HB255 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Ron Johnson
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Prosthetics and Orthotics Act, terms redefined, licensure or registration, application requirements, duties of board updated, maximum fees exceeded under certain conditions, Secs. 34-25A-3, 34-25A-5, 34-25A-7, 34-25A-12 am'd.; Act 2010-145, 2010 Reg. Sess. am'd.
Summary: HB255 updates Alabama's Prosthetics and Orthotics Act by redefining terms, tightening licensure rules, updating board duties, requiring facility accreditation, and allowing higher or new fees under certain conditions.
What This Bill Does
The bill redefines key terms used in prosthetics, orthotics, and pedorthics and adds new roles such as orthotic suppliers and mastectomy fitters. It changes licensure requirements by outlining multiple pathways to become licensed, establishing grandfather provisions and temporary licenses, and allowing licensure by substantial equivalence from other states. It expands the Alabama State Board of Prosthetists and Orthotists' duties (including continuing education, rulemaking, and credentialing processes) and creates registration/licensure for additional roles, with a detailed fee structure that can be adjusted under specific conditions.

Who It Affects
Licensed professionals (prosthetists, orthotists, pedorthists, prosthetist/orthotists, orthotic suppliers, mastectomy fitters, and related assistants) who must meet new licensure/registration requirements, pursue approved education paths, may obtain licenses without exams in some cases, and must comply with continuing education and fee rules.
Facilities and organizations involved in prosthetics/orthotics (accredited facilities, accredited pedorthic facilities, and orthotic suppliers) that must meet accreditation standards, maintain or obtain NCC A–recognized accreditation, and pay associated registration or accreditation fees.

Key Provisions
Defines and expands terms such as Accredited Facility, Accredited Pedorthic Facility, Orthotic Supplier, Mastectomy Fitter, Orthotist, Pedorthist, Prosthetist, and Prosthetics/Orthotics to guide licensing and practice.
Requires accreditation of facilities to meet national certifying standards (NCCA); existing facilities could become accredited by a specific date and nonaccredited facilities could cease providing care.
Multiple licensure pathways: (a) bachelor’s in orthotics/prosthetics with 1,900 supervised hours and board certification; (b) bachelor’s plus post-baccalaureate certificate and 1,900 supervised hours with board certification; (c) associate degree with relevant coursework and 4 years of supervised work with board certification; (d) eight years of recent practice with board certification, plus other board-approved criteria.
Grandfather provisions allow certain candidates to apply within the first year with specified credentials or practice history before full requirements apply; after that, applicants must meet one of the defined pathways.
Pedorthist licensure requirements, including citizenship/residency provisions and a one-year grandfather period with specific credentialing or practice requirements.
Registration for orthotic suppliers requires citizenship/authorization to work in the U.S., a formal application, and attestations of employment with an orthotics manufacturer; filings must be notarized by a corporate official.
Temporary licenses may be issued for up to 12 months to applicants awaiting examination, with renewal possible for an additional six months if exams are not passed on the first attempt.
Licensure by reciprocity is allowed if another state’s credentialing standards are substantially equivalent to Alabama’s.
Prohibits practicing or representing oneself as licensed without meeting licensure requirements and requires license posting; permits certain exemptions for government, students, or supervised settings within defined scopes.
Board duties include setting continuing education requirements, examining and licensing applicants, granting or denying licenses, and publishing rules; the board will also establish fees for licensure, accreditation, and related activities and may publish rules to regulate the practice and scope of licensed professionals.
A detailed fee schedule sets limits on application, licensure, accreditation, registration, and renewal fees, with allowances for late renewals and potential reductions for certain individuals (age, disability, retirement, or out-of-state practice).
Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Prosthetists and Orthotists, State Board of