The Texas Legislature created the Texas Board of Orthotics & Prosthetics in 1997 to license and regulate orthotic and/or prosthetic practitioners, assistants, technicians, and students in Texas to protect the public and improve the standards of the profession. The board accomplishes these goals by setting and enforcing professional and ethical qualifications and standards for the professionals and facilities that provide this service.
Board Members
During fiscal year 2003, the Texas Board of Orthotics & Prosthetics consisted of six members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Three members were licensed under the Orthotics & Prosthetics Act, and three members represented the public. The Board membership consisted of one licensed orthotist who had practiced orthotics for the five years preceding the date of appointment; one licensed prosthetist who had practiced prosthetics for the five years preceding the date of appointment; one licensed prosthetist/orthotist who had practiced prosthetics and orthotics for the five years preceding the date of appointment; one representative of the public who used an orthosis; one representative of the public who used a prosthesis; and one representative of the public who did not use a prosthesis or orthosis. Members of the Board serve staggered six-year terms. The terms of two members expire on February 1 of each odd-numbered year. Board officers are elected in odd-numbered years. Effective September 1, 2003 the Texas Board of Orthotics and Prosthetics became a seven-member board with the addition of one public seat. Erin Berling and Richard Neider were appointed in June 2003 to replace Kenneth Hart and Thomas Lunsford.
Members Representing Term Expires
Scott Atha Professional – Prosthetics and Orthotics February 1, 2003
Erin Berling Professional – Prosthetics and Orthotics February 1, 2007
Wanda Furgason Public February 1, 2005
Kenneth Hart Professional – Orthotics February 1, 2001
Thomas Lunsford Professional – Orthotics February 1, 2001
Richard Neider Professional – Orthotics February 1, 2007
Stanley Thomas Public February 1, 2003
Lupe Young Public February 1, 2005
Staff
Heather Muehr became the Executive Director for the board in February 2003. Donna Flippin served as the Executive Director prior to Ms. Muehr’s appointment. There are two administrative staff positions that assist with the daily operation of the program. All staff positions serve as support for other licensing programs within the Professional Licensing and Certification Division. The board is administratively attached to the Texas Department of Health, Professional Licensing and Certification Division.
Requirements for Licensure
Practitioner - Bachelor's degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics or Bachelor's degree in another subject and a Prosthetic and/or Orthotic certificate, plus 1900 hours of clinical residency per discipline. Applicants are also required to pass the appropriate examinations. An alternative is an Associate's degree including courses in anatomy and physiology, physics or chemistry, and trigonometry or higher mathematics, plus 4500 hours of clinical residency per discipline. The Associate's degree option ends January 1, 2005.
Assistant - Associate's degree including courses in anatomy and physiology, physics or chemistry, and trigonometry or higher mathematics, plus 1000 hours of clinical residency per discipline.
Technician - High School diploma or equivalent, or three semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited college or university, plus 1000 hours of laboratory experience per discipline.
Student - Education requirements are the same as a practitioner. The student registration is issued while the student completes the clinical residency and examination requirements.
Continuing Education
Continuing education requirements are intended to maintain and improve the quality of services provided to the public by licensees and registrants. Continuing education credits include programs beyond the basic preparation. These programs are designed to promote and enrich knowledge, improve skills, and develop attitudes for the enhancement of the profession, thus improving prosthetic and orthotic care provided to the public.
Type of License Number of Hours Required for Each Renewal Period
prosthetist or orthotist license 24
prosthetist and orthotist license 40
prosthetist or orthotist assistant 12
prosthetist and orthotist assistant 20
prosthetic or orthotic technician 6
prosthetic and orthotic technician 10
Licensing Activities
As of August 31, 2003, the Board approved and issued 195 orthotic and prosthetic facility accreditation certificates and 480 individual initial licenses or registrations. The Board issues 18 types of individual licenses and three types of facility accreditation, orthotic, prosthetic, or prosthetic/orthotic. The types and numbers of individual licenses issued are as follows:
Title License Registration Temporary Provisional
Orthotist 143 3 1
Prosthetist 78 1 0
Prosthetist / Orthotist 155 2 1
Orthotist Assistant 13
Prosthetist Assistant 7
Prosthetist / Orthotist Assistant 23
Orthotic Technician 7
Prosthetic Technician 8
Prosthetic / Orthotic Technician 14
Orthotic Student 11
Prosthetic Student 10
Prosthetic / Orthotic Student 3
Budget
The total revenue for the Texas Board of Orthotics & Prosthetics program for fiscal year 2003 was $146,598. The total expenditures for the Texas Board of Orthotics & Prosthetics program for fiscal year 2003 were $112,468. In November 202, the Board adopted six new fees and increase two existing fees. These amendments resulted in increased revenue for fiscal year 2003.
Disciplinary Actions
During fiscal year 2003, the Texas Board of Orthotics & Prosthetics received 18 complaints and closed 23 complaints. Of the 23 closed complaints, 4 complaints were received in FY 2003 and 19 complaints were received in previous fiscal years. One cease and desist letter was issued.
Public Information
The board maintains a home page on the Texas Department of Health's web site to provide information about its programs and activities to the public. The page may be found at
Summary
During FY 2003, the Board met three times to review and approve applications. Complaint processing and complaint investigations are a major activity.
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