Education and Training Requirements to Become a Pedorthist

As a child of two medical professionals, Robert felt the heavy weight of family expectations as he grew up. His dad, a dentist, and his mother, a nurse anesthetist, expected him to pick some type of medical career. By his second year in college, he was stewing over the length and cost of medical school but knew he wanted a health-related career. When his father kept an appointment to be fitted for orthotics for a pair of dress shoes, Robert went with him, was impressed by the fitter's knowledge and asked him about the education and training required to become a pedorthist.

What is a Pedorthist?

Most people have never heard of this occupation. According to the Pedorthic Footwear Association, a pedorthist is a professional has completed very specific education and training in the design, modification, manufacture and fit of footwear, shoes and orthoses-commonly called orthotics. The goal of the discipline is to relieve issues that are the result of overuse, inherited disorders, disease or injury involving the lower extremities.

A pedorthist receives specialized training in order to manage comprehensive patient care. He or she assesses patients, creates treatment plans, treats patients and is also likely to be involved in practice management. This professional has an understanding of the properties of many types of footwear. Pedorthists must be skilled at evaluating feet and fitting the appropriate footwear or inserts to give the patient the best mobility possible while following a doctor's prescription.

Most pedorthists work in private practice, typically in a medical office setting or as an employee of a retailer. Some specialize within the profession, such as those who are expects at treating patients with diabetes.

Education and Training

A pedorthist needs to acquire knowledge of human anatomy, biomechanics, pathology, locomotion, kinesiology, gait analysis and related disciplines in order to be able to properly treat patients. Most individuals in this profession strive to become a Certified Pedorthist (C.Ped.). In order to do so, they must pass a test administered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC).

To sit for this three-hour exam, an individual must have a high school diploma, GED or college degree and have completed three levels of a program proved by the National Commission of Orthotic & Prosthetic Education (NCOPE). The aspiring pedorthist must have also put in at least 1,000 hours of practical experience.

The pedorthic courses approved by NCOPE include:

Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University in North Chicago, Illinois

Eneslow Pedorthic Institute's Pedorthic Pre-Certification Course in New York City.

Foot Solutions Pedorthic Pre-Certification Course in Marietta, Georgia. Call 866-338-2597.

International School of Pedorthics in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center in Chicago.

Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

Pro-Learn, L.L.C. in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia.

The Robert M. Palmer, MD Institute of Biomechanics Inc. in Elwood, Indiana.

Many of the courses of study combine online education with in-person training.

Licensing and Maintaining Certification

Only a few states require a pedorthist to be licensed or to have a C.Ped. certification in order to practice. In those states, the ABC offers licensure exams.

Pedorthists with the C.Ped. designation can maintain this certification by taking part in the ABC mandatory continuing education program and updating their records annually. The C.Ped. designation is renewed every five years, once the individual has completed 55 continuing education credits within that period.

This a rewarding occupation for an individual with an interest in a health-related career, who enjoys working directly with patients and who is willing and able to complete the very specialized education and training required to become a pedorthist.

Sources:

http://www.pedorthics.org/Portals/0/PFA_ABC_PedBro.pdf

http://www.abcop.org/certification/Pedorthists/Pages/Default.aspx

http://www.ncope.org/pedorthic_education/