OTC Certification 2025
Orthopaedic technologists are trained in the application of casts, splints and braces. They also assist surgeons during surgical procedures. They can work in a hospital, healthcare facility or a specialized orthopaedic clinic.
The most common certification for this job is Medical Assistant. This certification doesn’t require much education or experience, and it is renewed every year.
OTC Certification Programs
To become an Orthopaedic Technologist Certified, you need to have a number of certifications. These include medical assistant, orthopedic technician and registered orthopedist (ROT). You also need to have a high school diploma and two years of experience working in an orthopedic office. These skills will allow you to assist physicians in a clinic setting and provide patient care.
An Orthopedic Cast Technician provides musculoskeletal patient care in an ambulatory clinic setting under the direct supervision of a licensed physician. This includes fabricating, applying and removing upper and lower extremity casts; working with traction; performing basic and complex dressing changes; measuring and fitting patients for braces and other orthopedic devices; and assisting with patient education. The technician also performs clerical, insurance and medical records functions.
The NBCOT Orthopaedic Technologist Certified exam contains 165 multiple-choice questions, 15 of which are unscored “pretest” questions. The exam takes three hours to complete, and the score is determined by the number of correct responses. The NBCOT offers a range of preparatory tools to help you prepare for the Orthopaedic Technologist Certified certification exam. These include study guides, practice questions and a mock exam. These study materials are guaranteed to raise your score on the exam.
OTC Final Exam Schedule
A registered orthopaedic technologist works with an orthopedic surgeon to treat patients suffering from injuries involving bones and joints. Their duties include applying, adjusting and removing casts and splints, fitting braces to injured patients, and educating them on how to use support and immobilization devices. They also assist surgeons during operative procedures. Often, they work in hospitals or specialized clinics.
The certification exam is offered by the National Board for Certification of Orthopaedic Technologists (NBCOT). Individuals who are interested in taking this exam can apply by submitting an application to the NBCOT office. There are several eligibility routes to take the certification exam, including completing a structured orthopaedic program or having two years of experience in a supervised orthopaedic setting.
A candidate can retake the registry exam up to three times, as long as they pay the required fees and meet the eligibility requirements. However, they must wait six months between each attempt. The exam is designed to measure an individual’s ability to demonstrate their knowledge of orthopaedic conditions, which include fractures (types, complications, healing); dislocations; and the treatment of each of these conditions.
Registered Orthopaedic Technologist
The orthopaedic technician certification is a professional credential that is offered by the National Board for Certification of Orthopaedic Technologists. This exam tests an individual’s knowledge of orthopedic applications and surgery procedures. The certification is available to anyone who has worked as a professional orthopaedic technician for at least two years. The certification is usually renewed every year.
NHTI’s accredited Orthopedic Technology certificate program prepares students to assist physicians in a variety of health care settings. This includes hospitals, private practice clinics, and specialized orthopaedic offices. The program prepares students to perform a wide range of patient-care tasks, including administering medications and assessing patients’ needs. It also prepares students to apply, adjust, and remove casts and splints and work with traction configurations.
Other job duties include preparing surgical equipment and assisting doctors during procedures. In addition to casting and splinting, orthopaedic technologist work involves fitting braces and other support devices to help patients heal from injuries to bones and joints. Depending on the location of their employer, these professionals may also be involved in other medical treatments, such as aspiration and injections.
OTC Exam Questions
The Orthopaedic Technologist exam is a challenging test to pass, but it is possible with the right preparation. The most important thing to remember is that you must not simply memorize the answers to the sample questions. Instead, study the concepts until you fully understand them. This will help you to answer any question that may be asked on the actual exam.
NHTI’s orthopaedic technology program is one of the only seven in New England and offers a unique blend of on-campus courses, lab training, and hands-on clinical externships throughout the region. Students learn the art of casting and splinting broken bones and muscular injuries. They also take anatomy and physiology courses, and get exposure to patient care. Our top-rated Orthopedic Surgery board review practice question bank divides questions by topics, so you can target areas where you are struggling.
OTC Exam Study Guide
While orthopedic technologists can work without certification, earning credentials is a good way to show employers that you’re competent and committed. Certification is administered by the National Board for Certification of Orthopaedic Technologists, or NBCOT. There are two separate certificates: the Orthopaedic Technologist Certified, or OTC, is for those who focus on splinting and casting, while the Surgical Orthopaedic Technologist Certified, which is abbreviated as OT-SC, is for those who also assist with surgeries.
