Chapter 4779 | Orthotists, Prosthetists, Pedorthists

Section 4779.01 | Orthotist, prosthetist and pedorthist definitions.

• Effective: June 6, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 94 - 124th General Assembly

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Accommodative" means designed with the primary goal of conforming to the anatomy of a particular individual.

(B) "Full-time" means not less than one thousand six hundred hours per year.

(C) "Inlay" means any removable material on which the foot rests inside a shoe and that may be an integral design component of the shoe.

(D) "Orthotics" means the evaluation, measurement, design, fabrication, assembly, fitting, adjusting, servicing, or training in the use of an orthotic or pedorthic device, or the repair, replacement, adjustment, or service of an existing orthotic or pedorthic device. It does not include upper extremity adaptive equipment used to facilitate the activities of daily living, finger splints, wrist splints, prefabricated elastic or fabric abdominal supports with or without metal or plastic reinforcing stays and other prefabricated soft goods requiring minimal fitting, nontherapeutic accommodative inlays, shoes that are not manufactured or modified for a particular individual, prefabricated foot care products, durable medical equipment, dental appliances, pedorthic devices, or devices implanted into the body by a physician.

(E) "Orthotic device" means a custom fabricated or fitted medical device used to support, correct, or alleviate neuromuscular or musculoskeletal dysfunction, disease, injury, or deformity.

(F) "Pedorthics" means the evaluation, measurement, design, fabrication, assembly, fitting, adjusting, servicing, or training in the use of a pedorthic device, or the repair, replacement, adjustment, or servicing of a pedorthic device.

(G) "Pedorthics device" means a custom fabricated or fitted therapeutic shoe, shoe modification for therapeutic purposes, prosthetic filler of the forefoot, or foot orthosis for use from the apex of the medial malleolus and below. It does not include an arch support, a nontherapeutic accommodative inlay, nontherapeutic accommodative footwear, prefabricated footcare products, or unmodified, over-the-counter shoes.

(H) "Prosthetics" means the evaluation, measurement, design, fabrication, assembly, fitting, adjusting, servicing, or training in the use of a prosthesis or pedorthic device, or the repair, replacement, adjustment, or service of a prosthesis or pedorthic device.

(I) "Prosthesis" means a custom fabricated or fitted medical device used to replace a missing appendage or other external body part. It includes an artificial limb, hand, or foot, but does not include devices implanted into the body by a physician, artificial eyes, intraocular lenses, dental appliances, ostomy products, cosmetic devices such as breast prostheses, eyelashes, wigs, or other devices that do not have a significant impact on the musculoskeletal functions of the body.

Section 4779.02 | License required.

• Effective: October 17, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (B) or (C) of this section, no person shall practice or represent that the person is authorized to practice orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics unless the person holds a current, valid license issued or renewed under this chapter.

(B) Division (A) of this section does not apply to any of the following:

(1) An individual who holds a current, valid license, certificate, or registration issued under Chapter 4723., 4729., 4730., 4731., 4734., or 4755. of the Revised Code and is practicing within the individual's scope of practice under statutes and rules regulating the individual's profession;

(2) An individual who practices orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics as an employee of the federal government and is engaged in the performance of duties prescribed by statutes and regulations of the United States;

(3) An individual who provides orthotic, prosthetic, or pedorthic services under the supervision of a licensed orthotist, prosthetist, or pedorthist in accordance with section 4779.04 of the Revised Code;

(4) An individual who provides orthotic, prosthetic, or pedorthic services as part of an educational, certification, or residency program approved by the Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board under sections 4779.25 to 4779.27 of the Revised Code;

(5) An individual who provides orthotic, prosthetic, or pedorthic services under the direct supervision of an individual authorized under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery.

(C) Division (A) of this section does not prohibit an individual who is not licensed under this chapter to practice prosthetics or orthotics and prosthetics from engaging in the 3-D printing of open-source prosthetic kits if the individual has been granted the authority to engage in that activity by the Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board under section 4779.40 of the Revised Code. Such an individual shall not represent that the individual is authorized to practice prosthetics or orthotics and prosthetics under this chapter.

Section 4779.03 | Unauthorized use of titles.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 509 - 134th General Assembly

No person shall use the titles "licensed orthotist," "licensed prosthetist," "licensed orthotist-prosthetist," or "licensed pedorthist," the initials "L.O.," "L.P.," "L.O.P.," or "L.Ped.," or any other title or initials to represent that the person is licensed to practice orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics, unless the person holds a current, valid license issued or renewed under this chapter.

