Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 746-X-7 — Licensure of Pedorthists

746 Alabama State Board of Prosthetists and Orthotist

Ala. Admin. Code r. 746-X-7-.01 Purpose

The purpose of this section is to establish the scope of practice and the qualifications for a licensed Pedorthist.

History

• Author: Glenn Crumpton
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-25A-1-14.
• New Rule: Filed November 14, 2007; effective December 19, 2007.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 746-X-7-.02 Application Required

(1) Application forms for licensure as a Pedorthist shall be adopted by the board and shall be disseminated to prospective applicants.

(2) The Board directs staff to prepare and create new forms, or modify existing forms, to be used in the application process for licensure, registration and temporary licensure or registration. Application forms shall require applicants to submit all information required by Code of Ala. 1975, §34-25A-1-14.

(3) Application forms may be obtained upon written request from the Board office.

(4) An applicant for licensure by the Board in accordance by Code of Ala. 1975, §34-25A-1-14, shall provide the Board with all information required pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, §34-25A-1-14 on forms created for that purpose by staff. In addition, an applicant shall provide either original documents or notarized or certified duplicates.

(5) The application and forms shall be submitted to the Board accompanied by fees as set by the Board. Any incomplete or missing information, documentation or fees shall render the application incomplete. No license or registration shall be issued unless all application requirements have been met. Incomplete applications will be considered abandoned after one year. Any applicable fees paid shall not be refunded.

(6) The applicant shall be forthright and open in the provision of information to the Board in the application process. No applicant shall be awarded a license or registration who does not provide the Board with complete, open and honest response to all requests for information.

(7) Any Board member, based on any response to any question or request for information on the application form, may request an applicant to provide any additional information that the Board member feels is necessary or useful to determine the applicant’s ability as a pedorthists.

(8) The applicant shall be candid in regard to the provision of information related to any academic misconduct or disciplinary action.

(9) The applicant shall be provided a copy of the Board rules on unprofessional conduct. The applicant shall review such rules and state candidly and honestly whether the applicant has committed any act that would constitute grounds for disciplinary action by the Board under the rules of the Board.

(10) The applicant shall cause to be paid all necessary fees related to the application.

(11) It is the responsibility of the applicant to verify the applicant’s identity and the validity of all documents or information submitted to the Board in the licensure process.

(12) The Board may contact other sources as necessary to verify information provided during the application process. Should information be found through correspondence that was previously unknown to the Board, the application will be held until such time as the Secretary of the Board is satisfied that the information has been validated by the staff.

(13) An applicant may withdraw an application for licensure at any time prior to the submission of the application for consideration by the Board. No application may be withdrawn by an applicant after it has been submitted to the Board.

(14) A foreign applicant shall provide the Board with written proof of the applicant’s ability to work in the United States as authorized by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.

(15) Definitions may be added or amended by act of the Board as required.

History

• Author: Glenn Crumpton
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-25A-1-14.
• New Rule: Filed November 14, 2007; effective December 19, 2007. Amended: Filed June 15, 2010; effective July 20, 2010.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 746-X-7-.03 Scope Of Practice

(1) Practice of Pedorthics. Pedorthics is the practice, pursuant to a written order/prescription when addressing a medical condition, of evaluating, treatment planning, patient managing, measuring, designing, fabricating, assembling, fitting, adjusting or servicing, necessary to accomplish the application of a pedorthic device for the prevention or amelioration of painful and/or disabling conditions of the foot and ankle.

(2) Certified Pedorthist.

(a) A certified pedorthist (C.Ped.) is a professional whose competence in the practice of pedorthics is credentialed by a nationally recognized certifying board accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), or such other national agency as may be approved by the board.

(b) The practice of pedorthics by a certified pedorthist inherently includes both prescriptive and nonprescriptive work because of the universal use of footwear. As a member of the health care team, a C.Ped. plays an important role in the patient’s foot care; however, absent another professional certification or credential, a certified pedorthist shall not diagnose, prescribe, provide medical prognosis, or perform invasive procedures. A written order/prescription is required for any pedorthic device, modification, and/or prefabricated below the knee anatomical support addressing a medical condition. A C.Ped’s activities must reflect his/her certification and education. A C.Ped fits, fabricates, adjusts, modifies, or transfers devices which reflect his/her certification.

(3) Pedorthic Devices. “Pedorthic devices” means therapeutic shoes, shoe modifications made for therapeutic purposes, partial foot prostheses (L5000), foot orthoses and subtalar-control foot orthoses (SCFO, see below). Pedorthic devices do not include non-therapeutic, accommodative inlays and non-therapeutic accommodative footwear, regardless of method of manufacture; unmodified, non-therapeutic over-the-counter shoes; or prefabricated foot care products. For purposes of this document, “accommodative” means designed with a primary goal of conforming to the individual’s anatomy, and “therapeutic” devices are devices that address a medical condition, while non-therapeutic devices are devices that do not address a medical condition.

(4) Subtalar -Control Foot Orthosis (SCFO). Subtalar-Control Foot Orthosis (SCFO): a lower extremity orthosis designed to manage the function of the anatomy distal to the ankle joint by controlling the range of motion of the subtalar joint. The proximal length of a SCFO does not extend beyond the musculotendonis junction of the gastrocnemius and the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon. A SCFO is a method of treatment of conditions related to the foot demanding additional surface area to control forces. A SCFO does not include a supramalleoli orthosis.

(5) Comprehensive Pedorthic Care includes the following conditions:

(a) Patients with previous amputation of the foot, or part of either foot

(b) Patients with history of previous foot ulcerations of either foot

(c) Patients with history of pre-ulcerative calluses of either foot

(d) Patients with peripheral neuropathy with evidence of callus formation of either foot

(e) Patients with foot deformity of either foot

(f) Patients with poor circulation in either foot

History

• Author: Glenn Crumpton
• Authority: Code of Ala 1975, §34-25A-1-14
• New Rule: Filed November 14, 2007; effective December 19, 2007. Amended: Filed September 1, 2010; effective October 6, 2010.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 746-X-7-.04 Requirements For Licensure As A Pedorthists

Requirements for Licensure as a Pedorthist shall not apply to any individual who currently holds a Pedorthist license with this Board as of the effective date of this rule

History

• Author: Glenn Crumpton
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-25A-1-14.
• New Rule: Filed November 14, 2007; effective December 19, 2007. Repealed and New Rule: Filed September 1, 2010; effective October 6, 2010.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 746-X-7-.05 Continuing Professional Education Required

(1)(a) As a condition of licensure renewal, a pedorthist must obtain every year a minimum of one hour of continuing education in board approved courses on regulation and compliance with the Alabama prosthetic and orthotic act and board rules.

(b) As a condition of license renewal, a pedorthist must obtain every year a minimum of one hour of continuing education board approved courses on ethics.

(2)(a) A minimum of 55 hours of continuing education for a pedorthist, as approved by the Alabama State Board of Prosthetists and Orthotics, is required for each five (5) year period for license renewal.

(b) No more than one third (1/3) of the required hours may be completed in a distance based continuing education format which complies with the provisions of this rule.

History

• Author: Glenn Crumpton
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-25A-1-14.
• New Rule: Filed November 7, 2013; effective December 12, 2013.