§ 59-3006. Qualifications for licensure and registration - Alternative requirements – Temporary licensure without examination.

A.  The State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, with the assistance of the Advisory Committee on Orthotics and Prosthetics, shall establish qualifications for licensure and registration under the Orthotics and Prosthetics Practice Act.  Until November 1, 2004, the Board shall provide, as set forth herein, an alternative qualification licensure opportunity for current practitioners in this state who are unable to meet standard qualifications.  Persons meeting the qualifications of more than one discipline may be licensed in more than one discipline.

B.  To be licensed to practice orthotics or prosthetics according to standard qualifications, a person shall:

1.  Demonstrate certification by the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC), or the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC); or

2.   a.   Possess a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a general accrediting agency recognized by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education;

b.Have completed an orthotic or prosthetic education program that meets or exceeds the requirements, including clinical practice, of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs;

c.Have completed a clinical residency in the professional area for which the license is sought that meets or exceeds the standards, guidelines, and procedures for residencies of the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education or of any other such group that is recognized by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision; and

d.Demonstrate attainment of internationally accepted standards of orthotic and prosthetic care as outlined by the International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics professional profile for Category I orthotic and prosthetic personnel.

C.  To be licensed to practice orthotics or prosthetics under alternative qualification requirements, a person shall:

1.  Pass an examination in the area of licensure, which may be an available examination designated by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision or an examination developed by the Board; and

2.  Execute an alternative qualification contract with the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision the conditions of which shall be based on the Board's evaluation of the applicant's experience and the Board's determination of further experience needed or other requirements to be met, which contract shall specify a period of time not to exceed ten (10) years for completion of the further experience or requirements.

D.  Upon execution of the alternative qualification contract, the Board shall issue a license and shall renew the license subject to the licensee's making satisfactory progress as required by the contract.  Persons who satisfactorily complete the alternative qualification contract shall be thereafter considered as having met the qualifications necessary for license renewal.

E.  No person shall be permitted to enter into an alternative qualification contract after October 31, 2004.  A person who has not done so by October 31, 2004, shall not be issued a license to practice orthotics or prosthetics without meeting standard qualifications.

F.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a person who has practiced full time during the three-year period preceding the effective date of this act in a prosthetic or orthotic facility as a prosthetist or orthotist and has a high school diploma or equivalent, or who has practiced as an assistant or technician, may file an application with the Board within ninety (90) days from the effective date of this act for permission to continue to practice at his or her identified level of practice.  The Board, after verifying the applicant's work history and receiving payment of the application fee as established pursuant to this act, shall, without examination of the applicant, issue the applicant a license or certificate of registration.  To make the investigations necessary to verify the applicant’s work history, the Board may require that the applicant complete a questionnaire regarding the work history and scope of practice.  The Board shall take no more than six (6) months to verify the work history.  Applicants applying after the ninety-day application period of this subsection has expired shall meet the qualifications elsewhere set forth for standard or alternative qualification for licensure or for registration as determined by the Board.

G.  The Board may authorize the Board Secretary to issue a temporary license for up to two (2) years to individuals who have graduated from a program and completed their residency as outlined in subsection B of this section, but not yet passed the licensure exam.  A temporary license authorizing practice under supervision shall be granted only when the Board Secretary is satisfied as to the qualifications of the applicant to be licensed under the Orthotics and Prosthetics Practice Act except for examination.  A temporary license shall be granted only to an applicant demonstrably qualified for a full and unrestricted license under the requirements set by the Orthotics and Prosthetics Practice Act and the rules of the Board.

Added by Laws 2001, c. 158, § 6, eff. Nov. 1, 2001.  Amended by Laws 2009, c. 261, § 9, eff. July 1, 2009.