of another state and not having a license in another state that has been revoked or is currently under suspension or probation or remains under the effect of any other current disciplinary action.

(2) Holds a substantially similar out-of-state occupational license or government certification according to division (A) of section 4796.03 of the Revised Code and the applicant:

(a) Is in good standing in all jurisdictions in which the applicant holds an out-of-state occupational license or government certification to practice the same profession, occupation, or occupational activity for which the applicant is applying in this state; and

(b) Was required to satisfy minimum education, training, or experience requirements or pass an examination to receive the out-of-state occupational license or government certification; and

(c) Has not surrendered or had revoked a license, out-of-state occupational license, or government certification because of negligence or intentional misconduct related to the applicant's work in the same profession, occupation, or occupational activity for which the applicant is applying in this state; and

(d) Has not been convicted of, found guilty pursuant to a judicial finding of, or plead guilty to a criminal offense for which a licensing authority may deny an application for a license or government certification or that would otherwise disqualify the applicant for the license or government certification under the applicable law of this state governing the profession, occupation, or occupational activity for which the applicant is applying.

(3) Holds a private certification and the applicant:

(a) Has held a private certification for at least two years immediately preceding the date the application is submitted and has been actively engaged in the same profession, occupation, or occupational activity as the license or government certification for which the applicant is applying in this state in a state that does not issue an out-of-state occupational license or government certification for the respective profession, occupation, or occupational activity for at least two of the five years immediately preceding the date the application is submitted;

(b) Is in good standing with the private organization that issued the private certification;

(c) Has not surrendered or had revoked a license, out-of-state occupational license, or government certification because of negligence or intentional misconduct related to the applicant's work in the same profession, occupation, or occupational activity for which the applicant is applying in this state; and

(d) Has not been convicted of, found guilty pursuant to a judicial finding of, or plead guilty to a criminal offense for which a licensing authority may deny an application for a license or government certification or that would otherwise disqualify the applicant for the license or government certification under the applicable law of this state governing the profession, occupation, or occupational activity for which the applicant is applying.

(B) Applications must be:

(1) Submitted electronically via the Ohio e-license system;

(2) Electronically signed via the Ohio e-license system;

(3) Accompanied by the fee prescribed by rule 4755-4-01 of the Administrative Code; and

(4) Accompanied by such evidence, statements, or documents as specified on the application, including any documentation necessary to support the qualifications mentioned in this rule, and pursuant to the profession-specific requirements of paragraphs (E) to (H) of rule 4755:4-1-01 of the Administrative Code.

(C) Out-of-state residents must update the Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board within thirty working days of any change in orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics employment in the state of Ohio or any change in state-of-residence or state-of-employment status.

Last updated December 17, 2023 at 10:52 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4779.08, 4796.30
Amplifies: 4779.17, 4796.03, 4796.04
Five Year Review Date: 10/1/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 4/1/2013

Rule 4755:4-1-09 | Unique and exceptional qualifications.

• Effective: October 1, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) "Unique and exceptional qualifications" as used in division (A) of section 4779.08 of the Revised Code means education, training, or experience that qualify a person to perform orthotic or prosthetic care outside of the traditional pathway outlined in section 4779.10, 4779.11, 4779.12, or 4779.17 of the Ohio Revised Code.

(B) The occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers joint board will determine whether a person is uniquely and exceptionally qualified on a case-by-base basis based on the information supplied by the applicant and other information deemed relevant by the board. The joint board shall consult with a member of the orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics advisory committee in determining whether an applicant meets the unique and exceptional qualifications.

(C) Applicants may apply for licensure by unique and exceptional qualifications via one of the following paths:

(1) Experiential

(a) Applicants with at least fifteen years of extensive orthotic or prosthetic experience, including direct patient care, in the discipline for which they have applied. Applicants must demonstrate proof of fifty continuing education hours within the five years prior to submission of application. The board will accept as continuing education units all courses approved by the board for orthotist/prosthetist certification (BOC), and the American board for certification in orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics (ABC). The board will also accept continuing education units as specified by section 4779.24 of the Revised Code; or

(b) Applicants with at least fifteen years of extensive orthotic and prosthetic experience, including direct patient care, when applying to be a licensed prosthetist-orthotist. Applicants must demonstrate proof of seventy continuing education hours within the five years prior to submission of application. The board will accept as continuing education units all courses approved by the board for orthotist/prosthetist certification (BOC), and the American board for certification in orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics (ABC). The board will also accept continuing education units as specified by section 4779.24 of the Revised Code.

(2) Applicants who meet the academic requirements described in division (A)(3) of section 4779.10 of the Revised Code, division (A)(3) of section 4779.11 of the Revised Code, division (A)(3) of section 4779.12 of the Revised Code, or division (A)(3) of section 4779.17 of the Revised Code, but have not completed a professional clinical residency meeting national commission on orthotic and prosthetic education requirements. These applicants shall submit proof of at least two years of applicable orthotic or prosthetic experience within the five years before application that was obtained under supervision of a licensed or certified orthotist or prosthetist in the discipline for which they have applied.

(D) In addition to the requirements described in paragraph (C) of this rule, an applicant must submit:

(1) Two letters of recommendation to the board demonstrating qualifications for licensure; and

(2) Proof of current and unrestricted active certification from either BOC or ABC.

(E) Any applicant applying for licensure under paragraph (C)(2) of this rule must comply with rule 4755-63-14 of the Administrative Code.

Last updated February 15, 2024 at 4:09 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4779.08
Amplifies: 4779.08, 4779.10, 4779.11, 4779.12, 4779.17
Five Year Review Date: 10/1/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 10/11/2021