CHAPTER 221
LICENSURE OF ORTHOTISTS, PROSTHETISTS, AND PEDORTHISTS
645—221.1(148F) Definitions. For purposes of these rules, the following definitions shall apply:
“Active license” means a license that is current and has not expired.
“Board” means the board of podiatry.
“Grace period” means the 30-day period following expiration of a license when the license is still considered to be active. In order to renew a license during the grace period, a licensee is required to pay a late fee.
“Inactive license” means a license that has expired because it was not renewed by the end of the grace period. The category of “inactive license” may include licenses formerly known as lapsed, inactive, delinquent, closed, or retired.
“Licensee” means any person licensed to practice as an orthotist, prosthetist, or pedorthist in the state of Iowa.
“License expiration date” means June 30 of even-numbered years.
“Licensure by endorsement” means the issuance of an Iowa license to practice orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics to an applicant who is or has been licensed in another state.
“Mandatory training” means training on identifying and reporting child abuse or dependent adult abuse required of orthotists, prosthetists, or pedorthists who are mandatory reporters. The full requirements on mandatory reporting of child abuse and the training requirements are found in Iowa Code section 232.69. The full requirements on mandatory reporting of dependent adult abuse and the training requirements are found in Iowa Code section 235B.16.
“Reactivate” or “reactivation” means the process as outlined in rule 645—221.8(17A,147,272C) by which an inactive license is restored to active status.
“Reciprocal license” means the issuance of an Iowa license to practice orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics to an applicant who is currently licensed in another state that has a mutual agreement with the Iowa board of podiatry to license persons who have the same or similar qualifications to those required in Iowa.
“Reinstatement” means the process as outlined in rule 645—11.31(272C) by which a licensee who has had a license suspended or revoked or who has voluntarily surrendered a license may apply to have the license reinstated, with or without conditions. Once the license is reinstated, the licensee may apply for active status.
[ARC 1192C, IAB 11/27/13, effective 1/1/14]
645—221.2(148F) Transition period. Current practitioners of orthotics, prosthetics, and pedorthics who submit a completed application and appropriate licensure fee to the board office on or prior to June 30, 2014, may be issued an initial license based on the following criteria:
	1.	Verification of current certification in good standing as an orthotist, prosthetist, or pedorthist from the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics, Incorporated. The verification must be submitted to the board directly from the accrediting body; or
	2.	Verification of current certification in good standing as an orthotist, prosthetist, or pedorthist from the Board of Certification, International. The verification must be submitted to the board directly from the accrediting body; or
	3.	Verification of continuous practice of at least 30 hours per week as an orthotist, prosthetist, or pedorthist for at least five of seven years in an accredited and bonded facility. The five years of continuous practice must occur between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2014. The practice must occur in an accredited and bonded facility unless the facility is not required to be accredited and bonded by Medicare.
[ARC 1192C, IAB 11/27/13, effective 1/1/14]
645—221.3(148F) Requirements for licensure. The following criteria shall apply to licensure:
	221.3(1) An applicant shall complete an application.
	221.3(2) An applicant shall complete the application form according to the instructions contained in the application. If the application is not completed according to the instructions, the application will not be reviewed by the board.
	221.3(3) Each application shall be accompanied by the appropriate fees payable to the Board of Podiatry. The fees are nonrefundable.
	221.3(4) No application will be considered complete until official copies of academic transcripts are received.
	a. 	Applicants for licensure in orthotics or prosthetics must submit proof of graduation from an educational program approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
	b. 	Applicants for licensure in pedorthics must submit proof of graduation from an educational program approved by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education.
	221.3(5) Transcripts must be sent directly from the school to the board.
	221.3(6) Licensees who were issued their licenses within six months prior to the renewal date shall not be required to renew their licenses until the renewal date two years later.
	221.3(7) Incomplete applications that have been on file in the board office for more than two years shall be:
	a. 	Considered invalid and shall be destroyed; or
	b. 	Retained upon written request of the applicant. The applicant is responsible for requesting that the file be retained.
	221.3(8) The applicant shall ensure that the passing score from the appropriate professional examination is sent directly to the board from the examination service.
	221.3(9) Applicants for licensure in orthotics or prosthetics must provide documentation of successful completion of a residency program accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education.
	221.3(10) Applicants for licensure in pedorthics must provide documentation of successful completion of a qualified clinical experience program.
[ARC 1192C, IAB 11/27/13, effective 1/1/14; ARC 5768C, IAB 7/14/21, effective 8/18/21]
645—221.4(148F) Written examinations.
