Education · 1 of 4

The path

Long and narrow: a degree, then one of only two Canadian programs, then a residency.

1. 1

   High school

   Grade 12

   Physics, biology, math and shop or tech classes. This job is engineering, anatomy and craftsmanship at once.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   4 years

   Any field, but kinesiology or a science degree with anatomy, physiology, physics, statistics and psychology is preferred.

3. 3

   Prosthetics and orthotics diploma

   2 years

   Two programs in Canada: BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology) in Burnaby and George Brown College in Toronto. BCIT takes about 15 students every second year, only from the four western provinces, after interviews.

4. 4

   Residency

   2 years

   A 2-year paid residency in a clinic, in prosthetics or orthotics. You find the position yourself. Residencies are overseen by Orthotics Prosthetics Canada, the national certifying body.

5. 5

   Certification exam

   After the residency

   Pass the national exam to become a CO(c) (Certified Orthotist) or CP(c) (Certified Prosthetist). Many clinicians later do a second residency to hold both.