CMS-Deemed Accreditation
DMEPOS Certification

Board of Certification/Accreditation

CMS-Deemed Accreditation
DMEPOS Certification

Certification FAQs

What documentation am I required to submit with my application?

Please submit documents demonstrating that you have met your education requirements with your application. For Orthotic Fitter and Mastectomy Fitter applications, include your certificate of completion for an approved education program completed within the last five years.

How can I earn the required hours of experience?

You can earn the required hours of  patient care experience by volunteering at your local hospital or clinic.

To find opportunities to earn the required hours contact you can:

  • contact BOC-accredited facilities in your area.
  • ask a certified professional to come to your facility.
  • search for professionals using the BOC Certificant Directory.
Are all fees due at the time of my application, even if I haven't registered for the exam?

While the application fee is the only required upfront payment, it makes sense to settle your account at the time of application.  Contact us if you have any questions.

What is the next step after I apply?

You’ll receive a confirmation from BOC’s certification team by email or fax. BOC will include instructions for taking your exam.

How do I schedule my exam time, date, and location?

BOC’s testing provider, PSI Services, offers exams in-person at a test location or online from your computer with a live, remote proctor. Live remote proctored exams can be taken at any time, any day that there is availability on the online scheduling portal. Some in-person locations offer exams on Saturdays. Choose your testing location from the list on the PSI website. Please schedule with PSI at least three business days prior to your desired test date.

What is the deadline to apply for an exam?

BOC offers year-round testing, so you can submit your application as soon as you are ready to take the exam. Once you submit your application for certification, you have three years to pass the exam.

Where can I find study materials for the exam?

Use our Exam Study Resources page for study materials.

How long do I have to finish my exam?

Orthotic Fitter and Mastectomy Fitter candidates have 2 1/2 hours to finish these exams.

DME Specialist candidates have 2 hours to finish the exam.

When do I get my exam results?

You will receive your results immediately for all computer-based exams. (Note: BOC does not yet offer instant scoring for candidates in Canada or Puerto Rico. For candidates in either of these locations, written exam results will be sent by mail within two to three weeks after completing the exam.)

What happens if I do not pass my exam?

You may retake your exam after waiting 90 days. After 90 days, submit the Examination Payment Form with your retesting fee. You can retake an exam a maximum of five times within the three-year period; exam fees apply every time you retake an exam.

What happens after I pass my exam?

You will receive a professional number, certificate, and a welcome packet from BOC within four to six weeks. You can also obtain a certificate within two weeks through MyBOC.

When should I renew my certification?

You should renew with BOC every year by December 31. BOC will contact you to remind you when it is time to renew.

How do I search for a person in the directory?

Visit the directory map and search by credential, name, or state.  Keep in mind that some professionals choose to opt-out of the directory.

If you opted to be excluded from the directory but now want to be added, change your preference through your MyBOC account.

How do I discontinue my certification?

Complete the Voluntary Relinquishment Form and send it to BOC. You will have one year to change your mind, and BOC will require a $100 reactivation fee. If you decide to return to active status after one year of being inactive, you will need to contact BOC.

What if I haven’t paid my renewals in a long time? Can I be recertified with BOC again?

You can request to be recertified if it has been less than three years since your last payment. Recertification requires payment of all back-renewal fees plus a $100 reinstatement fee.

If more than three years have passed, your certification will be revoked. In that case, you are required to reapply for certification, retake and pass the exam, and pay a reinstatement fee.

Contact us for more information. We are ready to welcome you back to BOC.

Continuing Education

What are the Continuing Education Unit (CEU) requirements?

CEU requirements run on a five-year cycle. The current cycle runs from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2024. The following credit amounts are required to be completed and verified by the end of the current CE cycle:

CEU Requirements by Certification and Category

The chart below provides total CEU requirements by certification and per category. For more information on requirements for maintaining your certification status, consult the BOC Recertification Policy Guidelines.