Last updated March 22, 2023 at 1:08 PM

Section 4779.04 | Supervision by licensee.

• Effective: October 27, 2001
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 238 - 123rd General Assembly

No individual who provides orthotic, prosthetic, or pedorthic services under the supervision of an individual licensed under this chapter, as provided in division (B)(3) of section 4779.02 of the Revised Code, shall do so unless all of the following are the case:

(A) The individual does not perform any services that the supervising orthotist, prosthetist, orthotist-prosthetist, or pedorthist is not authorized to perform;

(B) During the initial evaluation of any patient who can reasonably be expected to require orthotic, prosthetic, or pedorthic services and during the fitting and delivery of an orthotic or pedorthic device or prosthesis, the supervising orthotist, prosthetist, orthotist-prosthetist, or pedorthist is physically present;

(C) At times other than those described in division (B) of this section, the supervising orthotist, prosthetist, orthotist-prosthetist, or pedorthist is either physically present at the location where the individual is practicing or is readily available to the individual through some means of telecommunication and is in a location that under normal circumstances is not more than sixty minutes travel time away from the location where the individual is practicing.

No individual licensed under this chapter may supervise more than four individuals not licensed to practice orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics who are practicing orthotic, prosthetic, or pedorthic services.

Section 4779.08 | Administrative rules.

• Effective: April 12, 2021
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 68 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) The Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code to carry out the purposes of this chapter, including rules prescribing all of the following:

(1) The form and manner of filing of applications to be admitted to examinations and for licensure and license renewal;

(2) Standards and procedures for formulating, evaluating, approving, and administering licensing examinations or recognizing other entities that conduct examinations;

(3) The form, scoring, and scheduling of licensing examinations;

(4) Fees for examinations and applications for licensure and license renewal;

(5) Fees for approval of continuing education courses;

(6) Procedures for issuance, renewal, suspension, and revocation of licenses and the conduct of disciplinary hearings;

(7) The schedule to be used for biennial renewal of licenses;

(8) Standards of ethical and professional conduct in the practice of orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics;

(9) Standards for approving national certification organizations in orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics;

(10) Fines for violations of this chapter;

(11) Standards for the recognition and approval of educational programs required for licensure, including standards for approving foreign educational credentials;

(12) Standards for continuing education programs required for license renewal;

(13) The amount, scope, and nature of continuing education activities required for license renewal, including waivers of the continuing education requirements;

(14) Provisions for making available the information described in section 4779.22 of the Revised Code;

(15) Requirements for criminal records checks of applicants under section 4776.03 of the Revised Code;

(16) Requirements for an individual who is not licensed under this chapter to practice prosthetics or orthotics and prosthetics to engage in the 3-D printing of open-source prosthetic kits;

(17) Requirements for an applicant to be eligible for an orthotics, prosthetics, or orthotics and prosthetics license because of the applicant's unique and exceptional qualifications based on the recommendations submitted to the board by the orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics advisory council under section 4779.35 of the Revised Code, including standards for satisfactory evidence that demonstrate the applicant's qualifications through the applicant's education, experience, or training.

(B) The board may adopt any other rules necessary for the administration of this chapter.

(C) All fees received by the board under this section shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the occupational licensing and regulatory fund established in section 4743.05 of the Revised Code.

Section 4779.09 | Applying for license.

• Effective: October 9, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 263 - 133rd General Assembly

An applicant for a license to practice orthotics, prosthetics, orthotics and prosthetics, or pedorthics shall apply to the Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board in accordance with rules adopted under section 4779.08 of the Revised Code and pay the application fee specified in the rules. The board shall issue a license to an applicant who is eighteen years of age or older and meets either the requirements of divisions (A) and (B) of this section or the requirements of section 4779.17 of the Revised Code.

(A) The applicant must pass an examination conducted pursuant to section 4779.15 of the Revised Code;

(B) The applicant must meet the requirements of one of the following:

(1) In the case of an applicant for a license to practice orthotics, the requirements of section 4779.10 of the Revised Code;

(2) In the case of an applicant for a license to practice prosthetics, the requirements of section 4779.11 of the Revised Code;

(3) In the case of an applicant for a license to practice orthotics and prosthetics, the requirements of section 4779.12 of the Revised Code;

(4) In the case of an applicant for a license to practice pedorthics, the requirements of section 4779.13 of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 9, 2021 at 5:11 AM

Section 4779.091 | License applicant to comply with RC Chapter 4776.

