National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education NCOPE

Overview

The National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that serves as the specialized accrediting body for education and residency programs in orthotics and prosthetics. Established in 1972, NCOPE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and plays a crucial role in maintaining high standards in orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) education and clinical training. According to uniRank, NCOPE plays an important role in ensuring the quality of education and practice in the field.

Historical and Legal Framework

NCOPE originated in 1972 when the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) established the Educational Accreditation Commission (EAC) to develop institutional accreditation for O&P programs. In 1991, it became an independent entity under a national office structure, and in December 1999 it was incorporated as a fully independent accreditation agency, separate from professional organizations such as the ABC, AAOP, and AOPA.

Mission, Vision, and Objectives in Higher Education

NCOPE’s mission is to create, uphold, and advance rigorous educational standards to develop highly skilled orthotic and prosthetic professionals. Its vision focuses on promoting excellence in education and training to inspire and empower future O&P professionals.

• Set and maintain high-quality educational and clinical standards for O&P programs.
• Facilitate continuous improvement and sustainability of academic and residency training.
• Bridge academia, research, clinical practice, and technical communities to strengthen workforce development.
• Support data-driven accreditation and quality assurance processes to elevate the profession.

Governance, Structure, and Independence

NCOPE operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It functions as the Committee on Accreditation (CoA) within the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) framework. Governance is vested in a ten-to-twelve-member Board of Commissioners comprised of O&P educators, practitioners certified by ABC, and public members. The Board includes a non-voting Executive Director and is structured with several committees, including Executive, Nominations, and Finance, ensuring independent and sector-representative decision-making.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation in Higher Education

NCOPE accredits both academic and clinical residency programs in O&P. As the sponsoring CoA in partnership with CAAHEP, NCOPE:

• Develops and updates accreditation standards and guidelines.
• Manages accreditation through self-studies, site visits, and reviews.
• Recognizes candidate, initial, continuing, and probationary accreditation statuses.
• Supports continuous improvement through program reviews, progress reports, and quality enhancement tools.

Its accreditation ensures that graduates are competent practitioners prepared for certification, licensure, and professional practice in O&P.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

While NCOPE’s primary focus is domestic accreditation, it aligns its standards with international benchmarks and collaborates with global organizations such as ISPO (International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics). Its cooperation through CAAHEP also connects it with other allied health accrediting bodies, promoting best practices internationally.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

NCOPE continues to shape higher education by defining national standards for O&P education and residency. Its rigorous accreditation ensures the readiness of graduates for certification and clinical practice. Moving forward, NCOPE is updating standards (notably the 2025 standards), enhancing residency training quality, promoting mentorship development, and increasing the diversity and reach of O&P educational pathways.

Summary

The National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education is a pivotal accrediting body that ensures the quality and integrity of orthotics and prosthetics education and clinical training in the United States. Through its nonprofit, independent accreditation system and strategic collaborations, NCOPE safeguards the competency of O&P professionals and supports continual advancement in education and patient care within the field.

FAQs

1. What is NCOPE?

   NCOPE is a nonprofit accrediting organization overseeing orthotic and prosthetic education and residency programs in the U.S.

2. When was NCOPE founded?

   NCOPE began in 1972, originating as the Educational Accreditation Commission, and became fully independent in 1999.

3. What does NCOPE do?

   NCOPE develops education standards, accredits O&P academic and residency programs, and promotes continuous quality improvement.

4. How is NCOPE governed?

   NCOPE is governed by a Board of Commissioners, including educators, practitioners, and public members, operating independently under CAAHEP’s CoA framework.

5. Who accredits O&P programs?

   NCOPE serves as the Committee on Accreditation (CoA) in partnership with CAAHEP to accredit orthotist/prosthetist, technician, and assistant programs.

6. What is the impact of NCOPE accreditation?

   Accreditation by NCOPE ensures programs meet national standards, preparing graduates for certification, licensure, and professional success.

Organization Name

National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education

Acronym

NCOPE

Year of Establishment

1/01/1972

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

John Carlyle Street 330, Suite 200
Alexandria
22314 Virginia United States

Phone

+1 (703) 836 7114

Fax

+1 (703) 836 0838

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education's Facebook page

X (Twitter)

National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education's X page

LinkedIn

Not available

YouTube

Not available

Instagram

National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education's Instagram page

Wikipedia Article

Not available

Unlock your University's potential: spotlight your Institution on UniRank for leads, local recognition and branding. Enquiry now to feature your University here.

Explore other US higher education-related organizations and authorities.

Find top-ranked Universities in the United States.

Search for courses and scholarships with the uniRank World Universities Search Engine.