Certification Minimum Total Minimum Scientific Maximum Business Carry-over Allowance*
BOCO® 75 37.5 37.5 15
BOCP® 75 37.5 37.5 15
BOCPD™ 55 27.5 27.5 11
COF® 40 20 20 8
CMF® 10 5 5 2
CDME™ 10 5 5 2

*Certificants who earn more CEUs than they need may carry over a limited number of CEUs into the next cycle.

CEU Requirements Based on Your Certification Date

If you are certified at any point during the current five-year cycle (January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2024,) your CE requirements are prorated and vary from the above table. Please refer to the chart below for the required number of CEUs due by 12/31/24:

 

Certification Earned Before 12/31/19 1/1/20 to 12/31/20 1/1/21 to 12/31/21 1/1/22 to 12/31/22 1/1/23 to 12/31/23 1/1/24 to 12/31/24
BOCO® 75 60 45 30 15 n/a
BOCP® 75 60 45 30 15 n/a
BOCPD™ 55 44 33 22 11 n/a
COF® 40 32 24 16 8 n/a
CMF® 10 8 6 4 2 n/a
CDME™ 10 8 6 4 2 n/a
How do I submit my CEUs to BOC?

You can submit your CEUs online through MyBOC. Log in to your account, click on “Manage CEUs,” and press “Click here to add new CEUs.” Enter the course date, title, provider, category, and number of credits awarded, then click “Save.” BOC conducts random audits of CEU documentation, so you should retain records that verify completion of CEUs submitted online through the end of each five-year cycle. The current cycle ends December 31, 2024. If you cannot submit CEUs online, complete and submit the CE Submission Form.

How can I find out which courses qualify for CEUs?

To qualify for CEUs, the continuing education activity must be related to:

  • treatment methods, technologies, devices, or developments in your field
  • business or ethical issues for maintaining a professional practice
  • subjects relevant to providing service to patients

BOC accepts non-pre-approved CEUs for courses and events involving content within your field. CEUs for non-pre-approved courses are subject to BOC review and approval.

How can I find out how many CEUs I have confirmed with BOC?

Log in to MyBOC, then click on “Manage CEUs.” The CEU record will show you the CEUs you have earned in the current cycle, plus how many CEUs are needed to fulfill your CE Cycle requirements. You can also view your previous CEU records from older CE Cycles, if applicable. If you do not see all your earned CEUs reflected online, please submit the missing course or event documentation, including your course certificate and/or proof of attendance to BOC.

What are Scientific and Business credits?

Scientific credit hours are related to the scientific, professional and/or technical aspects of your field. A minimum of 50% of your total CEUs are required to be Scientific credit hours.

Business credit hours are related to business management in your field. A maximum of 50% of your total CEUs can be Business credit hours.

If I have more than one BOC certification, do I need to meet CEU requirements for both?

BOC certificants with multiple certifications must meet the CEU requirements for the certification with the highest total. For example, an individual who is certified as an orthotist and a mastectomy fitter must meet the CEU requirements for an orthotist, which is 75 CEUs over a five-year cycle.

Licensure

What is O&P licensure?

Some states require a license for O&P practitioners to practice in their state. To learn your state’s licensure requirements, access the DMEPOS State Licensure Directory and choose your state. Select your product/service and review the details that appear. You can view the current list of states with O&P licensure here.

In some states with O&P licensure, there have been unintended consequences that have adversely affected the level of, and access to, care. For instance, a highly qualified and experienced practitioner desiring to relocate to a licensure state could be unable to obtain a license due to the expiration of the provision for grandfathering. For more information, please contact us.

How can I get involved?

BOC is monitoring the progress of state developments regarding licensure, and we work to actively participate in the discussions. However, the most powerful and knowledgeable advocate for beneficial licensure are your patients and you, the resident, practitioner, and business owner. You can become involved in your state to make sure patients statewide receive the highest quality care by joining your state’s O&P association and informing BOC of any legislation introduced that might impact the profession.

General

How do I make payments and change information on my account?

The fastest and most secure method to submit payments to BOC is by logging in to MyBOC. To update your account simply log in, make your edits, and save.

Have Questions? We Have Answers!