	221.4(1) Prosthetists must have completed and passed the Board of Certification/Accreditation, International (BOC), or American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics, Incorporated (ABC), examination for prosthetists.
	221.4(2) Orthotists must have completed and passed the BOC or ABC examination for orthotists.
	221.4(3) Pedorthists must have completed and passed the BOC or ABC examination for pedorthists.
	221.4(4) The applicant has responsibility for:
	a. 	Making arrangements to take the examinations; and
	b. 	Arranging to have the examination score reports sent directly to the board from the ABC or BOC.
	221.4(5) A passing score as recommended by the administrators of the ABC or BOC examination shall be required.
[ARC 1192C, IAB 11/27/13, effective 1/1/14]
645—221.5(148F) Educational qualifications.
	221.5(1) An applicant for licensure to practice as an orthotist or prosthetist shall present official copies of academic transcripts, verifying completion of the following requirements:
	a. 	A baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Transcripts must be sent directly from the school to the board of podiatry; and
	b. 	Verification of completion of an academic program in orthotics or prosthetics accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Transcripts must be sent directly from the school to the board of podiatry.
	221.5(2) An applicant for licensure to practice as a pedorthist shall present official copies of academic transcripts, verifying completion of the following requirements:
	a. 	A high school diploma or its equivalent; and
	b. 	Verification of completion of an academic program in pedorthics accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education. Verification must be sent directly from the school to the board of podiatry.
	221.5(3) An applicant who has relocated to Iowa from a state that did not require licensure to practice the profession may submit proof of work experience in lieu of educational and training requirements, if eligible, in accordance with rule 645—19.2(272C).
[ARC 1192C, IAB 11/27/13, effective 1/1/14; ARC 5768C, IAB 7/14/21, effective 8/18/21]
645—221.6(148F) Licensure by endorsement.
	221.6(1) An applicant who has been a licensed orthotist, prosthetist, or pedorthist under the laws of another jurisdiction shall file an application for licensure by endorsement with the board office. The board may receive by endorsement any applicant from the District of Columbia, another state, territory, province or foreign country who:
	a. 	Submits to the board a completed application;
	b. 	Pays the licensure fee;
	c. 	Shows evidence of licensure requirements that are similar to those required in Iowa;
	d. 	For prosthetic or orthotic licensure, provides:
	(1)	A baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Transcripts must be sent directly from the school to the board of podiatry; and
	(2)	Verification of completion of an academic program in orthotics or prosthetics accredited by CAAHEP. Transcripts must be sent directly from the school to the board of podiatry;
	e. 	For pedorthic licensure, provides:
	(1)	A high school diploma or its equivalent; and
	(2)	Verification of completion of an academic program in pedorthics accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education. Verification must be sent directly from the school to the board of podiatry;
	f. 	Provides verification of license from the jurisdiction in which the applicant has most recently been licensed, sent directly from the jurisdiction to the board office. The applicant must also disclose any public or pending complaints against the applicant in any other jurisdiction. Web-based verification may be substituted for verification direct from the jurisdiction’s board office if the verification provides:
	(1)	Licensee’s name;
	(2)	Date of initial licensure;
	(3)	Current licensure status; and
	(4)	Any disciplinary action taken against the license;
	g. 	Submits a copy of the scores from the appropriate professional examination to be sent directly from the examination service to the board.
	221.6(2) Individuals who were issued their licenses by endorsement within six months of the license renewal date will not be required to renew their licenses until the next renewal date two years later.
	221.6(3) Licensure by verification. A person who is licensed in another jurisdiction but who is unable to satisfy the requirements for licensure by endorsement may apply for licensure by verification, if eligible, in accordance with rule 645—19.1(272C).
[ARC 1192C, IAB 11/27/13, effective 1/1/14; ARC 5768C, IAB 7/14/21, effective 8/18/21; ARC 6994C, IAB 4/19/23, effective 5/24/23]
645—221.7(148F) License renewal.
	221.7(1) The biennial license renewal period for a license to practice orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics shall begin on July 1 of an even-numbered year and end on June 30 of the next even-numbered year. The licensee is responsible for renewing the license prior to its expiration. Failure of the licensee to receive notice from the board does not relieve the licensee of the responsibility for renewing the license.
	221.7(2) An individual who was issued a license within six months of the license renewal date will not be required to renew the license until the subsequent renewal date two years later.
	221.7(3) A licensee seeking renewal shall:
	a. 	Meet the continuing education requirements of rule 645—225.2(148F,272C). A licensee whose license was reactivated during the current renewal compliance period may use continuing education credit earned during the compliance period for the first renewal following reactivation; and
	b. 	Submit the completed renewal application and renewal fee before the license expiration date.
