Fellow of the Academy Programs

The Fellow of the Academy programs are public-facing symbols of each Fellow's dedication to the profession and the patients they serve. Each program has a unique set of application requirements, which are detailed below.

Application Requirements:

• $300 Application Fee
• Copy of your education report from ABC, BOC, or your state licensure.
• Current CV/Resume

Academy Involvement (must meet BOTH requirements):

• Be in good standing with the Academy for 3+ years as a Professional member of the Academy.
• Serve actively^* on an Academy member group.
  ^*Active service includes regular group conference call attendance and group deliverables participation. For volunteer options, reference the volunteer engagement questionnaire.

Giving Back to the Profession:

• Demonstrate a history of service to the O&P profession in a volunteer capacity.
  The committee will consider your entire career. Any service must have been completed on your own time, not as part of your job.

Education (must meet BOTH requirements):

• Complete two Certificate Programs for Professional Development, available in
  O&P Knowledge  Central, the Academy's on-demand learning platform. 
• Write/present a Case Study or CAT that will be shared with Academy members.
  The case can be presented in various formats: written, live/virtually, video, etc.
  • A case study template can be found here.
  • A case study example can be found here.
  The CAT must be submitted in written format. The template can be found here.

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The Fellow of the Academy programs are public-facing symbols of each Fellow’s dedication to the profession and the patients they serve. Each program has a unique set of application requirements. The Associate Fellow of the Academy requirements are detailed below.

Application Requirements:

• $300 Application Fee
• Copy of your education report from ABC, BOC, or your state licensure.
• Current CV/Resume

Academy Involvement (must meet BOTH requirements):

• Be in good standing with the Academy for 3+ years as an Associate member of the Academy.
• Serve actively^* on an Academy member group.
  ^*Active service includes regular group conference call attendance and group deliverables participation. For volunteer options, reference the volunteer survey.

Giving Back to the Profession:

• Demonstrate a history of service to the O&P profession in a volunteer capacity.
  The committee will consider your entire career. Any service must have been completed on time, not as part of your job.

Education (must meet BOTH requirements)

• Complete two Certificate Programs for Professional Development
  Available online or in-person at select Academy Annual Meetings.
• Prepare one of the following to be shared with Academy members.
  • • Case Presentation. The case can be presented in various formats: written, live/virtually, video, etc. 

  or 

  • • Critically Appraised Topic (CAT). The CAT must be submitted in written format. The template can be found here.

Apply Now

The designation Fellow of the Academy with Distinction is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an Academy Active member and further recognition of those who are Fellows of the Academy that have gone above and beyond the Fellow of the Academy requirements. The Academy Fellow with Distinction designation recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to orthotics/prosthetics through leadership, publication, and presentation of concepts and research nationally and internationally.

Who can become a Fellow with Distinction?

Applicants must have been Academy Fellows for three or more years immediately preceding the application and be in good standing with the Academy.

What is required to become a Fellow with Distinction?

Applicants for the Fellow with Distinction designation must meet rigorous standards. Applicants must be involved in the Academy, have shared experience through publications or online course construction, and lectured at the national or international level.

Click here for an overview of the Fellow with Distinction requirements.

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