The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) announced that its board of directors recently approved a plan to stop accepting new applications for its orthotist (BOCO), prosthetist (BOCP), and pedorthist (BOCPD) certifications, effective August 1.
BOC said it will continue to approve continuing education courses and provide assistance to all BOC-certified professionals in meeting continuing education requirements, renewing their certifications, and ensuring BOC professionals deliver the highest level of quality patient care. According to a BOC Fact Sheet, certificants will continue to be able to track their continuing education credits, utilize the MYBOC portal, renew certifications, and receive continuing customer service from BOC. BOC will support certificants in all certification programs throughout their careers, and will continue its membership and active participation in the O&P Alliance.
“There will be no changes in BOC’s approved provider program; education providers are encouraged to continue submitting their courses to BOC for approval, and BOC will continue to list them on our website,” said Claudia Zacharias, MBA, CAE, president and CEO of BOC.
“BOC has been a recognized partner in these fields for more than 30 years and remains firmly committed to supporting our certificants and the millions of people who depend on BOC professionals to improve the quality of their lives,” said L. Bradley “Brad” Watson, BOCO, BOCP, LPO, BOC board chair.
The decision was predicated upon a strategic analysis that showed more growth potential for BOC in other areas. The organization’s facility and pharmacy accreditation programs and certification programs for the orthotic fitter (COF), mastectomy fitter (CMF), and durable medical equipment specialists (CDME) are unaffected by the board’s decision. Offering these credentials remains a long-term commitment of the organization.
“BOC’s financial position is strong, and we look forward to the future, as we both support our current certificants and expand in areas where there is growth potential,” Zacharias added.