• Effective: October 9, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 263 - 133rd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "license" and "applicant for an initial license" have the same meanings as in section 4776.01 of the Revised Code, except that "license" as used in both of those terms refers to the types of authorizations otherwise issued or conferred under this chapter.

(B) In addition to any other eligibility requirement set forth in this chapter, each applicant for an initial license shall comply with sections 4776.01 to 4776.04 of the Revised Code. The Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board shall not grant a license to an applicant for an initial license unless the applicant complies with sections 4776.01 to 4776.04 of the Revised Code.

Last updated October 9, 2021 at 5:11 AM

Section 4779.10 | Eligibility for license - orthotics.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 509 - 134th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, to be eligible for a license to practice orthotics, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

(1) The applicant has completed an orthotics residency program approved by the Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board under section 4779.27 of the Revised Code.

(2) One of the following is the case:

(a) The applicant holds a bachelor's degree in orthotics and prosthetics from an accredited college or university whose orthotics and prosthetics program is recognized by the board under section 4779.25 of the Revised Code or an equivalent educational credential from a foreign educational institution recognized by the board.

(b) The applicant holds a bachelor's degree in a subject other than orthotics and prosthetics or an equivalent educational credential from a foreign educational institution recognized by the board and has completed a certificate program in orthotics recognized by the board under section 4779.26 of the Revised Code.

(B) The board may issue a license to practice orthotics to an applicant with unique and exceptional qualifications who meets the requirements to be issued the license established by rules adopted under section 4779.08 of the Revised Code.

Last updated March 22, 2023 at 1:08 PM

Section 4779.11 | Eligibility for license - prosthetics.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 509 - 134th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, to be eligible for a license to practice prosthetics, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

(1) The applicant has completed a prosthetics residency program approved by the Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board under section 4779.27 of the Revised Code.

(2) One of the following is the case:

(a) The applicant holds a bachelor's degree in orthotics and prosthetics from an accredited college or university whose orthotics and prosthetics program is recognized by the board under section 4779.25 of the Revised Code or an equivalent educational credential from a foreign educational institution recognized by the board.

(b) The applicant holds a bachelor's degree in a subject other than orthotics and prosthetics or an equivalent educational credential from a foreign educational institution recognized by the board and has completed a certificate program in prosthetics recognized by the board under section 4779.26 of the Revised Code.

(B) The board may issue a license to practice prosthetics to an applicant with unique and exceptional qualifications who meets the requirements to be issued the license established by rules adopted under section 4779.08 of the Revised Code.

Last updated March 22, 2023 at 1:09 PM

Section 4779.12 | Eligibility for license - orthotics and prosthetics.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 509 - 134th General Assembly

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, to be eligible for a license to practice orthotics and prosthetics, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

(1) The applicant has completed an orthotics and prosthetics residency program approved by the Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board under section 4779.27 of the Revised Code.

(2) One of the following is the case:

(a) The applicant holds a bachelor's degree in orthotics and prosthetics from an accredited college or university whose orthotics and prosthetics program is recognized by the board under section 4779.25 of the Revised Code or an equivalent educational credential from a foreign educational institution recognized by the board.

(b) The applicant holds a bachelor's degree in a subject other than orthotics and prosthetics or an equivalent educational credential from a foreign educational institution recognized by the board and has completed a certificate program in orthotics and prosthetics recognized by the board under section 4779.26 of the Revised Code.

(B) The board may issue a license to practice orthotics and prosthetics to an applicant with unique and exceptional qualifications who meets the requirements to be issued the license established by rules adopted under section 4779.08 of the Revised Code.

Last updated March 22, 2023 at 1:10 PM

Section 4779.13 | Eligibility for license - pedorthics.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

To be eligible for a license to practice pedorthics, an applicant must meet both of the following requirements:

(A) Holds a high school diploma or certificate of high school equivalence issued by the department of education and workforce, or a primary-secondary education or higher education agency of another state;

(B) Has completed the education, training, and experience required to take the certification examination developed by the Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board for certification in pedorthics or an equivalent successor organization recognized by the board.

Last updated September 22, 2023 at 3:32 PM

Section 4779.15 | Conducting examinations.

