SB457 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mark Slade Blackwell

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

SB457 would redefine terms in the Prosthetics and Orthotics Act, update licensure/registration requirements and board duties, and allow higher fees in late renewals.

What This Bill Does

It changes key definitions and accreditation rules for facilities, expands licensure pathways for prosthetists, orthotists, pedorthists, and related roles, and updates how the board regulates licenses, registrations, and accreditation. It requires continuing education for license renewals, sets specific fee caps (with exceptions for late renewals), and allows reciprocity with substantially equivalent out-of-state credentials. It also outlines temporary licenses and grandfather provisions for certain applicants and sets enforcement measures to ensure only licensed individuals provide these services.

Who It Affects

• Prospective and current prosthetics/orthotics professionals (prosthetists, orthotists, pedorthists, prosthetist/orthotists, orthotic suppliers) who must meet new licensure pathways, possible grandfathering, temporary licenses, and foreign or non-traditional credential routes.
• Accredited facilities, pedorthic facilities, orthotic suppliers, and educational/training programs that must meet board accreditation standards, maintain equipment requirements, and comply with board duties and fee structures.

Key Provisions

• Redefines terms such as Accredited Facility, Accredited Pedorthic Facility, Mastectomy Fitter, Orthotic Supplier, Orthotist, Pedorthist, Prosthetist, Prosthetist/Orthotist, and related roles, tying accreditation to NCC accreditation by recognized certifying bodies.
• Adds licensure pathways for prosthetists, orthotists, pedorthists, prosthetist/orthotists, and orthotic suppliers based on degrees (bachelor's/associate), supervised hours (up to 1,900 per discipline), and national board certification, with a temporary license option for up to 12 months (renewable once for six months).
• Allows license reciprocity from other U.S. states if their credentialing standards are substantially equivalent; includes grandfather provisions for certain pre-existing credentials and practice histories.
• Requires the board to establish continuing education requirements and to handle examinations, licensure decisions, examinations, and rulemaking; coordinates scope of practice with the State Board of Medical Examiners and oversees examinations and staff.
• Imposes fee structures with caps for applications, registrations, renewals, and accreditation (e.g., up to $250 for licensure applications per discipline, $150 for orthotic supplier registrations, $350 per facility for accreditation, $950 for licensure per discipline, $350 per registration/renewal, and up to $500 per assistant-related license), while allowing exceptions to these maximums for late renewal fees and certain other conditions.
• Requires facilities to meet accreditation standards, with NCC accreditation; existing facilities may become accredited by July 1, 2004; non-accredited facilities must cease providing prosthetic/orthotic care.
• Specifies that the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Prosthetists and Orthotists, State Board of