The National Commission for Orthotic and Prosthetic Education recently announced its board has approved a decision to focus on higher learning and education accreditation activities at the post-secondary level.
The new, narrowed focus means the National Commission for Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) will no longer accredit or approve fitter education courses for the levels of orthotic fitter, therapeutic shoe fitter or mastectomy fitter. According to a press release, the decision was a result of the board’s consideration of best practices for O&P professions.
Effective immediately, NCOPE no longer will accept fitter level education course applications for accreditation or approval. All courses that have already been approved will maintain NCOPE accreditation through Dec. 31, 2017 and individuals who complete those courses will have completed an NCOPE-accredited program.
NCOPE plans to ensure the content of the fitter level education courses deemed related and necessary is covered by accredited post-secondary programs, according to the release.
Reference: www.ncope.org