• Effective: January 21, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

Except as provided in section 4779.17 of the Revised Code, the Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board shall examine or cause to be examined each individual who seeks to practice orthotics, prosthetics, orthotics and prosthetics, or pedorthics in this state.

To be eligible to take an examination conducted by the board or an entity recognized by the board for the purpose of this section, an individual must file an application and pay an examination fee as specified in rules adopted by the board under section 4779.08 of the Revised Code and meet all the requirements of section 4779.09 of the Revised Code other than the requirement of having passed the examination.

Examinations shall be conducted at least once a year in accordance with rules adopted by the board under section 4779.08 of the Revised Code. Each applicant shall be examined in such subjects as the board requires.

The board may use as its examination all or part of a standard orthotics, prosthetics, orthotics and prosthetics, or pedorthics licensing examination established for the purpose of determining the competence of individuals to practice orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics in the United States. In lieu of conducting examinations, the board may accept the results of examinations conducted by entities recognized by the board.

Section 4779.17 | Issuing license without examination - nonresidents.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 131, House Bill 509 - 134th General Assembly

The Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board shall issue a license under section 4779.09 of the Revised Code to practice orthotics, prosthetics, orthotics and prosthetics, or pedorthics in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to an applicant if either of the following applies:

(A) The applicant holds a license in another state.

(B) The applicant has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter in orthotics, prosthetics, orthotics and prosthetics, or pedorthics in a state that does not issue that license.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 5:26 AM

Section 4779.19 | Term of license.

• Effective: September 28, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 111 - 132nd General Assembly

A license issued under section 4779.09 of the Revised Code or renewed under section 4779.20 of the Revised Code is valid from the date of issuance until the date it expires, unless earlier suspended or revoked. An initial license and each renewed license expires biennially in accordance with the schedule established in rules adopted under section 4779.08 of the Revised Code.

Section 4779.20 | Renewing license.

• Effective: September 28, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 111 - 132nd General Assembly

An individual seeking to renew a license issued under section 4779.09 of the Revised Code shall, on or before the day the license expires pursuant to section 4779.19 of the Revised Code, apply for renewal. The Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board shall send renewal notices at least one month prior to the expiration date.

Applications shall be submitted to the board electronically. Each application shall be accompanied by a renewal fee specified in rules adopted by the board under section 4779.08 of the Revised Code, except that the board may waive part of the renewal fee for the first renewal of an initial license that expires one hundred days or less after it is issued.

To be eligible for renewal, an applicant must have completed the continuing education requirements prescribed by the board in rules adopted under section 4779.08 of the Revised Code. On the board's request, an applicant shall submit evidence satisfactory to the board that the requirements were completed.

Section 4779.21 | Maintaining board records.

• Effective: January 21, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

The Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board shall maintain records regarding the practice of orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics under this chapter, including records of the board's proceedings, a registry of all applicants for licensure that indicates whether the applicant was granted a license, and any other records necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

Section 4779.22 | Publishing and making available to the public written information.

• Effective: January 21, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) The Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board shall publish and make available to the public written information regarding both of the following:

(1) The board's regulatory functions over the practice of orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics and the provisions of this chapter;

(2) The procedures by which complaints are filed with the board, which shall include a description of the complaint procedures and the name, mailing address, and telephone number of the board.

(B) The board shall make the information described in division (A) of this section available to all of the following:

(1) Consumers of orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic goods and services;

(2) Individuals licensed by the board under this chapter;

(3) Nationally recognized orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic certifying and accrediting organizations;

(4) Nationally recognized orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic educational organizations;

(5) Any other entity that may reasonably require the information.

(C) The board may make available any of the information described in division (A) of this section by adopting a rule under section 4779.08 of the Revised Code requiring the information to be displayed in any of the following ways:

(1) On each registration form or application prepared by the board;

(2) On a sign prominently displayed in the place of business of each individual licensed under this chapter;

(3) In each bill or written contract for services provided by an individual licensed under this chapter.

Section 4779.23 | Continuing education.

