CBCPO Registration is to promote the development of technical competence and to provide recognition within the profession of those individuals who demonstrate technical competence in prosthetics and/or orthotics.

History

The Canadian Association for Prosthetics and Orthotics started the Technician Registration Program in 1979. In 1997 a decision was made by the Canadian Association for Prosthetics and Orthotics to relinquish the responsibility of granting Registered Technician Status to the Canadian Board for Certification of Prosthetists and Orthotists (C.B.C.P.O.). Given that C.B.C.P.O is responsible for all matters pertaining to the setting of standards and credentials for the prosthetic and orthotic profession, it was appropriate to include the technicians in this group. In 1999, the Canadian Board for Certification of Prosthetists and Orthotists membership accepted the proposal and C.B.C.P.O. conducted the first Registered Technical examinations in the fall of 2000.

CBCPO Registration is to promote the development of technical competence and to provide recognition within the profession of those individuals who demonstrate technical competence in prosthetics and/or orthotics.

Technical Registration Process

Eligibility Requirements

For a person to be awarded the registered technician certificate by the Canadian Board for Certification of Prosthetists and Orthotists, (CBCPO) the following requirements and procedures must first be met:

  • The applicant must be fluent in French or English
  • The applicant must be a Canadian citizen or a legal landed immigrant
  • All applicants must possess a high school diploma or the General Educational Development (GED) equivalent.
  • The applicant must apply and be accepted to sit the technician registration exams by the education chair and the TRC.
  • All applicants are expected to have conducted themselves in accordance with the Canons of Ethical Conduct as set forth by the committee on ethics.
  • All applicants must be recommended and approved by the board of directors in order to receive the registered technician certificate in the appropriate discipline in which the applicant passes the exam.

Criteria Necessary to Sit for the Technician Registration Exam

There are two methods which can lead to the registered recognition in orthotics and/or prosthetics. These are:

Method I: Two-Discipline Training (Formal)

  • Participation and successful completion of a prosthetic and orthotic school program covering both disciplines approved by the board of directors.
  • Received and read self-learn material.
  • To sit for the examination in the first discipline, 88 weeks of work under the supervision of a CBCPO certified person in the appropriate discipline is required.
  • To sit for examination in the second discipline, after obtaining registered recognition in the first discipline under Method II, a further 52 weeks of work under the full-time supervision of a CBCPO certified person in the appropriate discipline is required.

Method II: Single Discipline Training

  • Worked for 192 weeks in either prosthetics or orthotics (one discipline only) under supervision of a CBCPO certified prosthetist/orthotist in the appropriate discipline.
  • Received and read self-learn material.
  • To sit for examination in the second discipline a further 96 weeks work is required under supervision of a CBCPO certified prosthetist/orthotist in the appropriate discipline.

Examination Guidelines

Application for the Technician Examinations

Applicants may apply to sit for the technician examination after they have completed the stipulated education and/or experience requirements as outlined in Methods I or II previously. Such education and experience must be completed by examination date.

Foreign trained application

Foreign-trained applicants must provide details of their technical schooling and school curriculum for individual assessment by the TRC. This information must be submitted to the Associations manager one year prior to the date individual plans to sit the examination. Appropriate work experience under the supervision of a CBCPO certified and/or registered person in the appropriate discipline is also applicable.

Examination application procedure

Application Deadline Dates

The completed examination application forms must be received by registered courier mail by the Associations manager of the Corporation no later than April 30 of the year the applicant is applying to write or by a date otherwise specified. The non-refundable application fee must accompany the application. Examination application forms and full detailed instructions regarding application must be obtained from the Associations manager. Applications must be completed in all respects in order to be processed. Applications which are incomplete or are submitted on unacceptable forms will be returned without processing.

Acceptance Criteria

An applicant's acceptance for the registration examinations will stand for that year. If the individual does not sit the examination, they will have to submit a new examination application form and reapply under the rules and qualifications that then apply.

Format For Examinations

Written

Two and one-half hours is to be allowed to complete the written section of the exam. Written exam covers knowledge of:

  • Anatomy and Terminology
  • Materials
  • Upper extremity
  • Lower extremity
  • spinal
  • components.
  • Shoes and Shoe Modification
  • WHMIS and Safety

Practical

Six hours are to be allowed to complete the practical segment of the exam. Each task will be allotted marks, depending on the ability required. It will be up to the TRC to select projects for the practical exam. A format for the practical exam will be supplied to the examiner, which will be used as a guideline in setting up the exam.

The passing grade for the examination is 70%. An applicant must achieve this mark in both the written and practical section of the exam to pass.

Credentials Awarded

CBCPO Technician Registration is awarded as an attestation of competency for the public, those who require orthotic/prosthetic services, and those in other health professions. The awarding of CBCPO registration provides the registered Technician with an appropriate and meaningful recognition of professional competence.

Classification of registration:

  • R.T.P. (c) = Registered Technician in Prosthetics
  • R.T.O. (c) = Registered Technician in Orthotics
  • R.T.P.O. (c) = Registered Technician in Prosthetics and Orthotics

Application Forms

Registration Exam Applications (PDF)

For more detail contact

CBCPO Head Office
605- 294 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0B9
Phone: (204) 949-4972

Fax:  (204) 947-3627
e-mail: cbcpo@mts.net