Orthotists and Prosthetists
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The Orthotists and Prosthetists program regulates orthotists and prosthetists, orthotic and prosthetic assistants, students, and technicians, and orthotic and prosthetic facilities. A license is required to provide orthotic and prosthetic services in Texas, unless an individual or facility is exempted by law.
Orthotic and Prosthetic services comprise the science and practice of measuring, designing, fabricating, assembling, fitting, adjusting, or servicing an orthosis or prosthesis for the correction or alleviation of a neuromuscular or musculoskeletal dysfunction, disease, injury, or deformity.
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News and Updates
TDLR Health Monitor – February 2023 Edition
February 24, 2023
Articles in the February 2023 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:
- Legislative Update
- Annual Health Professions Report Published
- Texas Massage Therapist Examination Now Available
- Meet TDLR Staff At Upcoming Conferences
Commission Adopts Rules
January 13, 2023
The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted amendments to an existing rule at 16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 114, §114.29, regarding the Orthotists and Prosthetists program. The adopted amendments implement the portions of House Bill 1560, 87th Legislature, Regular Session (2021), requiring the Department to adopt a risk-based inspection policy. Notably, the adopted amendments remove periodic inspections from the program.
The adoption justification was published in the January 6, 2023, issue of the Texas Register (48 TexReg 42) and is available online. The updated rule chapter will be available on the Secretary of State website upon its effective date of January 15, 2023.
Commission Adopts Rules
January 12, 2023
The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted amendments to an existing rule at 16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 114, §114.50, regarding the Orthotists and Prosthetists program. The adopted amendments expand the categories of activities eligible for continuing education (CE) credit by allowing licensees to claim up to one hour of CE credit per renewal period for completing the human trafficking prevention training required by Occupations Code, Chapter 116, and up to one hour CE credit per renewal period for completing the jurisprudence examination required for initial licensure by Department rules.
The adoption justification was published in the January 6, 2023, issue of the Texas Register(48 TexReg 43) and is available online. The updated rule chapter will be available on the Secretary of State websiteupon its effective date of January 15, 2023.
TDLR Health Monitor – October 2022 Edition
October 20, 2022
Articles in the October 2022 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:
- Raising Awareness in October For Audiology, Dyslexia and Massage Therapy
- Proposed Rule Amendments For Orthotists and Prosthetists
- Podiatry Applications Now Available Online
- Test Proctors Needed For HFD Exams
Proposed Rule Changes
September 19, 2022
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (Department) proposes amendments to an existing rule at 16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 114, §114.50 regarding the Orthotists and Prosthetists program. The proposed amendments permit licensed orthotists and prosthetists to claim continuing education credit for completing the human trafficking prevention training required by Occupations Code, Chapter 116, and the jurisprudence examination required for initial licensure by Department rules.
The proposed rule was published in the September 16, 2022, issue of the Texas Register 47 TexReg 5564. The Department will accept comments on the proposal until Monday, October 17, 2022.
The Department encourages anyone interested in the Orthotists and Prosthetists program to review the rule proposal online. Comments may be submitted electronically on the Department’s website.
TDLR Implements New Inspection Form
July 27, 2022
TDLR Field Inspections Implements New Inspection Form
To better serve you and increase our efficiency, TDLR’s Field Inspections division is implementing a new system that our inspectors will use to track their inspections electronically instead of using paper forms. This new method, which we’re calling “eInspections,” will allow us to better serve you, increase our efficiency and standardize the data we collect for each inspection.
What changes can I expect during my next inspection?
We currently provide you with a copy of your inspection results, using a paper Proof of Inspection form. As you probably know, the information on the form is handwritten and can sometimes be hard to read.
With eInspections, our inspectors will email you an electronic copy of your inspection results. The information will be typed and easy to read, helping to make sure that you know what corrective actions you need to take.
What do I need to do?
You’ll need to have an email address where we can send you the results of the inspection. Please visit Online Licensing Services - TDLR (texas.gov) and go to the Change Your Address section to update your contact information, including a business email address.
If you do not have an email address on file when we inspect your business, your inspector will ask you to provide an email address when they arrive for the inspection. Please be prepared to provide a business email address to your inspector.
Commission Adopts Rules
June 29, 2022
The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted amendments to an existing rule at 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 114, §114.69, regarding the Orthotists and Prosthetists program. The adopted rule makes the necessary rule changes for the Orthotists and Prosthetists program to align the program rules with the advisory board changes made by House Bill 1560, 87th Legislature, Regular Session (2021), the Sunset legislation for the Department.
The adoption justification was published in the June 24, 2022, issue of the Texas Register (47 TexReg 3676) and is available online. The updated rule chapter will be available on the Secretary of State website upon its effective date of July 1, 2022.
TDLR Health Monitor – June 2022 Edition
June 24, 2022
Articles in the June 2022 edition of The Health Monitor includes updates on:
- Recent Rule Amendments
- Updated Massage Therapy Consultation Document
- Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Deficiency Plan
- Hear Her Texas
Beware Of People Posing As TDLR Inspectors
April 26, 2022
Inspectors for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation will never request or accept money under any circumstances while calling, visiting or conducting an inspection.
Real TDLR inspectors will:
- introduce themselves;
- show their State of Texas employee ID card;
- provide their contact information upon request; and
- provide their TDLR business card upon request.
Real TDLR inspectors cannot and will not:
- accept payment for license fees;
- request money for violations; or
- charge for inspections.
If someone posing as a TDLR employee approaches or calls you, please contact TDLR and law enforcement immediately. Impersonating a public servant is a third-degree felony in Texas.
