Change Lives with a Career in Orthotic and Prosthetic Services
Career opportunities with Cotton Orthotic and Prosthetic Associates are available. Please forward your resume to dtcotton@cottonop.com for more information and consideration for our prosthetic and orthotic services.
Educational Requirements
Bachelors Program
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year institution.
- Any degree
- Most graduate program prerequisites include Calculus based physics with lab, calculus I and II, anatomy/physiology with lab, psychology, and chemistry I with lab.
- Courses must be completed with 3.0 GPA or higher
- GRE test required
Master’s Program
Master’s Degree from an accredited National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) program (without a degree from an NCOPE accredited program, an individual may not sit for board exams).
- 2 years of classroom learning with embedded non-paid internships and co-ops
- 1 year of residency at NCOPE residency location in orthotics practicing under American Board Certified orthotist/prosthetist (C.P.O.)
- 1 year of residency at NCOPE residency location in prosthetics practicing under ABC C.P.O.
- Completion of 3 part certification exam within 3 years of residency program
4 attempts to pass each part within 3 years
Part I:
Written Multiple Choice Examination: A computer based, three hour, multiple choice examination that assesses the candidate’s knowledge of patient and practice management. Knowledge assessed on the written examinations includes anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, disease process, pathologies, material science, ethics and professionalism.
Part II:
Written Simulation Examination: A computer based, three hour interactive exam that uses six simulated case scenarios to test the candidate’s analytic and clinical problem solving skills. The cases will include topics such as prescription criteria, device recommendation, technical implementation and follow-up protocols.
Part III:
Clinical Patient Management Practical Examination: a hands-on practical examination of knowledge and skills assessed through direct examiner and patient model interaction in a clinical environment. The candidate must perform specific tasks while demonstrating and describing the orthotic or prosthetic recommendation, fitting criteria, patient instructions, and follow-up plans involved in the provision of care.