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1. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 American Society of Orthopedic Professionals

The mission of the American Society of Orthopedic Professionals (ASOP) is to enrich the quality of orthopedic

health care and to further promote the professional advancement throughout the orthopedic discipline.

ASOP is the largest professional trade organization within the field of orthopedic technology. In the last 15

years, ASOP has trained over 10,500 medical professionals, including orthopedic surgeons, physician assistants,

certified athletic trainers, orthotic fitters and other healthcare practitioners in the area of orthopedic casting

and bracing.

Since 2014, ASOP has actively worked alongside select athletic training programs as some of the first nationally

approved “ASOP Orthopedic Physician Extender” curriculums. The ASOP Orthopedic Physician Extender

Program consists of specialized didactic and laboratory instruction for athletic training students, faculty and

clinical preceptors that facilitates value-added credentialing as an Orthopedic Physician Extender (OPE-C).

1.2 American Society of Orthopedic Professionals - Mission

The American Society of Orthopedic Professionals will fulfill its mission by:

• Supporting career advancement through a validated certification process focused on office-based

orthopedic clinical procedures;

• Endorsing high standards of professional clinical competency by supporting its membership with

criteria and means for continuing education;

• Providing evidence-based research that is responsive to the musculoskeletal demands of the

orthopedic population;

• Being the primary advocate of the orthopedic technology profession for its legislative advancement

towards professional licensure;

• Exploring the opportunity to further develop professional opportunities for employment diversification

• Advocating the demand for the highest clinical standards, ethical decision-making and professionalism

of its membership.

1.3 Utilization of the Term: Orthopedic Physician Extender - Certified

ASOP and its Credentialing Department has instituted a policy that no individual shall utilize the “OPE-C”

designation unless (s)he has successfully completed the certification process. An OPE is a highly educated

healthcare specialist in the orthopedic set ting who works directly under the orthopedic physician in a guided,

supervised setting to provide: (1) Orthopedic Triage; (2) Orthopedic Examination & Clinical Assessment; (3)

Orthopedic Casting & Bracing, (4) Diagnostic Imaging Review/Intervention Support, and (4) Provide Patient

Education/Guidance.

1.4 Orthopedic Physician Extender Examination - Overview

The Orthopedic Physician Extender examination is a 125 question online, objective assessment comprised of

the knowledge and skills genuinely representative of the athletic trainer in the orthopedic setting. The OPE-C

will provide the marked designation needed to fully describe the practice credential possessed by the athletic

trainer in the orthopedic setting.

1.5 The Athletic Trainer (AT) and the OPE Certification

The orthopedic extender position for the athletic trainer continues to be a vast growth opportunity within the

profession. In today’s economy, professionals are always seeking an opportunity to continue their

marketability in the workforce, particularly the orthopedic setting. The educational background/preparation

of the athletic trainer continues to afford the AT a seamless transition within clinical orthopedics.

As such, previous data supports the considerable value the athletic trainer has on patient throughput, clinical

outcomes and patient satisfaction, as well as, the marked economic impact athletic trainers have in the

orthopedic setting.

1.5 Appropriate use of the OPE-C certification designation along with AT credential

There is a no question that consistency in the use of professional credentialing offsets any confusion or

misinterpretation. You should always list your academic credentials first, licensure and then professional

credentials at the end. For example, an athletic trainer with a master’s degree or doctorate along with

possessing state licensure should then be followed up with OPE-C designation.

Note: John Smith, PhD, ATC, OPE-C

2. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

2.1 General Requirements

Successful completion of the OPE credentialing exam will indicate the knowledge and skills in the following

competency areas within orthopedic practice: (1) Evidenced-based reasoning in the assessment and

management for specific musculoskeletal injury/pathology; (2) Appropriate fracture immobilization and

identifying the fundamental goals relative to patient care/safety; (3) Understanding of musculoskeletal imaging

and intervention strategies/techniques in orthopedic practice; (4) Knowledge of orthopedic healthcare

management practices, and (5) Professional considerations in orthopedic care.

In order to apply for the OPE certification, an individual must complete or have completed:

Professional Athletic Training program (BS/MS degree),

Post-professional Athletic Training Program,

Residency Athletic Training Program,

AT Clinical Doctoral Program

3. APPLICATION PROCESS

3.1 Application Process

All candidates can navigate through the online registration process and apply for the OPE examination. Click

here to submit an online application.

If you have any technical issues during the registration process, feel free to call us (727) 394-1700 or

asop.exam@gmail.com for additional assistance. Applicants are welcome to reference the video library for an

overview of the application registration process.

3.2 Procedures for Application Review

If you are enrolled in an Athletic Training Program that is also an “ASOP Approved OPE Program”, then your

program director/clinical education coordinator or faculty designee may verify your exam application and

endorse your continuation in the examination process. ASOP reserves the right to verify your academic

status/matriculation/graduation prior to allowing the applicant to move through the final exam registration

process.

Applicants will receive an email from the test administrator after completing the registration form and

processing your payment. Applicants should check their email and spam folder for communication on their

application status.

3.3 Payment Options for Processing OPE Exam Application

Applicants may register with either VISA, MasterCard, or DISCOVER through our secure payment processor.

Click here to submit an online application.

3.4 Policy regarding Refunds, Rescheduling exam, and/or Cancellations?

Refunds: If your application is not approved, you will obtain a full refund.

