Okla. Stat. tit. 59, § 59-3006

Alternative requirements – Temporary licensure without examination.

A. The State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, with

the assistance of the Advisory Committee on Orthotics and

Prosthetics, shall establish qualifications for licensure and

registration under the Orthotics and Prosthetics Practice Act.

Until November 1, 2004, the Board shall provide, as set forth

herein, an alternative qualification licensure opportunity for

current practitioners in this state who are unable to meet standard

qualifications. Persons meeting the qualifications of more than one

discipline may be licensed in more than one discipline.

B. To be licensed to practice orthotics or prosthetics

according to standard qualifications, a person shall:

1. Demonstrate certification by the Board for

Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC), or the American Board for

Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC); or

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2. a. Possess a baccalaureate degree from an institution of

higher education accredited by a general accrediting

agency recognized by the Oklahoma State Regents for

Higher Education;

b. Have completed an orthotic or prosthetic education

program that meets or exceeds the requirements,

including clinical practice, of the Commission on

Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs;

c. Have completed a clinical residency in the

professional area for which the license is sought that

meets or exceeds the standards, guidelines, and

procedures for residencies of the National Commission

on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education or of any other

such group that is recognized by the State Board of

Medical Licensure and Supervision; and

d. Demonstrate attainment of internationally accepted

standards of orthotic and prosthetic care as outlined

by the International Society of Prosthetics and

Orthotics professional profile for Category I orthotic

and prosthetic personnel.

C. To be licensed to practice orthotics or prosthetics under

alternative qualification requirements, a person shall:

1. Pass an examination in the area of licensure, which may be

an available examination designated by the State Board of Medical

Licensure and Supervision or an examination developed by the Board;

and

2. Execute an alternative qualification contract with the State

Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision the conditions of which

shall be based on the Board's evaluation of the applicant's

experience and the Board's determination of further experience

needed or other requirements to be met, which contract shall specify

a period of time not to exceed ten (10) years for completion of the

further experience or requirements.

D. Upon execution of the alternative qualification contract,

the Board shall issue a license and shall renew the license subject

to the licensee's making satisfactory progress as required by the

contract. Persons who satisfactorily complete the alternative

qualification contract shall be thereafter considered as having met

the qualifications necessary for license renewal.

E. No person shall be permitted to enter into an alternative

qualification contract after October 31, 2004. A person who has not

done so by October 31, 2004, shall not be issued a license to

practice orthotics or prosthetics without meeting standard

qualifications.

F. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a

person who has practiced full time during the three-year period

preceding the effective date of this act in a prosthetic or orthotic

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facility as a prosthetist or orthotist and has a high school diploma

or equivalent, or who has practiced as an assistant or technician,

may file an application with the Board within ninety (90) days from

the effective date of this act for permission to continue to

practice at his or her identified level of practice. The Board,
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facility as a prosthetist or orthotist and has a high school diploma

or equivalent, or who has practiced as an assistant or technician,

may file an application with the Board within ninety (90) days from

the effective date of this act for permission to continue to

practice at his or her identified level of practice. The Board,

after verifying the applicant's work history and receiving payment

of the application fee as established pursuant to this act, shall,

without examination of the applicant, issue the applicant a license

or certificate of registration. To make the investigations

necessary to verify the applicant’s work history, the Board may

require that the applicant complete a questionnaire regarding the

work history and scope of practice. The Board shall take no more

than six (6) months to verify the work history. Applicants applying

after the ninety-day application period of this subsection has

expired shall meet the qualifications elsewhere set forth for

standard or alternative qualification for licensure or for

registration as determined by the Board.

G. The Board may authorize the Board Secretary to issue a

temporary license for up to two (2) years to individuals who have

graduated from a program and completed their residency as outlined

in subsection B of this section, but not yet passed the licensure

exam. A temporary license authorizing practice under supervision

shall be granted only when the Board Secretary is satisfied as to

the qualifications of the applicant to be licensed under the

Orthotics and Prosthetics Practice Act except for examination. A

temporary license shall be granted only to an applicant demonstrably

qualified for a full and unrestricted license under the requirements

set by the Orthotics and Prosthetics Practice Act and the rules of

the Board.