Most aspiring orthopedic technicians attend a school that offers a two-year associate degree in the field, though some employers prefer candidates with a two-year bachelor’s degree. Many programs include externships and clinical rotations, which are essential for on-the-job training.
There are several routes to eligibility for the NBCOT Orthopaedic Technician Certified exam, and the route you choose will change how you apply. For example, if you take the route A, you must graduate from a program that is accredited by the National Association of Orthopaedic Technologists (NAOT). The other routes allow you to use on-the-job experience or other comparable training instead.
Canadian Society Of Orthopaedic Technologist
The Canadian Society of Orthopaedic Technologists (CSOT) is the professional organization for orthopaedic technicians in Canada. Its members are registered orthopaedic technologists who have successfully passed the written, oral and practical exam of CSOT. They also have experience working in the Orthopaedic Fracture Clinic and Cast Room of a hospital. The CSOT has three categories of membership: Full Member, Trainee/Apprentice and Student. Full membership is available to persons who are gainfully employed and actively working in the Orthopaedic Fracture clinic, emergency room and/or cast rooms of a hospital for at least one full year and have had sponsorship from an Orthopaedic Surgeon.
NHTI offers an accredited program in orthopaedic technology that prepares students to work alongside orthopedic doctors as they apply and adjust casts, splints and braces; set up and adjust traction configurations; and perform other duties related to the reduction and manipulation of orthopaedic injuries. This program includes on-campus labs, hands-on clinical externships and course material taught by industry professionals. The program is financial aid eligible. NHTI’s orthopaedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Proven Orthopaedic Technician Certification Study Guide test flashcards raise your score on the CSOT Exam.
Orthopaedic Technologist Certified Jobs
Orthopedic technicians work in hospitals and clinics assisting orthopedic surgeons. Their responsibilities include applying casts, splints, and braces to patients with broken bones. They also assist during surgery and care for patients afterward. They must have good interpersonal skills to interact with patients. They must be able to stand, walk, lift and bend at least 75 pounds when handling patients and equipment.
Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED certificate. They must pass a background check and drug screen before starting their job. They must also have a valid driver’s license. In addition, they must be current with Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.
This program prepares students to become a certified Orthopedic Technician. The National Board for Certification of Orthopaedic Technologists uses a role delineation study to develop the exam, which is based on a description of what an orthopaedic technologist does. The NBCOT reviews the role delineation study periodically to ensure that it continues to reflect the duties and responsibilities of an Orthopaedic Technologist. Duke is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce.
Orthopaedic Technologist Salary
As the baby boomers age, the need for orthopedic braces and footwear will increase. This demand should create more jobs for orthopaedic techs. However, many of these positions are not permanent. It’s important to find a job with an employer who offers benefits and a good salary.
In general, a well-trained Orthopedic Technician can perform many tasks such as applying and removing casts, splints, and dressings; preparing patients for surgery; arranging and adjusting traction configurations; setting up and modifying ambulatory devices; examining, measuring, and weighing patients; and assisting the physician. They also provide patient education and support.
According to a recent survey, orthopedists are very satisfied with their work. The majority credited their relationships with and gratitude from their patients as the most rewarding aspect of their career. Others cited the satisfaction of finding answers and diagnoses as the most satisfying part of their job. This is consistent with the high levels of job and specialty satisfaction reported by physicians overall.
OTC Question and Answers
The average annual salary for an Orthopaedic Technologist in the United States is $37,841 as of May 20, 2025.
An orthopaedic technologist, also known as an orthopaedic technician, supports a physician in the treatment of patients who have bone or joint injuries.
To become a certified orthopaedic technologist, you must have a degree, professional certification, and the interpersonal skills to communicate with patients, physicians, and other healthcare providers. You can begin your career in this industry by earning an associate degree in orthopaedic technology or related field.
An athletic trainer may need to finish further orthopaedic education and training to become an orthopaedic technologist. Completing a certificate or degree program in orthopaedic technology could entail studying anatomy, physiology, orthopaedic injuries, surgical methods, and medical terminology.