Requests for Refund: If you elect to cancel your exam registration and wish to receive a refund on your

application, you must contact the ASOP Credentialing Department asop.exam@gmail.com . As such, requests

for a refund must be received prior to starting the exam from within the exam portal. Requests received after

starting/attempting the exam will not be accepted. To apply for a future exam after cancelling or receiving an

initial application refund, you must submit a new application and pay full registration fee.

60-day Exam Termination: If you fail to complete the OPE exam with the 60-day window (from time of exam

portal registration and NOT time of payment processing or workshop date), your exam will be purged from

candidate portal and you will have to request repeat access.

3.5 Services for Persons with Disabilities

ASOP provides reasonable and appropriate accommodations in accordance with the Americans with

Disabilities Act for individuals with documented disabilities who demonstrate a need for accommodations.

It is the responsibility of the applicant with a disability to provide advance notice and appropriate

documentation of the disability with a request for test accommodations. If an applicant identifies functional

limitations or special needs that would prevent him or her from taking the certification exam under standard

testing conditions, ASOP will evaluate and respond to that applicant’s needs for special arrangements (i.e.,

time extension). Please contact the ASOP Credentialing Department asop.exam@gmail.com

The request for testing accommodations must include verification of the disabling condition from a

professional specializing in the relevant area and a description of the requested accommodation. Applicants

will be notified of the decision regarding the request and the accommodations that can be provided. If

accommodation is not requested in advance, availability of accommodation cannot be guaranteed.

Note: Certain testing accommodations may require shared cost with candidate.

4. PREPARATION AND TAKING THE EXAM

4.1 Exam Preparation

By completing or in the process of matriculating through an athletic training program, one cannot ask for a

more comprehensive education preparation for managing the disposition of the physically active individual.

You already have an exhaustive library of professional resources from your academic program in orthopedics.

However, when you register for the OPE certification examination, you will get full access to the private,

password protected candidate’s area. The OPE Candidate area is a full repository of educational resources

(textbooks, PowerPoint slides, videos) in select areas of orthopedic competency (casting, bracing, diagnostic

imaging, etc.). Lastly, there are select practice questions in the Orthopedic Physician Extender Certification

Candidate Guide.

4.2 Examination Format

The OPE certification examination is a 125 question online, objective assessment comprised of the knowledge

and skills genuinely representative of the athletic trainer in the orthopedic setting. Questions may consist of

the following: multiple-choice (single and multiple select) drag and drop, and matching questions that are

carefully designed, reviewed for correctness, and computer-scored. There is a four hour (4) time limit for

exam completion.

OPE examination questions have been developed by subject matter experts. Item performance is monitored

through psychometric analysis. All exam questions are selected to satisfy the test specifications of the exam

content analysis and are referenced to the preparatory materials in the private candidate area.

4.3 Getting access to Exam Portal/Platform

After email verification, candidates will have immediate access to the exam portal to take the exam. Please

refer to our video library for a review of the process. As such, candidates will receive an email that includes a

unique URL for accessing the exam portal.

Note: Candidates will have a 60-day window to complete exam window (from time of exam portal registration

and NOT time of payment processing or workshop date).

4.4 Navigating Portal towards Exam Completion

Once a candidate beings the exam, the four (4) hour time limit will start. Candidates may exit their browser

and re-enter the exam. However, the exam clock DOES NOT STOP once you start the exam!

4.5 Unsuccessful Attempt & Exam Re-takes

Candidates will have two (2) attempts to pass the OPE examination [70% pass point]. After a second

unsuccessful attempt, candidates must wait 30 days before attempting to retake the exam.

There is a $50 administrative re-processing fee to reset the candidate’s exam portal.

5. EXAM RESULTS

5.1 Exam Results and Notification

Candidates will receive an email notification of exam results upon completion. Additionally, candidates may

log into the exam portal and view results. Please refer to our video library for a review of the process.

Once the candidate hits “submit” after answering all the exam questions, the exam score instantaneously

appear inside the dashboard. Lastly, after receiving an email containing the final exam score and as a certified

member in good standing, the certificant will always have access to the exam portal.

5.2 Exam Portal Dashboard – Ongoing Access

A certified member in good status will always have access to the exam portal. ASOP is a BOC approved

provider to offer continuing education (p120), as such, certified members will ultimately complete and view all

continuing education courses through the exam portal.

5.3 Receipt of Certificate of Exam Completion

Upon successfully completing the OPE exam, an initial certificate can be downloaded (pdf) from the exam

portal. Please refer to our video library for a review of the process.

Additionally, the official OPE certificate that contains member name, certification #, date of completion will be

emailed to the candidate within two (2) weeks of submission.

5.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Those possessing the OPE-C credential must complete continuing education units (CEUs) through the reporting cycle. Please note, ASOP accepts CEU hours accumulated as an Athletic Trainer along with other medical healthcare related professional affiliations. The OPE-C reporting cycle aligns with CEU reporting as an Athletic Trainer. The next reporting cycle deadline will be December 31, 2019. The ASOP Continuing Education Committee will notify all OPE-C members when to access the CEU platform for verification upload. Please see below for more information.

Certification Year CEU Requirements/Renewal by Dec 31st 2019

ASOP Membership Renewal Fee

OPE-C Recertification Fee

2018 24 hours $100 $25

2019 12 hours $50 $25

asop.exam@gmail.com