Section 1325.15  Application for Licensure as an Orthotist

a)         Any person seeking licensure as an orthotist shall file an application with the Department on forms provided by the Department.  The application shall include the following:

1)         Either:

A)        Proof of a baccalaureate degree in an orthotics and prosthetics program approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or its predecessor or successor agency; or

B)        Proof of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited school, college or university and a certificate from a CAAHEP accredited orthotics program;

2)         Proof of a clinical residency as set forth in Section 1325.30;

3)         Verification of successful completion of the orthotics examination set forth in Section 1325.10 received directly from the designated testing service;

4)         A complete work history, on forms provided by the Department, since completion of a baccalaureate program; and

5)         The required fee specified in Section 1325.50 of this Part.

b)         Any person seeking licensure as an orthotist pursuant to Section 55 (Transition Period) of the Act shall file an application with the Department postmarked no later than January 1, 2002, on forms provided by the Department.  The application shall include the following:

1)         Either:

A)        Proof of current certification as a Certified Orthotist (CO) or Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist (CPO) from ABC; or

B)        Proof of full-time practice for 7 years prior to January 1, 2000 in orthotics as defined in Section 10 of the Act.  The 7 years of practice has to be between January 1, 1993 and January 1, 2000. The application shall include:

i)          Three affidavits from physicians licensed under the Medical Practice Act and/or podiatrists licensed under the Illinois Podiatric Medical Practice Act who have referred clients to the applicant; and

ii)         Verification of orthotic experience.  Experience shall be full-time in an orthotic/prosthetic facility.  Full-time is defined as 30 hours per week. (Part-time experience shall be accepted if done in combination with acceptable prosthetic and pedorthic experience.);

2)         A complete work history on forms provided by the Department;

3)         The fee required in Section 1325.50 of this Part; and

4)         Certification, on forms provided by the Department, from the state or territory of the United States in which the applicant was originally licensed and the state in which the applicant is currently licensed, if applicable, stating:

A)        The time during which the applicant was licensed in that jurisdiction, including the date of the original issuance of the license; and

B)        Whether the file on the applicant contains any record of disciplinary actions taken or pending.

c)         An individual who meets the requirements of the Act and this Part and obtains a license in Illinois is considered to have met the internationally accepted standards of orthotics and prosthetics as set forth by the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics.

d)         When the accuracy of any submitted documentation or the relevance or sufficiency of the course work or experience is questioned by the Department or the Board because of lack of information, discrepancies or conflicts in information given, or a need for clarification, the applicant seeking licensure shall be requested to:

1)         Provide such information as may be necessary; and/or

2)         Appear for an interview before the Board to explain such relevance or sufficiency, clarify information or clear up any discrepancies or conflicts in information.