• Effective: January 21, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) To be eligible for approval by the Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board, a continuing education course must satisfy all of the following requirements:

(1) Include significant intellectual or practical content and be designed to improve the professional competence of participants;

(2) Deal with matters directly related to the practice of orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics, including professional responsibility, ethical obligations, or similar subjects that the board considers necessary to maintain and improve the quality of orthotic and prosthetic services in this state;

(3) Involve in-person instruction, except that a course may use self-study materials if the materials are prepared and presented by a group with appropriate practical experience;

(4) Be presented in a setting that is physically suited to the course;

(5) Include thorough, high-quality written material;

(6) Meet any other requirements the board considers appropriate.

(B) The board shall, in accordance with the standards in division (A) of this section, review and approve continuing education courses. If the board does not approve a course, it shall provide a written explanation of the reason for the denial to the person that requested approval. The board may approve continuing education courses approved by boards of other states that regulate orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics if the other board's standards for approving continuing education courses are equivalent to the standards established pursuant to division (A) of this section.

Section 4779.24 | Continuing education units.

• Effective: January 21, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

The Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board shall grant continuing education units to individuals licensed under this chapter on the following basis:

(A) For completing a continuing education course approved by the board under section 4779.23 of the Revised Code, one unit for each hour of instruction received;

(B) For teaching as a faculty member a course in orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics that is part of the curriculum of an institution of higher education, one-half unit for each semester hour of the course, or an equivalent unit for each quarter or trimester hour of the course;

(C) For teaching other than as a faculty member a course that is part of an institution of higher education's orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics curriculum, one unit for each hour teaching the course;

(D) For teaching a continuing education course that is approved by the board under section 4779.23 of the Revised Code that is not part of an institution of higher education's orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics curriculum, three units for each hour teaching the course for the first time and one-half unit for each hour teaching the course each time thereafter.

Section 4779.25 | Recognizing bachelor's degree program.

• Effective: January 21, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

The Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board shall recognize an institution of higher education's bachelor's degree program in orthotics and prosthetics if the program satisfies all of the following requirements:

(A) Provides not less than two semesters or three quarters of instruction in orthotics and two semesters or three quarters of instruction in prosthetics;

(B) Requires as a condition of entry a high school diploma or certificate of high school equivalence;

(C) Includes a written description of the program that includes learning goals, course objectives, and competencies for graduation;

(D) Requires frequent, documented evaluation of students to assess their acquisition of knowledge, problem identification and solving skills, and psychomotor, behavioral, and clinical competencies;

(E) Requires as a condition of entry successful completion of courses in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, computer science, algebra or higher math, human anatomy with a laboratory section, and physiology with a laboratory section;

(F) Requires formal instruction in biomechanics, gait analysis and pathometrics, kinesiology, pathology, materials science, research methods, and diagnostic imaging techniques;

(G) Requires students as a condition of graduation to demonstrate orthotics skills, including measurement, impression-taking, model rectification, and fitting and alignment of orthoses for the lower limbs, upper limbs, and spines;

(H) Requires students as a condition of graduation to complete training in orthotic systems, including foot orthosis, ankle-foot orthosis, knee orthosis, knee-ankle-foot orthosis, hip-knee-ankle orthosis, hip orthosis, wrist-hand orthosis, cervical-thoracic-lumbo-sacral orthosis, thoracolumbo-sacral orthosis, lumbo-sacral orthosis, HALO, fracture management, RGO, standing frames, and seating;

(I) Requires students as a condition of graduation to demonstrate prosthetic skills that include measurement, impression-taking, model rectification, diagnostic fitting, definitive fitting, postoperative management, external power, and static and dynamic alignment of sockets related to various amputation levels, including partial foot, Syme's below knee, above knee, below elbow, above elbow, and the various joint disarticulations;

(J) Requires as a condition of graduation students to complete not less than five hundred hours of supervised clinical experience that focus on patient-related activities, including recommendation, measurement, impression-taking, model rectification, fabrication, fitting, and evaluating patients in the use and function of orthotics and prosthetics;

(K) Provides for the evaluation of the program's compliance with the requirements of this section through regular, on-site visits conducted by a team of qualified individuals from a nationally recognized orthotic, prosthetic, or orthotic and prosthetic certifying body;

(L) Meets any other standards adopted by the board under section 4779.08 of the Revised Code.

Section 4779.26 | Recognizing certificate program.

