OPC Internationally Educated Pathway (IEP)

If you are Certified by the American Board for Certification of Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics (ABC), please click here.

If not, please continue below.

OPC's policy for Internationally Educated Applicants to Orthotic or Prosthetic Residencies was updated in December 2025. All new applicants to this pathway are subject to the updated policies. Please click here to review the policy in full. The following information outlines the requirements for internationally educated applicants seeking an Orthotic or Prosthetic Residency in Canada. The Residency program is required as part of the credentialing process to become a Canadian Certified clinician. 

 

The purpose of the process to qualify internationally educated individuals falls within OPC’s regulatory responsibilities. OPC has a legislated and ethical mandate to protect the public by ensuring that all individuals entering the profession in Canada meet the established standards of competence, professionalism, and ethical conduct. The Internationally Educated policy applies to all individuals who have obtained their primary education and training in Prosthetics and/or Orthotics outside of Canada and the provisions of the policy apply in conjunction with all other OPC policies, procedures, and standards governing admission to residency, professional certification, and registration to practice. Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all internationally educated applicants prior to commencing a residency in Canada. 

To be considered for entry into an OPC-accredited Residency Program, internationally educated applicants must submit the following documentation:

• Application Form and Payment
• Proof of Education, in the form of:

1. A valid ISPO Certificate of Completion of a Prosthetist/Orthotist Education Program, if applicable, OR
2. An academic transcript AND assessment of education results (e.g. WES evaluation report)

• Proof of clinical experience
• Proof of language proficiency 
• Proof of citizenship or eligibility to work in Canada -

Click Here To Start Your Application

 

Academic Qualifications

Applicants must hold an academic qualification in orthotics and/or prosthetics from a recognized institution that is equivalent in level and scope to an OPC Accredited Program. Equivalency may be demonstrated through one of the following options:

 

1. ISPO-Accredited Program: Completion of an International Society for Prosthetics  and Orthotics Prosthetist/Orthotist program with valid ISPO certificate.
2. Non-ISPO-Accredited Program:  Applicants must have their credentials assessed through a recognized credential evaluation service, such as the  World Education Services (WES), to confirm comparability to Canadian standards. -

 

Experiential Qualifications

Applicants must provide documented evidence of a minimum of two (2) years of clinical experience in orthotics and/or prosthetics that includes direct, hands-on participation in patient care. This experience should demonstrate active involvement in the assessment, design, fabrication, fitting, and follow-up of orthotic and/or prosthetic devices under appropriate professional supervision. Evidence may include work logs, employment documents, and letters of support from educators/employers. -

 

Language Proficiency

Applicants must meet language proficiency requirements by achieving the minimum scores on one of the following accepted tests: 

 

• IELTS (Academic): Minimum score of  7.0 in each of the four components.
• OET (Medicine): Minimum grade of B in each subset.
• CELPIP (General): Minimum score of 9 in each component.

 

Supporting Documentation

Applicants must provide official documentation of their education, clinical training, and professional experience. All documents must be translated into English or French, as required by OPC. If translated, original versions must also be provided for verification purposes.

 

Compliance with OPC Policies

Applicants must comply with all applicable OPC policies related to ethics, professional conduct, and registration processes prior to commencing the Residency program.

 

Demonstration of Competency

Applicants must demonstrate competency in the theoretical and practical foundations of orthotic and prosthetic practice, as determined through successful completion of the Entrance to Residency Examination (more information below). -

 

Proof of Legal Eligibility to Work in Canada (Upon Approval)

If approved through this pathway, applicants must provide proof of their legal eligibility to work in Canada prior to commencing their Residency in Orthotics or Prosthetics. This may include a valid work permit, a study permit with work authorization, or other documentation issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all required authorizations are obtained and remain valid for the duration of the Residency Program.

 

Applicants who do not meet these criteria may be required to complete additional academic coursework, clinical training, or other remedial measures as specified by OPC to achieve equivalency.  Until equivalency is met, the candidate is not eligible to enter the Residency.

 

Entrance to Residency Exam

If your application meets the above eligibility requirements and is approved by OPC, you will be required to challenge the Entrance to Residency Examination. Each candidate has a maximum of three attempts to pass the ETR Exam in their discipline of choice. Candidates will only be permitted to begin a Residency with OPC once their Internationally Educated application is approved and they have passed the ETR Exam.

 

Application and ETR Exam Fees

Internationally Educated Application Fee: $300

This fee covers review of an application through OPC's pathway for Internationally Educated Applicants and the submission of an ETR exam application form if accepted through the pathway. 

 

Exam Fee: $300

This fee covers one exam sitting and must be paid for each attempt at the ETR exam. This is required to be paid prior to the sitting of each exam attempt.