State licensure continues to be a hot topic in the O&P profession.
Licensure legally defines a profession based upon educational standards,
protects the public through high levels of accountability, and defines
the scope of practice for the orthotics and prosthetics professional.
There is O&P licensure in only 10 states while most other allied health
professionals are licensed in the majority of the 50 states.
If your state is planning, considering, or attempting to establish a
licensure law for our profession, be sure to attend the licensure panel
discussion being held at the Annual Academy Meeting in Orlando on
Thursday, March 17 at 4:30pm.
The panel will be made up of practitioners and experts who were
instrumental in various licensure movements throughout the country.
A number of topics will be addressed including the importance of
licensure for defining a profession, protection of the public through
accountability, funding the effort, grassroots communication and
involvement, consumer support, choosing a lobbyist, writing the bill,
the legislative process, negotiating with other licensed professionals,
grandfathering, licensure boards, and the professions responsibility to
continue monitoring the licensure law.
Plenty of time for questions and answers will be provided. Attendees
will learn from both the successes and failures of the states that have
attempted to pursue licensure.
If you are interested in contributing or participating, please contact
The Academy at academy@oandp.org. This session will be open to members
only.
American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists=20
YOUR PROFESSIONAL HOME=20
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Alexandria, VA 22314=20
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