• Effective: January 21, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

The Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board shall recognize a certificate program in orthotics, prosthetics, or orthotics and prosthetics if the program satisfies all of the following requirements:

(A) Meets the requirements in divisions (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (K), and (L) of section 4779.25 of the Revised Code;

(B) In the case of a certificate program in orthotics, the program does all of the following:

(1) Provides not less than two semesters or three quarters of instruction in orthotics;

(2) Requires students to complete not less than two hundred fifty hours of supervised clinical experience that focuses on patient-related activities, recommendation, measurement, impression-taking, model rectification, fabrication, fitting, and evaluating patients in the use and function of orthotics;

(3) Meets the requirements in divisions (G) and (H) of section 4779.25 of the Revised Code.

(C) In the case of a certificate program in prosthetics, the program does all of the following:

(1) Provides not less than two semesters or three quarters of instruction in prosthetics;

(2) Requires students to complete not less than two hundred fifty hours of supervised clinical experience that focuses on patient-related activities, recommendation, measurement, impression-taking, model rectification, fabrication, fitting, and evaluating patients in the use and function of prosthetics;

(3) Meets the requirements in divisions (F) and (I) of section 4779.25 of the Revised Code.

(D) In the case of a certificate program in orthotics and prosthetics, the program does both of the following:

(1) Provides not less than two semesters or three quarters of instruction in orthotics and two semesters or three quarters of instruction in prosthetics;

(2) Meets the requirements in divisions (H) and (I) of section 4779.25 of the Revised Code.

Section 4779.27 | Residency programs approval.

• Effective: January 21, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

The Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board shall approve a residency program in orthotics, prosthetics, or orthotics and prosthetics if the program does all of the following:

(A) Requires a bachelor's degree as a condition of entry;

(B) Does one of the following:

(1) In the case of a residency program in orthotics, provides two semesters or three quarters of instruction in orthotics;

(2) In the case of a residency program in prosthetics, provides two semesters or three quarters of instruction in prosthetics;

(3) In the case of a residency program in orthotics and prosthetics, provides two semesters or three quarters of instruction in orthotics and two semesters or three quarters of instruction in prosthetics.

(C) Meets the requirements in divisions (K) and (L) of section 4779.25 of the Revised Code;

(D) Provides residents with a sufficient variety and volume of clinical experiences to give them adequate educational experience in the acute, rehabilitative, and chronic aspects of orthotics and prosthetics, including recommendation, measurement, impression-taking, model rectification, fabrication, fitting, and evaluating patients in the use and function of orthotics and prosthetics;

(E) Provides residents with sufficient training in clinical assessment, patient management, technical implementation, practice management, and professional responsibility.

Section 4779.28 | Disciplinary actions.

• Effective: October 9, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

(A) The Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board, pursuant to an adjudication under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, and except as provided in division (B) of this section, may limit, revoke, or suspend a license issued under this chapter, may refuse to issue a license to an applicant, or may reprimand, fine, place a license holder on probation, or may require the license holder to take corrective action courses, for any of the following reasons:

(1) Conviction of, or a plea of guilty to, a misdemeanor or felony involving moral turpitude;

(2) Any violation of this chapter;

(3) Committing fraud, misrepresentation, or deception in applying for or securing a license issued under this chapter;

(4) Habitual use of drugs or intoxicants to the extent that it renders the person unfit to practice;

(5) Violation of any rule adopted by the board under section 4779.08 of the Revised Code;

(6) A departure from, or failure to conform to, minimal standards of care of similar orthotists, prosthetists, orthotists-prosthetists, or pedorthists under the same or similar circumstances, regardless of whether actual injury to a patient is established;

(7) Obtaining or attempting to obtain money or anything of value by fraudulent misrepresentation in the course of practice;

(8) Publishing a false, fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading statement;

(9) Waiving the payment of all or part of a deductible or copayment that a patient, pursuant to a health insurance or health care policy, contract, or plan, would otherwise be required to pay, if the waiver is used as an enticement to a patient or group of patients to receive health care services from a person who holds a license issued under this chapter;

(10) Advertising that a person who holds a license issued under this chapter will waive the payment of all or part of a deductible or copayment that a patient, pursuant to a health insurance or health care policy, contract, or plan, that covers the person's services, would otherwise be required to pay;

(11) Denial, revocation, suspension, or restriction of authority to practice a health care occupation, including orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics, for any reason other than a failure to renew, in Ohio or another state or jurisdiction;

(12) Regardless of whether it is consensual, engaging in any of the following with a patient other than the spouse of the orthotist, prosthetist, orthotist-prosthetist, or pedorthist:

(a) Sexual contact, as defined in section 2907.01 of the Revised Code;

(b) Sexual conduct, as defined in section 2907.01 of the Revised Code;

(c) Verbal behavior that is sexually demeaning to the patient or may be reasonably interpreted by the patient as sexually demeaning.

