Gentlemen:
I would like to respond on behalf of Florida’s license law. As the first
state to enact licensure, our act was used as a model for subsequent state
enactments. New Jersey was the first state to pass license law, but was
unable to enact it for several years. Texas was in the process of crafting
their language for a statute. Activists from the three states worked
together, freely exchanging ideas and strategy. Hence the three states have
similar concepts in their law.
When initially enacted our statute contained provisions for “reciprocity”
with other states’ licenses. Unfortunately, as other states enacted their
acts it became obvious the zeal for licensure was not to enact minimum
standards in protection of our patients, but instead to further the the
protection of national certifying bodies.
We observed that some other states issued licenses under “grandfather” to
anyone with a heartbeat and a check that cleared. Also that minimum
standards for regular license were not based on recognized minimums, but
instead on what would allow the industry to fulfill it’s labor requirements
cheaply. It also seemed that instead of true standards their requirements
were based on the vagaries of the current standards of the two leading
certifying bodies.
For the above reasons the “reciprocity” provision was never enacted and was
eventually removed from the statute.
Florida’s minimum requirements are simple and can be obtained with some
effort and study. The requirements are: A Baccalaureate Degree; and if the
degree is not in P&O a certificate in specialized training in either P or O;
1900 hours of supervised experience in either an internship or residency;
and passage of the Florida examination.
So if you meet these minimum requirements you may get a license from Florida
in as little as two weeks.
It is unfortunate there may be talented practitioners who do not meet these
minimal standards and are unable to achieve a Florida license. But, to
protect the public and provide uniform standards, a line in the sand must be
drawn and adhered to without regard to anecdotal hyperbole.
Morris Gallo, LPO
On Wed, Sep 14, 2011 at 12:29 PM, Bill DeToro, CO
> Dear List,
>
> I would like to chime in on this one. I too am one of those “older
> generation” practitioners. I spent 5 years learning how to evaluate
> patients
> orthotic needs, while learning how to design and fabricate and
> subsequently fit
> orthoses to those patients.
>
> Afterwards, I took the required certificate courses in upper, lower and
> spinal orthotics that were being offered at NYU and NWU. I sat for and
> passed
> the ABC orthotic exam in 1973, first time around I might add. In addition,
> I spent two years at Youngstown State University but failed to get even an
> associates degree. Never the less I received some pretty good education
> that I have used more than a couple of times in my 62 years.
>
> I had the distinct honor and privilege to go through the chairs of the
> Ohio Orthotic and Prosthetic Association, The American Orthotic and
> Prosthetic
> Association and The American Board for Certification in Orthotics and
> Prosthetics, ultimately being elected President of all three associations.
> I
> also had the desire to become a Fellow of the Academy to prove that I had
> what it took to earn that honor. I also served as an orthotic examiner for
> well over 10 years.
>
> I imagine if I gave it enough additional thought I could fill up some
> additional space with other related things that I did within the orthotic
> prosthetic professions during the past 44 years.
>
> Unfortunately, now that I am enjoying the Florida winters, I can’t offer
> my expertise to patients in the sunshine state because of the lack of
> reciprocal licenses. That is unless I would agree to work under the direct
> supervision of some younger person who I am told must know a whole lot
> more about
> Orthotics than I do because he or she possesses the newer educational
> requirements of their license board.
>
> Exceptions in state licenses, regarding reciprocal privileges should be
> made, especially when the ultimate end result in doing so could very well
> equate to patients in those states being provided with excellent orthotic
> care
> from seasoned practitioners who still have a lot to offer.
>
> My two cents worth!
>
> William W. DeToro, LO/CO and a former FAAOP
>
>
> In a message dated 9/14/2011 11:51:13 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> [email protected] writes:
>
> Dear List:
>
> I am currently seeking employment. I am an ABC Certified Prosthetist and
> an
> Illinois Licensed Prosthetist and Orthotist. I have been told that there
> are not many states with licensing laws that have reciprocal licensing.
> The
> licensed examples most commonly stated as difficult to impossible to
> acquire
> are: Florida, Texas and New Jersey.
>
> I am wondering if there is a list of licensed states that shows whose
> previous license is recognized by another state without examination.
>
> I should also state that I am an old timer from the era that did not
> require
> a Bachelor’s Degree or residency to sit for the ABC exam. The rules from
> 1972 required a GED, two years experience and successful completion of the
> exam. (At the time Illinois first issued licenses, I received both
> licenses
> under the grandfather’s clause. That window of opportunity was only
> available for the first year of licensing. I am assuming that other
> states
> had grandfather’s clauses and are no longer available for use.)
>
> I think it would be of assistance, if somehow a chart could be made
> available of which licensed states will recognize and issue a reciprocal
> license to someone accepting employment in another licensed state.
>
> I would favor answers from members of their state’s licensing boards as
> definitive answers. I would also like to hear from successful licensees
> who
> transferred to another state and what their experiences were.
>
> I am sure that some one will also point out what additional questions I
> should have asked in this post.
>
> Thanks in advance for the assists.
>
> Ed Roman CP/LPO(IL)
>
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