BOC-COF study guide
BOC-COF · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Certified Orthotic Fitter (COF) credential from the Board of Certification/Accreditation, International (BOC) is a certification for professionals who fit orthotic devices. According to BOC, the COF designation is awarded on the basis of three requirements: completion of a required course of study, experience in patient care under appropriate supervision, and passing a three-hour multiple-choice examination offered four times each year in more than 150 cities. BOC states that it offers the only NCCA-accredited COF certification, and that its certifications span five disciplines: orthotics, prosthetics, pedorthics, orthotic fitting, and mastectomy fitting. BOC reports that COFs practice in hospitals, clinics, alongside orthotists, or independently, and that the streamlined requirements were intended to improve access to care where orthotic and prosthetic practitioners are scarce. BOC has retired the formerly mandatory video practical examination, concluding that the multiple-choice exam is a sufficient assessment tool, so candidates should prepare for a knowledge-based test rather than a filmed practical. To prepare, work through the fitting, measurement, device-selection, and patient-care content of your required course of study, review BOC's published exam study resources, and take practice questions under timed conditions. Topics on this exam: Orthotic Fitting. The BOC-COF study guide has 1 section and about 348 words.
01Orthotic Fitting: Patient Assessment, Measurement, and Device Selection
Orthotic fitting begins with verifying the prescription (device type, side, joints, straps, and any physician-specified modifications) and then assessing the patient. A candidate must understand dermatologic status (intact skin, scars, grafts, sensation), vascular status (pulses, temperature, capillary refill, edema), neurologic status (protective sensation, proprioception, spasticity, tone), joint range of motion and contractures, limb alignment and deformity, and functional goals (ambulation distance, transfers, sitting tolerance). Measure bilaterally and record landmarks consistently: limb circumference at defined levels, malleolar and knee widths, calf and thigh contours, and foot length and width. For footwear, measure in a weight-bearing position when possible, at the end of the day, and account for the longest toe.
348 words, about 2 minMore study resources for BOC-COF
- Practice questionsWhich measurement determines the width of a shoe last used with a custom foot orthosis?
- FlashcardsThree-point pressure system. An orthotic control principle using two forces on one side of a joint and one opposing force on the other side to limit or correct motion.
- Cheat sheetFit is assessed in three planes: alignment in the frontal plane, sagittal-plane angle of the shell or uprights, and rotational position checked from above and behind the patient.
- Key termsOrthosis. An externally applied device worn on the body to support, align, correct, protect, or assist a body segment, used to improve function or reduce pain.
- Study planMap the full Orthotic Fitting domain outline into a written topic checklist with every subtopic listed.
- Common mistakesShoe sizing systems are inconsistent across brands and countries, and a stated size reflects the shoe's last rather than the foot's actual dimensions, so the candidate substitutes a familiar label for the required measurement.
- Exam-day guideBring the exact form of identification named in your admission or scheduling confirmation.