(B) The board shall not refuse to issue a license to an applicant because of a conviction of or plea of guilty to an offense unless the refusal is in accordance with section 9.79 of the Revised Code.

(C) For the purpose of investigating whether a person is engaging or has engaged in conduct described in division (A) of this section, the board may administer oaths, order the taking of depositions, issue subpoenas, examine witnesses, and compel the attendance of witnesses and production of books, accounts, papers, records, documents, and testimony.

Last updated January 13, 2023 at 1:27 PM

Section 4779.281 | Administrative hearing costs.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

A person sanctioned under section 4779.28 of the Revised Code shall pay a fee in the amount of the actual cost of the administrative hearing, including the cost of the court reporter, the hearing officer, transcripts, and any witness fees for lodging and travel, as determined by the Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board. The fee shall be collected by the board.

Last updated September 9, 2021 at 4:06 PM

Section 4779.29 | Suspension of license without adjudicatory hearing.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

If the Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board determines that there is clear and convincing evidence that an individual licensed under this chapter is engaging or has engaged in conduct described in division (A) of section 4779.28 of the Revised Code and that the license holder's continued practice presents a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public, the board may suspend the individual's license without an adjudicatory hearing. A telephone conference call may be used for reviewing the matter and taking the vote.

If the board votes to suspend an individual's license, the board shall serve a written order of suspension in accordance with sections 119.05 and 119.07 of the Revised Code. The order is not subject to suspension by a court during pendency of any appeal filed under section 119.12 of the Revised Code. If the license holder requests an adjudicatory hearing by the board, the date set for the hearing shall be not later than fifteen days, but not earlier than seven days, after the request, unless otherwise agreed to by the board and the license holder.

Any suspension imposed under this section shall remain in effect, unless reversed on appeal, until a final adjudicative order issued by the board pursuant to section 119.12 of the Revised Code becomes effective. The board shall issue its final adjudicative order within sixty days after completion of its hearing. A failure to issue an order within sixty days shall result in the dissolution of the summary suspension order, but shall not invalidate any subsequent, final adjudicative order.

Last updated October 3, 2023 at 2:04 PM

Section 4779.30 | Allegation of mental incompetence or illness.

• Effective: January 21, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

If the Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board has reason to believe that a person who holds a license issued under this chapter is mentally ill or mentally incompetent, it may file in the probate court of the county in which the person has a legal residence an affidavit in the form prescribed in section 5122.11 of the Revised Code and signed by the secretary of the board, whereupon the same proceeding shall be had as provided in Chapter 5122. of the Revised Code. The attorney general may represent the board in any proceeding commenced under this section.

If an individual who has been granted a license under this chapter is adjudicated by a probate court to be mentally ill or mentally incompetent, the individual's license shall be automatically suspended until the individual has filed with the board a certified copy of an adjudication by a probate court of the individual's subsequent restoration to competency or has submitted to the board proof, satisfactory to the board, of having been restored to competency in the manner and form provided in section 5122.38 of the Revised Code. The judge of the court shall immediately notify the board of an adjudication of incompetence and note any suspension of a license in the margin of the court's record of the certificate. In the absence of fraud or bad faith, neither the board nor any agent, representative, or employee of the board shall be held liable in damages by any person by reason of the filing of the affidavit referred to in this section.

Section 4779.31 | Reinstating licenses.

• Effective: January 21, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

Before reinstating a license issued under this chapter that has been suspended for more than two years, the Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board may require an individual to pass the appropriate licensing examination.

Section 4779.32 | Allegations to be written and verified.

• Effective: January 21, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

If any person makes an allegation against an individual who holds a license issued under this chapter, the allegation shall be reduced to writing and verified by a person who is familiar with the facts underlying the allegation. The person making the allegation shall file the allegation with the Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board. If a person alleges that a license holder is engaging or has engaged in conduct described in division (A) of section 4779.28 of the Revised Code, the board may proceed with an adjudication hearing under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. The board shall retain the information filed under this section in accordance with rules adopted by the board under section 4779.08 of the Revised Code.

Section 4779.33 | Enforcement.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

(A) The Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board shall enforce the laws relating to the practice of orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics. If the board has knowledge of a violation, the board shall investigate the violation and notify the prosecuting attorney of the proper county.