	221.7(4) Upon receipt of the information required by this rule and the required fee, board staff shall administratively issue a two-year license. In the event the board receives adverse information on the renewal application, the board shall issue the renewal license but may refer the adverse information for further consideration or disciplinary investigation.
	221.7(5) A person licensed to practice orthotics, prosthetics, or pedorthics shall keep the license certificate and renewal displayed in a conspicuous public place at the primary site of practice.
	221.7(6) Late renewal. The license shall become late when the license has not been renewed by the expiration date on the renewal. The licensee shall be assessed a late fee as specified in 645—subrule 5.15(7). To renew a late license, the licensee shall complete the renewal requirements and submit the late fee within the grace period.
	221.7(7) Inactive license. A licensee who fails to renew the license by the end of the grace period has an inactive license. A licensee whose license is inactive continues to hold the privilege of licensure in Iowa but may not practice as an orthotist, prosthetist, or pedorthist in Iowa until the license is reactivated. A licensee who practices as an orthotist, prosthetist, or pedorthist in the state of Iowa with an inactive license may be subject to disciplinary action by the board, injunctive action pursuant to Iowa Code section 147.83, criminal sanctions pursuant to Iowa Code section 147.86, and other available legal remedies.
[ARC 1192C, IAB 11/27/13, effective 1/1/14; ARC 5768C, IAB 7/14/21, effective 8/18/21]
645—221.8(17A,147,272C) License reactivation. To apply for reactivation of an inactive license, a licensee shall:
	221.8(1) Submit a reactivation application on a form provided by the board.
	221.8(2) Pay the reactivation fee that is due as specified in rule 645—5.15(147,148F,149).
	221.8(3) Provide verification of current competence to practice by satisfying one of the following criteria:
	a. 	If the license has been on inactive status for five years or less, an applicant must provide the following:
	(1)	Verification of the license from the jurisdiction in which the applicant has most recently been practicing during the time period the Iowa license was inactive, sent directly from the jurisdiction to the board office. The applicant must also disclose any public or pending complaints against the applicant in any other jurisdiction. Web-based verification may be substituted for verification from a jurisdiction’s board office if the verification includes:
	1.	Licensee’s name;
	2.	Date of initial licensure;
	3.	Current licensure status; and
	4.	Any disciplinary action taken against the license; and
	(2)	Verification of completion of:
	1.	For orthotists or prosthetists, 30 hours of continuing education within two years of application for reactivation or verification of active practice, consisting of at least 2,080 hours, in another state or jurisdiction during the two years preceding an application for reactivation.
	2.	For pedorthists, 20 hours of continuing education within two years of application for reactivation or verification of active practice, consisting of at least 2,080 hours, in another state or jurisdiction during the two years preceding an application for reactivation.
	b. 	If the license has been on inactive status for more than five years, an applicant must provide the following:
	(1)	Verification of the license from the jurisdiction in which the applicant has most recently been practicing during the time period the Iowa license was inactive, sent directly from the jurisdiction to the board office. The applicant must also disclose any public or pending complaints against the applicant in any other jurisdiction. Web-based verification may be substituted for verification from a jurisdiction’s board office if the verification includes:
	1.	Licensee’s name;
	2.	Date of initial licensure;
	3.	Current licensure status; and
	4.	Any disciplinary action taken against the license; and
	(2)	Verification of completion of:
	1.	For orthotists or prosthetists, 60 hours of continuing education within two years of application for reactivation.
	2.	For pedorthists, 40 hours of continuing education within two years of application for reactivation.
[ARC 1192C, IAB 11/27/13, effective 1/1/14; ARC 6994C, IAB 4/19/23, effective 5/24/23]
645—221.9(17A,147,272C) License reinstatement. A licensee whose license has been revoked, suspended, or voluntarily surrendered must apply for and receive reinstatement of the license in accordance with rule 645—11.31(272C) and must apply for and be granted reactivation of the license in accordance with rule 645—221.8(17A,147,272C) prior to practicing as an orthotist, a prosthetist, or a pedorthist in this state.
[ARC 1192C, IAB 11/27/13, effective 1/1/14]
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code chapters 17A, 147, 148F, and 272C.
[Filed ARC 1192C (Notice ARC 0942C, IAB 8/7/13), IAB 11/27/13, effective 1/1/14]
[Filed ARC 5768C (Notice ARC 5444C, IAB 2/24/21), IAB 7/14/21, effective 8/18/21]
[Filed ARC 6994C (Notice ARC 6653C, IAB 11/16/22), IAB 4/19/23, effective 5/24/23]