To qualify for a license to practice orthotics or prosthetics in Illinois, applicants must:

  • possess a baccalaureate degree;
  • complete a clinical residency; and,
  • pass all written, practical, and oral exams.

Licenses must be renewed every two years and requires 24 hours of continuing education.

Additional licensing information can be obtained from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation:

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
320 West Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Springfield, IL 62786
Phone: 217.785.0800, Fax: 217.782.7645

Most employers require certification. The certification available from the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics requires applicants to:

  • complete an accredited program;
  • complete a residency; and
  • pass an exam.

For more information about certification, contact the following organizations:

American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP)
7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 760, Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 202.380.3663, Fax: 202.380.3447
E-mail: info@oandp.org
American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABCOP)
330 John Carlyle Street, Suite 210, Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703.836.7114, Fax: 703.836.0838
E-mail: info@abcop.org
National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE)
330 John Carlyle Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703.836.7114, Fax: 703.836.0838
E-mail: info@ncope.org