(B)(1) Subject to division (B)(2) of this section, information and records received or generated by the board pursuant to an investigation are confidential, are not public records as defined in section 149.43 of the Revised Code, and are not subject to discovery in any civil or administrative action.

(2) For good cause, the board may disclose information gathered pursuant to an investigation to any federal, state, or local law enforcement, prosecutorial, or regulatory agency or its officers or agents engaging in an investigation the board believes is within the agency's jurisdiction. An agency that receives confidential information shall comply with the same requirements regarding confidentiality as those with which the board must comply, notwithstanding any conflicting provision of the Revised Code or procedure of the agency that applies when the agency is dealing with other information in its possession. The information may be admitted into evidence in a criminal trial in accordance with the Rules of Evidence, or in an administrative hearing conducted by an agency, but the court or agency shall require that appropriate measures be taken to ensure that confidentiality is maintained with respect to any part of the information that contains names or other identifying information about patients, complainants, or others whose confidentiality was protected by the board when the information was in the board's possession. Measures to ensure confidentiality that may be taken by the court or agency include sealing its records or redacting specific information from its records.

Last updated August 24, 2021 at 2:26 PM

Section 4779.34 | Compliance with law regarding sanctions for human trafficking.

• Effective: January 21, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

The Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board shall comply with section 4776.20 of the Revised Code.

Section 4779.35 | Orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics advisory council.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) The Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board shall appoint an orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics advisory council for the purpose of advising the board on issues relating to the practice of orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics and the investigation of complaints regarding the practice of orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics.

The advisory council shall consist of not more than five individuals knowledgeable in the area of orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics. A majority of the council members shall be individuals actively engaged in the practice of orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics who meet the requirements for licensure under Chapter 4779. of the Revised Code.

The Ohio orthotics and prosthetics association, or its successor organization, may nominate the names of up to three qualified individuals for consideration by the board in making appointments for each vacancy on the council.

(B) Members shall serve three-year terms of office in accordance with rules adopted by the board, with each term ending on the same day of the same month as did the term that it succeeds. A council member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member's term until a successor is appointed and takes office, or until a period of ninety days has elapsed, whichever occurs first. Each council member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed.

(C) With approval from the director of administrative services, members may receive an amount fixed under division (J) of section 124.15 of the Revised Code for each day the member is performing the member's official duties and be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing those duties.

(D) The council shall meet at least three times per year and at such other times as may be necessary to carry out its responsibilities.

(E) The council shall submit to the board recommendations concerning all of the following:

(1) Requirements for issuing a license to practice orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics, including the educational and experience requirements that must be met to receive a license;

(2) Existing and proposed rules pertaining to the practice of orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics and the administration and enforcement of this chapter;

(3) Standards for the approval of educational programs required to qualify for licensure and continuing education programs for licensure renewal;

(4) Procedures for the issuance and renewal of licenses;

(5) Fees for the issuance and renewal of a license to practice orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics;

(6) Standards of practice and ethical conduct in the practice of orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics;

(7) Complaints concerning alleged violation of Chapter 4779. of the Revised Code or grounds for the suspension, revocation, refusal to issue, or issuance of probationary licenses;

(8) The safe and effective practice of orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics;

(9) Requirements for issuing a license to practice orthotics, prosthetics, or orthotics and prosthetics to an applicant with unique and exceptional qualifications, including standards for satisfactory evidence for the applicant to be eligible for the license.

Last updated October 3, 2023 at 2:08 PM

Section 4779.40 | Authority to engage in 3-D printing of open-source prosthetic kits.

• Effective: October 17, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly

An individual who is not licensed to practice prosthetics or orthotics and prosthetics under section 4779.09 of the Revised Code may apply to the Ohio occupational therapy, physical therapy, and athletic trainers board for the authority to engage in the 3-D printing of open-source prosthetic kits. The board shall prescribe an application form for this purpose.

The board shall grant the authority described in this section if the individual meets the requirements specified in rules adopted under section 4779.08 of the Revised Code.

Section 4779.99 | Penalty.

• Effective: October 27, 2000
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 238 - 123rd General Assembly

Whoever violates section 4779.02, 4779.03, or 4779.04 of the Revised Code is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on the first offense; on each subsequent offense, the individual is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.