Texas Board of Orthotics and Prosthetics

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Welcome!

Welcome to the home page of Texas Board of Orthotics and Prosthetics. The website will inform you about obtaining and renewing a license to practice as a prosthetist and/or orthotist, a prosthetist and/or orthotist assistant, a prosthetic and/or orthotic technician, or a prosthetic and/or orthotic student in Texas, and obtaining and renewing accreditation for a prosthetic and/or orthotic facility.

• Review, update, and adopt rules for the regulation of prosthetic and orthotic professionals and facilities in Texas.
• Review (and approve or deny) applications for licensure, registration, and facility accreditation.
• Receive and process complaints lodged against prosthetic and orthotic professionals, assistants, technicians, and facilities, and those alleged to be practicing without a license.
• Produce and distribute informative publications for consumers and the public.

Agendas for Board Meeting October Friday October 17, 2008
Select the links below to view or print agendas

• Agenda for Board Meeting October 17, 2008 (Word format, 34 KB)
• Agenda for Board Meeting October 17, 2008 (Adobe Acrobat format, 28 KB)

• Agenda for Enforcement Committee Meeting October 17, 2008 (Word format, 31 KB)
• Agenda for Enforcement Committee Meeting October 17, 2008 (Adobe Acrobat format, 25 KB)

• Agenda for Licensing and Accreditation Committee Meeting October 17, 2008 (Word format, 37 KB)
• Agenda for Licensing and Accreditation Committee Meeting October 17, 2008 (Adobe Acrobat format, 29 KB)

Board Statement Regarding Diabetic, Orthotic, and Certified Shoes Fitters

In recent weeks, the Texas Board of Orthotics and Prosthetics has fielded many questions regarding Diabetic, Orthotic, and Certified Shoe Fitting. As a result, we have prepared this statement to address this emerging field and the practitioners within it.

The Texas Orthotics and Prosthetics Act (Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 605) includes in its definition of the practice of orthotics, the fitting of a custom-fitted or custom-fabricated device.

These definitions are outlined in Sections 605.002 (3), (4), (12), and (14).

Any individual who custom fits a diabetic or other shoe through means of moldable inserts or other methods, regardless of where the final shoe is manufactured, is practicing orthotics and must be licensed under the Texas Orthotics and Prosthetics Act, unless exempt (see below).

Professional certifications from private educational companies do not constitute Texas licensure. Any unlicensed individual who is discovered to be practicing orthotics in this manner will be subject to enforcement action which may include administrative, civil, and criminal penalties.

The Act does recognize several professions that are exempt from these provisions. Exempt professions are limited to licensed podiatrists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and pharmacists. Certified pedorthists are also exempt from licensure under the Texas Orthotics and Prosthetics Act.

Furthermore, the sale of retail shoes, over-the-counter or out of the box, is not subject to the Texas Orthotics and Prosthetics Act.

Any questions or concerns regarding this matter may be referred to the Board through the contact information provided below.

Texas Board of Orthotics & Prosthetics
Mail Code 1982
P.O. Box 149347
Austin, Texas 78714-9347
E-mail: op@dshs.state.tx.us
Telephone: (512) 834-4520
Fax: (512) 834-6677 ATTN: Texas Board of Orthotics & Prosthetics

Last Updated October 10, 2008