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Continuing Education Requirements
October 25, 2021
HB 1560, the Sunset legislation for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, repealed Occupations Code §605.261 from the Orthotists and Prosthetists statute, and transferred authority regarding the continuing education requirements to TDLR’s enabling statute, Chapter 51 of the Texas Occupations Code.
Please note that no changes were made, and Orthotists and Prosthetists program licensees are still required to obtain continuing education (CE) credits as specified in the program rules.
Call for Subject Matter Experts
October 22, 2021
TDLR is seeking subject matter experts (SMEs) to assist our Enforcement Division with complaint case reviews. SMEs review complaint cases, generally involving standard of care issues, during the investigation stage of the enforcement process.
If you are interested in becoming a SME, please complete the Expert Witness Application. Once the application is submitted, you will receive a questionnaire to complete and return. Documents are screened and contracts are issued to approved SMEs.
All SMEs receive training on their role in reviewing complaint cases. Tasks may include the following:
- Reviewing documents and statements collected by investigators.
- Writing a report stating an opinion as to whether the respondent violated a rule or law in the provision of care to a client.
- Answering specific questions from the prosecutor about the case.
- Testifying as a witness for TDLR at hearings.
Our mission is to protect the citizens of Texas and the hard-working members of your profession. We cannot do that without your specialized knowledge of the complexities of your profession. Please consider becoming a SME today.
Notice to prospective licensees, current licensees renewing their licenses, and stakeholders
December 4, 2020
Applicants can apply for new licenses and renew licenses online. TDLR strongly encourages you to take advantage of the opportunity to apply or renew online. The process is secure and easy to use – and faster than submitting paper-based applications and supporting documents, especially as TDLR deals with significant staffing issues related to COVID-19.
- Applications submitted online can take 30 days to process once TDLR receives all required documents.
- Applications submitted by mail may face significant delays, which may take up to 90 days once TDLR receives all required documents.
Access the online licensing system here. If you need to submit a document outside of the online application, please scan the document and send it to TDLR using our online customer service form.
If you need to submit a transcript, please ask your university to send electronic transcripts to TDLR at cs.transcript@tdlr.texas.gov instead of mailing in an original or certified copy of an original transcript. If your need to submit other documents, such as receipt of fingerprint submission, please scan the document and send it electronically to TDLR using our Customer Service form.
Thank you for helping us process your application or renewal more quickly.
Human Trafficking Training Requirement
House Bill 2059 requires certain health care practitioners to complete a Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) approved human trafficking prevention training course to renew their license. The bill also requires HHSC to post a list of approved courses on their website. Licensees are required to comply with the training requirements beginning September 1, 2020. For more information, visit our Human Trafficking Prevention Training for Health Care Practitioners webpage.
Guidance Statement on TDI Rules Related to “Surprise” or “Balance Billing”
December 18, 2019
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has adopted emergency rules interpreting Senate Bill (SB) 1264’s prohibitions related to “surprise billing” (or “balance billing”). This Guidance Statement is intended to provide clear information concerning SB 1264 to Texas patients, clients, and health care providers under the regulatory authority of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
SB 1264 prohibits surprise billing, with certain exceptions. Health care providers under TDLR’s regulatory authority who seek to exercise the exceptions to SB 1264’s prohibitions against balance billing must comply with all provisions of SB 1264, including as interpreted by TDI rules. See the TDI SB 1264 webpage for additional information. SB 1264 applies to a health care or medical service or supply provided on or after January 1, 2020.
TDLR will be responsible for investigating complaints and taking disciplinary action against TDLR licensees for violations of SB 1264, including as interpreted by TDI rules. Any person who believes that a TDLR-licensed health care provider has committed a balance billing-related violation may file a complaint online with TDLR. Additionally, TDLR and TDI will work together to ensure that any complaints filed with TDI regarding TDLR licensees will be referred to TDLR and investigated.
TDLR will be working on the development of enforcement rules consistent with SB 1264 and TDI’s rules interpreting the statute. As rulemaking moves ahead, we look forward to a transparent process and engaging the public and stakeholders on this important issue.
Inspection Information for Owners and Practitioners-in-Charge of Orthotic and Prosthetic Facilities
March 30, 2017
Rules reviewed by the Orthotists and Prosthetists Advisory Board and approved by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation require that Orthotic and Prosthetic facilities be inspected once every two years. Inspectors from TDLR’s Field Operations Division will perform unscheduled inspections during your regular business hours beginning in March 2017.
Inspectors will check that your accredited facility is complying with the sanitation, safety, record-keeping and licensing requirements of the law and rules. Inspectors will explain in detail any violations that are noted, what corrective actions to take, and give you a chance to ask questions.
Inspection results fall into one of the following three categories:
- No Corrections Needed – No action required. Your facility is in compliance.
- Corrections Needed – Make corrections within 10 days of the inspection date.
- Violations Sent to Enforcement – Make corrections within 10 days of the inspection date. In addition, a representative of the Enforcement Division may contact you regarding the violations.
During this first round of inspections, only very serious violations, such as unlicensed activity, will be referred to the Enforcement Division. Inspectors will use an Orthotic and Prosthetic Facilities Reference Guide to help them perform inspections. The Orthotic and Prosthetic Facilities Reference Guide (393kb PDF) is available online.
Advisory Board Meetings
October 24, 2022
The Orthotists and Prosthetists Advisory Board met October 24, 2022 via videoconference. The meeting was archived and is available on TDLR’s YouTube channel. The agenda and staff reports are available online.