Orthotic Fitters Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the pre-requisites for Orthotic Fitters Courses? Do you require a high school diploma, a GED, college credits or work experience?
- What kind of background screening is required for an Orthotic Fitter or a Fitter's Assistant?
- Why do I have to take the Diabetic Foot for the Florida Licensure?
- May I have the Orthotic Fitters with Diabetic Foot course if I'm licensed in another state?
- Will the Orthotic Fitter’s course apply for CE in Florida?
- Will the Orthotic Fitters course apply for Licensure in another state?
- Who provides the CE for this course?
- Does the 5 day course with Diabetic Foot provide a Florida License for Orthotic Fitter?
- Do I serve an apprenticeship for Orthotic Fitter?
- Does the 5 day course with Diabetic Foot provide a Florida License for Orthotic Fitters Assistant?
- Do I serve an apprenticeship for Orthotic Fitters Assistant?
- What do I get to prove I took the course?
- Where do I find a job after I complete this course?
- How do I get a license for Orthotic Fitter?
- How do I get a license for Orthotic Fitter’s Assistant?
- What is the fee for the license?
- I have worked as a fitter for 5 years under at doctor; do I need to take the course?
- Can I use the 5 day course for continuing education for O&P or PT?
- Does this 5 day course apply for a license in another state?
- Does the VA cover the course?
- If I take the 5 day Orthotic Fitters Course, does that make me an Orthotic Fitter or Orthotic Fitter’s Assistant?
- Must I work under an Orthotic Fitter’s License for two years to move from Orthotic Fitters Assistant to Orthotic Fitter?
- If I want to earn a Bachelor’s degree, graduate degree or associates’, do you offer it through SPC?
- What site may I find the approved application form for Orthotic Fitter's Assistant?
- When I apply to the Florida Board for Licensure, the application asks for a copy of certificate for all hours and courses certificates. These items need to be received by the board office for the application to be processed. It states that all certificates and transcripts need to come directly from the facility or school attended for the courses. How do I get the college (SPC) to send my materials to the Florida Board?
- What are the pre-requisites for Orthotic Fitters Courses? Do you require a high school diploma, a GED, college credits or work experience?
The State of Florida requires a High School Diploma or a GED to become a licensed Fitter's Assistant.
- What kind of background screening is required for an Orthotic Fitter or a Fitter's Assistant?
According to the Agency for Healthcare Administration information on background screening at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/background.html certain health care practitioners are subject to criminal background screening at initial licensure. Currently, there are three different groups of criminal background screening: statewide, national and level II. For Regulated Provider Type/Licensee Initial Licensure -- Orthotists, Prosthetists, Pedorthists, Orthotic Fitters, Orthotic Fitter Assistants, and O&P Residents, background checks are according to 468.803(2)(a) with a Current Level of Screening of Statewide/National. This includes
Statewide and National criminal background screenings require fingerprinting and are performed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. The results are reviewed by the applicant's respective health care board and used to decide whether to grant a license. For more details go to http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/background.html.
- Why do I have to take the Diabetic Foot for the Florida Licensure?
It is a requirement of the Florida Board of Orthotist and Prosthetist.
- May I have the Orthotic Fitters with Diabetic Foot course if I'm licensed in another state?
Yes.
- Will the Orthotic Fitters course apply for CE in Florida?
Yes.
- Will the Orthotic Fitters course apply for Licensure in another state?
Yes.
- Who provides the CE for this course?
It is approved by ABC and BOC and therefore by the Florida Board of O&P. You will get a certificate from St. Petersburg College (SPC).
- Does the 5-day course with Diabetic Foot provide a Florida License for Orthotic Fitter?
No, you are an Orthotic Fitter's Assistant.
- Do I serve an apprenticeship for Orthotic Fitter?
You must verify this with your State Department of Health.
- Does the 5-day course with Diabetic Foot provide a Florida License for Orthotic Fitter's Assistant?
Yes.
- Do I serve an apprenticeship for Orthotic Fitter's Assistant?
Yes, under a licensed fitter or licensed practitioner.
- What do I get to prove I took the course?
You will receive a St. Petersburg College certificate of completion.
- Where do I find a job after I complete this course?
A DME/HME or at an O&P facility.
- How do I get a license for Orthotic Fitter?
In Florida, you will receive your license after two years of working under a licensed fitter or practitioner.
- How do I get a license for Orthotic Fitter’s Assistant?
The Orthotic Fitters Course.
- What is the fee for the license?
Check with the State Department of Health, this is subject to change.
- I have worked as a fitter for 5 years under a doctor, do I need to take the course?
If you work under a doctor and are going to remain employed by that doctor, you are exempt but should still take the course.
- Can I use the 5-day course for continuing education for O&P or PT?
Yes.
- Does this 5-day course apply for a license in another state?
Yes.
- Does the VA cover the course?
You may apply for VA benefits through SPC by calling (727) 341-4271.
- If I take the 5-day Orthotic Fitters Course, does that make me an Orthotic Fitter or Orthotic Fitter’s Assistant?
Check with ABC, BOC, or your state board to identify the licensure requirements in your state.
- Must I work under an Orthotic Fitter’s License for two years to move from Orthotic Fitter's Assistant to Orthotic Fitter?
Yes.
- If I want to earn a Bachelor’s degree, Graduate degree or Associate's, do you offer any of these through SPC?
Yes. Please visit SPC – Bachelor of Applied Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics for this information or contact Jacob Wortock, Baccalaureate Recruiter, by email Wortock.Jacob@spcollege.edu or by phone at (727) 341-3409.
- What site may I find the approved application form for Orthotic Fitter's Assistant?
For the Florida Orthotics Fitters Assistant Application, you may find it on www.MyFlorida.com.
The specific web address is http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/OrthPros/por_lic_req.html.
Contact Information:
Health Professional Licensure Information
4042 Bald Cypress Way
Tallahassee, FL
Phone: 850-488-0595
Fax: 850-487-9626
Mailing Address for Application:
4051 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C01
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3251
- When I apply to the Florida Board for Licensure, the application asks for a copy of the certificate of attendance for all hours completed. These items need to be received by the board office in order for the application to be processed. It states that all certificates and transcripts need to come directly from the facility or school attended for the course(s). How do I get the college (SPC) to send my materials to the Florida Board?
When each student completes their Orthotic Fitters Course, all of their course tests are graded and if the student passed, they will receive a certificate of attendance. SPC will then send their information to the Florida Board of Orthotists & Prosthetists. The information sent includes the date of the course, the course taken and the name of the student completing the course. SPC sends the information in the standard format requested by the Florida Board. June class information is sent that summer and October class information is sent that fall.
As a result, the student should note on the application that the information is being sent by SPC immediately following the course attended.
For example: If you took the Orthotic Fitters Course in June 2008, individual student course attendance information was sent to the board after that course concluded and once all student paperwork was received. So, you would note on your application that the information was sent and received in “Summer 2008."
If however, a student personally talked to or corresponded with the board and the board indicates that there is no record of them having received your information, then please e-mail your name and information request to my attention at: Robinson.LaNona@spcollege.edu. You must include:
1. Complete name of the course taken. For Example: Orthotic Fitters with Diabetic Foot 40 hour or Diabetic Foot 8 hour
2. Student name under which the class was taken
3. Student name under which you are applying to the board for licensure
4. Date of the class [month, day and year]
5. Daytime phone number and e-mail by which you may be reached
St. Petersburg College will research your attendance and will follow up with you to advise of your individual situation.
Due to educational privacy regulations, all requests must be made directly by the student attending the course and cannot be made by employers, family members or others.
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