Qualifications For Licensure

(1) Orthotist – To qualify for a license to practice orthotics, a person shall: (a) Complete an orthotics education program which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or its successor organization; and (b) Possess a baccalaureate degree (or have successfully completed the number of semester hours which is equivalent to four [4] years of study at a four-year college or university). The curriculum of the program of study completed by such person must include mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, anatomy, biomechanics, pathology and psychology courses; and (c) Successfully complete a clinical residency in orthotics. The majority of training must be devoted to services performed under the supervision of an orthotist licensed in Tennessee or a person in another state who has obtained certification from the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc. or the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification; and (d) Successfully complete all examinations required by Rule 1155-04-.08. (2) Prosthetist – To qualify for a license to practice prosthetics, a person shall: (a) Complete a prosthetic education program which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs or its successor organization; and (b) Possess a baccalaureate degree (or have successfully completed the number of semester hours which is equivalent to four (4) years of study at a four-year college or GENERAL RULES GOVERNING ORTHOTISTS, PROSTHETISTS, CHAPTER 1155-04 AND PEDORTHISTS university). The curriculum of the program of study completed by such person must include math, physics, biology, chemistry, anatomy, biomechanics, pathology and psychology courses; and (c) Successfully complete a clinical residency in prosthetics. The majority of training must be devoted to services performed under the supervision of a prosthetist licensed in Tennessee or a person in another state who has obtained certification from the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc. or the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification; and (d) Successfully complete all examinations required by Rule 1155-04-.08. (3) Pedorthist – To qualify for a license to practice pedorthics, a person shall: (a) Possess a high school diploma or comparable credential approved by the Board; and (b) Successfully complete a pedorthics education program accredited by the Board for Certification in Pedorthics, or a pedorthics education program approved by the Board, which includes: 1. A basic curriculum of instruction in foot-related pathology of diseases, anatomy, and biomechanics; 2. A specific curriculum in pedorthics courses, including but not limited to lectures covering shoes, foot orthoses, and shoe modifications, pedorthics components and materials, training and functional capabilities, pedorthics performance evaluation, prescription considerations, etiology of disease processes necessitating use of pedorthics devices, medical management, and subject matter related to pediatric and geriatric problems; and 3. Lectures, demonstrations, and laboratory experiences related to the entire process of measuring and casting, fitting, fabricating, aligning, and completing pedorthic devices; and (c) Successfully complete a qualified work experience program or internship in pedorthics in accordance with the following standards and procedures: 1. The program or internship shall be no less than sixty (60) hours of work experience. 2. The program or internship shall be under the direct supervision of a currently licensed pedorthist, orthotist, or podiatrist. 3. Direct supervision, as used in this subparagraph, shall mean the requirement of the supervisor to direct, coordinate, review, inspect, and approve each act or service performed, and although the continuous and actual physical presence of the supervisor in the same room and at the same time as the intern is not mandatory, the continuous and actual presence of the supervisor within the physical confines of the practice location is required. 4. The program or internship shall include training in evaluating, measuring, designing, fabricating, assembling, fitting, adjusting, or servicing pedorthic devices; and (d) Successfully complete all examinations required by Rule 1155-04-.08. GENERAL RULES GOVERNING ORTHOTISTS, PROSTHETISTS, CHAPTER 1155-04 AND PEDORTHISTS