ELIGIBILITY ROUTES
A. Two-years of full time employment in Orthopaedics specific to Orthopaedic Technology and in accordance with the current Examination Breakdown (JTA), under the direct supervision of a Physician specializing in the musculoskeletal system.
B. Completion of an Orthopaedic Technologist (OT) Training Program that satisfies the requirements of the NBCOT Eligibility Route B Policy. In order to qualify under this eligibility route, a certification candidate must be able to show that he/she has graduated from:
1) A NAOT Recognized School/Program. The Recognized School/Program must be in compliance with all Eligibility Route B Policy requirements, and be recognized as a current NAOT Recognized School/Program in good standing. Applicants who have completed a NAOT Recognized School/Program must submit a copy of their Certificate of Graduation in order to show that the OT Program has satisfied all Eligibility Route B Policy requirements, and their physician verification form.
-OR -
2) A Non-NAOT Recognized School/Program. If an OT Program is not a NAOT Recognized School/Program in good standing, the candidate must submit documentary evidence showing that the OT Program has satisfied all of the requirements in the Eligibility Route B Policy. NBCOT reserves the right to accept, or decline to accept, such information or request additional information to ensure conformity with NBCOT Policy requirements. In its sole discretion, NBCOT will determine if an OT Training Program completed by the candidate qualifies for Eligibility Route B under this Policy.
In order to qualify for NBCOT Eligibility Route B (NON - NAOT APPROVED PROGRAM), a certification candidate must be able to show that the Orthopaedic Technologist (OT) Training Program satisfies the requirements of this Policy. In its sole discretion, NBCOT will determine if an OT Training Program completed by the candidate qualifies for Eligibility Route B under this Policy.
1.Program Curriculum: The OT Training Program curriculum must be consistent with the current NBCOT Orthopaedic Technologist Certified (OTC) Job Analysis, and all OTC Certification Examination domains.
2.Instruction Hours: The OT Training Program curriculum must consist of at least 450 hours of instruction, including both classroom lecture and practical laboratory instruction.
Military OT Programs: A qualified Military OT Training Program curriculum must consist of at least 450 hours of instruction, including both classroom lecture and practical laboratory instruction, and must include the following courses: a Field Medical Service Technician course; and, an Orthopedic Specialty course.
3.Clinical or Externship Component: The OT Training Program curriculum must include a clinical rotation and/or externship component of at least 200 practice training hours. Clinical rotations and/or externships must provide students with experience in all of the following settings:
a.Hospital (orthopaedic floor/department)
b.Operating room
c.Orthopaedic physician’s office
Military OT Programs: A qualified Military OT Training program curriculum must include a clinical rotation and/or externship component of at least three (3) months, including at least 200 practice training hours.
4.Instructor Qualifications: Each OT Training Program instructor must be licensed or certified to practice in the medical or health care field which is the subject of the OT Program course the instructor is teaching. Each course must be related to an OTC Certification Examination domain or OTC Job Analysis subject. The list of qualified instructor credentials related to each Examination domain is attached to this Policy, and incorporated by this reference.
5.Physician Advisor: The OT Training Program must retain at least one (1) licensed Physician Advisor, specializing in the musculoskeletal system, who can: confirm that the candidate has successfully completed the OT Program; and, attest to the eligibility of the candidate for NBCOT Certification. The Physician Advisor must provide a signed, notarized Physician Verification Form, confirming that the candidate has satisfied the NBCOT Certification Application requirements.
6.Certificate Requirement: The OT Training Program must issue and provide to all students a Certificate of Program Completion, or Certificate of Graduation (diploma), no later than ninety (90) days after the student has successfully completed all Program requirements. University transcripts will not be accepted to satisfy this requirement. No OTC Certification Application will be accepted by NBCOT until such certificate documents are issued by the OT Program, and reviewed by NBCOT.
Military OT Programs: Candidates who have completed a Military OT Training Program will be required to submit a Certificate of Course Completion and ERB issued by the U.S. military for active duty, or a certified copy of his/her U.S. Department of Defense DD Form 214 “Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty.” for discharged military personnel
7.Program Appeals Policy: The OT Training Program must maintain a fair and appropriate student appeals policy, which permits students to appeal an adverse Program decision or action to an impartial Program representative with authority to reverse or modify the decision.
8.Ethical Business Practices: The OT Training Program must operate in an ethical manner, consistent with lawful and otherwise appropriate business practices.
9.Non-NAOT Recognized School Programs: If an OT Program is not a NAOT Recognized School Program in good standing, the candidate must submit documentary evidence showing that the OT Program has satisfied all of the requirements in this Policy. NBCOT reserves the right to accept, or decline to accept, such information in its sole discretion, or request additional information to ensure conformity with NBCOT Policy requirements.
Applicants must submit a copy of their Certificate of Graduation. Externships must be completed before application will be accepted. Physician verification page is required.
US Military applicants must submit a US Military issued copy of certificate of completion or Enlisted Record Brief (ERB) OR a CERTIFIED PHOTOCOPY of your DD214 listing your Orthopaedic Training. Non-Certified Photocopies of the DD214 form ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. Physician verification page is required.
C. Certified/Licensed as an Athletic Trainer with a minimum of six months (1,040 hours) full time employment specific to Orthopaedic Technology and in accordance with the current Examination Breakdown (JTA)under the direct supervision of a Physician specializing in the musculoskeletal system.
You MUST include a copy of your current NATABOC Card and/or your Athletic Trainer Certificate/License.
