The definitions in RCW 18.200.010 and this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) "Maintenance of an orthosis or prosthesis" includes replacement or repair of component parts that is equivalent to the original component and is required due to wear or failure. Maintenance of an orthosis or prosthesis does not include altering the original components or complete replacement of the orthosis or prosthesis.

(2) "NCOPE" means the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education.

(3) "CAAHEP" means the Commission for Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

To qualify for licensure as either an orthotist or prosthetist, a candidate shall:

(1) Possess a bachelor degree in orthotics or prosthetics from an approved orthotic or prosthetic educational program consistent with WAC 246-850-110; alternatively, a candidate may complete a certificate program in orthotics or prosthetics from an approved education program as provided in WAC 246-850-110;

(2) Complete a clinical internship or residency as required in WAC 246-850-050; and

(3) Successfully complete examinations as required in WAC 246-850-060.

An applicant for licensure shall submit to the department the following:

(1) A completed application and fee as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2;

(2) Official transcripts, certificate, or other documentation forwarded directly from the issuing agency where the applicant has earned a bachelor degree or completed a certificate program from a program accredited by NCOPE or CAAHEP, or any other accrediting body with substantially equivalent requirements;

(3) Documentation of completion of an approved internship or residency as described in WAC 246-850-050;

(4) Documentation of successful completion of licensing examinations as described in WAC 246-850-060;

(5) Verification from all states in which the applicant holds or has held a license, whether active or inactive, indicating that the applicant is or has not been subject to charges or disciplinary action for unprofessional conduct or impairment; and

(6) Additional documentation as required by the secretary to determine whether an applicant is eligible for licensure.

(1) An applicant shall submit evidence of successful completion of a clinical internship or residency approved by NCOPE or CAAHEP.

(2) The clinical internship or residency in either orthotics or prosthetics must be at least one year in duration.

(3) The combined clinical internship or residency in both orthotics and prosthetics must be at least eighteen months in duration.

(1) An applicant for licensure as an orthotist shall successfully complete the following examinations:

(a) The Washington state jurisprudence examination; and

(b) As prepared and administered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics:

(i) The orthotic written multiple choice examination;

(ii) The orthotic written simulation examination; and

(c) If the applicant completes the education requirements for licensure on or after January 1, 2020, the orthotic clinical patient management exam.

(2) An applicant for licensure as a prosthetist shall successfully complete the following examinations:

(a) The Washington state jurisprudence examination; and

(b) As prepared and administered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics:

(i) The prosthetic written multiple choice examination;

(ii) The prosthetic written simulation examination; and

(iii) If the applicant completes the education requirements for licensure on or after January 1, 2020, the prosthetic clinical patient management exam.

(3) An applicant who has successfully completed examinations administered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics prior to July 1, 1991, may be considered by the secretary in order to determine if the applicant meets alternative standards that are substantially equivalent.

A practitioner may obtain an inactive credential. Refer to the requirements of chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 4.

A practitioner may obtain a retired active credential. Refer to the requirements of chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 5.

The secretary recognizes as approved those orthotic and prosthetic programs approved by NCOPE, CAAHEP or any other accrediting body with substantially equivalent requirements.

Approval of an educational program may be withdrawn by the secretary, as provided in chapter 34.05 RCW and chapter 246-10 WAC, if the program:

(1) Ceases to be approved by NCOPE or CAAHEP; or

(2) Fails to maintain the accreditation standards of NCOPE or CAAHEP.

(1) The continuing competency reporting cycle begins with the first full three-year period after initial licensure. All orthotists and prosthetists shall attest to completion of continuing competency activities every year at renewal and shall comply with WAC 246-12-170 through 246-12-240.

(2) All licensed orthotists and prosthetists shall complete continuing competency hours as follows:

(a) Licensed orthotists shall complete a minimum of 45 continuing competency hours every three years in the area of orthotics.

(b) Licensed prosthetists shall complete a minimum of 45 continuing competency hours every three years in the area of prosthetics.

(c) Individuals who are licensed as both an orthotist and as a prosthetist shall complete a minimum of 60 continuing competency hours every three years.

(3) For individuals licensed in one discipline, a maximum of eighteen Category 2 continuing competency hours may be earned in any three-year reporting period.

(4) For individuals licensed in both disciplines, a maximum of 24 Category 2 continuing competency hours may be earned in any three-year reporting period.

(5) Licensees may alternatively meet the continuing competency requirement if they hold a current certification from the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics. The required documentation is proof of certification during the three-year cycle.

(6) Orthotists and prosthetists must complete a minimum of two hours in health equity continuing education training every four years by complying with WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830.

(a) Individuals licensed as both an orthotist and prosthetist only need to meet the requirements once every four years.

(b) This training must be completed by the end of the second full continuing education reporting period after January 1, 2024, or the second full continuing education reporting period after initial licensure, whichever is later.

(c) The hours spent completing health equity continuing education under this section count toward meeting applicable continuing education requirements in this section.

Continuing competency activities are distinguished between activities which are sponsored by those organizations listed in subsection (1) of this section and those which are generally either independent or unsupervised, or both and are listed in subsection (2) of this section.

