Education · 1 of 4
The path
Outside Quebec it is long and narrow: a degree, then one of only two programs, then a residency. Quebec has its own college route: tap Quebec route to add it.
- 1
High school
Grade 12
Physics, biology, math and shop or tech classes. This job is engineering, anatomy and craftsmanship at once.
- 2
Bachelor's degree
4 years
Any field, but kinesiology or a science degree with anatomy, physiology, physics, statistics and psychology is preferred.
- 3
Prosthetics and orthotics diploma
2 years
Two programs outside Quebec: BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology) in Burnaby and George Brown College in Toronto. Quebec has its own French college program at Collège Montmorency and Collège Mérici. BCIT takes a small class every second year, only from the four western provinces, after interviews.
- 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
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.