To become a pedorthist, you will likely have to enroll in an accredited pedorthics school and complete a program designed to provide the knowledge you'll need to succeed in this career. Following the completion of these courses, you will usually have to participate in a training program to gain pedorthics experience. This can require a significant time commitment, as many certifying agencies require you to finish 1,000 hours of training before you can take the pedorthist certification exam. Finally, upon passing this multiple-choice exam, you will receive certification as a pedorthist.
When you want to become a pedorthist, your first step will likely be finishing high school or earning a General Educational Development® (GED®) diploma, and some jurisdictions may require a bachelor's degree as well. With such credentials in hand, you will then have to enroll in pedorthist courses to prepare you for this career. Such courses provide you with specialized knowledge of how to fit shoes and other types of foot wear as well as instruct you on the design and creation of orthotics, which are devices that correct limb position and function for the lower extremities. In most cases, you will learn about shoe making and how to modify shoes as well. Additionally, the courses you take may prepare you for managing your own practice once you become a pedorthist.
While many pedorthist programs involve classroom-based learning, you might also have the opportunity to learn in different formats. For example, you may find some programs that include a component of online learning in the program. This will provide you with the opportunity to learn at least some of the required material at your own pace. It might also make fitting classes into your schedule easier, as Internet-based classes probably won't require you to be present at specific times.
After completing the pedorthist courses that are required in your jurisdiction, you will likely need training as well. This training typically is completed under the direction and supervision of an experienced, certified pedorthist. The goal of this training is to give you hands-on experience you can use when you take the certification exam to become a pedorthist as well as throughout your career.
Depending on the jurisdiction in which you live, you may have to take an examination to become certified or licensed as a pedorthist. In many places, you will only become eligible for this examination after you have completed many hours of training. In some jurisdictions, for example, you'll need a minimum of 1,000 hours of training before you will qualify to take your jurisdiction's certification exam. The exam usually consists of multiple-choice questions that are intended to assess your skills and knowledge as they pertain to assessing patient needs and creating and implementing a plan specific to the patient. The exam you take may also test you in such areas as ethics and the management of a pedorthist practice.