(1) Category 1. Courses offered or approved by the following organizations qualify as Category 1 continuing competency activities. Category 1 activities receive one continuing competency credit hour for every fifty minutes spent in a course or other activity. Licensees shall maintain documentation of attendance at courses. Acceptable documentation includes certificates or receipts with an authorized signature, stamp or seal.

(a) American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics.

(b) Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification.

(c) American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists.

(d) American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association.

(e) International Association of Orthotics and Prosthetics.

(f) International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics.

(g) Association of American Children's Orthotics and Prosthetics Clinics.

(h) Canadian Orthotic and Prosthetic Association.

(i) Any school or college of orthotics or prosthetics approved by the secretary under RCW 18.200.050(5).

(j) Relevant school or college courses from an institution accredited by a recognized regional accrediting body.

(k) Relevant courses or seminars offered by organizations or associations such as the American Society of Orthopedic Surgeons, the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Medical Association, the American Occupational Therapy Association, the American Physical Therapy Association, the American Osteopathic Association, and the American Podiatric Medical Association.

(l) Manufacturer courses approved/sponsored by organizations listed in subsection (1)(a) through (k) of this section.

(2) Category 2. Category 2 continuing competency activities are primarily either independent or unsupervised, or both. Licensees shall maintain documentation of completion of Category 2 activities. The following activities, and designated continuing competency credit hours, are considered Category 2 continuing competency:

(a) Relevant allied health seminars not identified as Category 1 activities. A credit hour is fifty minutes spent in a course or other activity. A maximum of five continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation includes certificates or receipts with an authorized signature, stamp or seal.

(b) Practice management. For the purpose of this section, practice management includes only those activities which are directly related to patient care. A credit hour is fifty minutes spent in this activity. A maximum of three continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation includes verification of completion of a course or seminar, or a written certification by the licensee describing the activity, the total time required to complete the activity and the date completed.

(c) Journal reading, including electronic publications that are consistent with the goals specified in the individual licensee's professional enhancement plan.

(i) Scientific journals with required examination. Each examination qualifies for two continuing competency credit hours. A maximum of six continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation is a certificate issued by the sponsoring organization or author showing successful completion of the examination.

(ii) Scientific journals not requiring an examination. Each report qualifies for one continuing competency credit hour. A maximum of three continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation for each article is a written report identifying the publication source, author, publication date, and a summary of at least five points from the article.

(iii) Business journals. Each report qualifies for one continuing competency credit hour. A maximum of three continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation for each article, is a written report identifying the publication source, author, publication date, and a summary of at least five points from the article.

(d) Instruction video, videodisc or internet courses. A credit hour is fifty minutes spent in this activity. A maximum of three continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation is a written report identifying the source of the instruction, the release date, and summarizing at least five points presented in the instruction.

(e) Manufacturer courses sponsored by organizations not identified as Category 1 activities. A credit hour is fifty minutes spent in this activity. A maximum of three continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation includes certificates or receipts with an authorized signature, stamp or seal.

(f) Participating in peer review. For the purpose of this section, peer review means either serving on a formal peer review panel, committee or individual review of a sole provider, where the purpose of the review is to determine whether appropriate treatment was rendered, or whether the services rendered were within accepted standards. Each occurrence qualifies for three credit hours. A maximum of nine continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation is a certification signed by the facilitator of the peer review providing the date and the total time spent in the peer review process.

(g) Student or peer mentoring.

(i) Student mentoring. Each four-hour period spent in this activity qualifies for one credit hour. A maximum of three continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation is a copy of the mentoring contract or agreement and a certification from the student substantiating the date(s) engaged in mentoring and the total mentoring time.

(ii) Peer mentoring. Each four-hour period spent in this activity qualifies for one credit hour. A maximum of three continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation is a certification summarizing the subject of the mentoring, the date, and total mentoring time and signed by the licensee and at least one other practitioner participating in the mentoring activity.

(h) Documented group study. A credit hour is fifty minutes spent in this activity. A maximum of six continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation is a summary of the group study topics, the date, and total group study time, signed by the facilitator or other authorized personnel.

(i) Grand rounds. Each report qualifies for one credit hour. A maximum of three continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Acceptable documentation is a report summarizing the cases presented, the location, date, and total time spent in the grand rounds activity and signed by the facilitator or other authorized personnel.

(j) Presentation or lecture to professional group. Each presentation or lecture qualifies for two credit hours. A maximum of six continuing competency credit hours may be earned in this activity in any three-year reporting period. Credit for subsequent presentations will only be considered if the licensee can demonstrate that substantial additional preparation was required. Acceptable documentation is a course outline and a certification from the licensee providing the location, date and total presentation time.

(k) Other activities that enhance or expand the practice may be submitted to the secretary for consideration.

Licensed orthotists and prosthetists shall comply with continuing competency auditing and documentation requirements as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 7 and WAC 246-850-150. The secretary may require additional information as needed to complete the audit.

(1) Licenses must be renewed every year on the practitioner's birthday as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2.

(2) The following nonrefundable fees will be charged: