Scope of Practice

Pedorthists and their Designations

A pedorthist is an individual who is trained in the manufacturing, fitting and
modification of foot appliances and footwear to assist in:

• Alleviating painful or debilitating conditions of the lower limb;
• Accommodation of foot deformities;
• Re-alignment of anatomical structures;
• Redistribution of external and internal forces;
• Improvement of balance;
• Control of biomechanical function;
• Accommodation of circulatory special requirements; and,
• Enhancement of the actions of limbs compromised as a result of accident, congenital deformity, neural condition, or disease.

C Ped (C) - Certified Pedorthist Canada

These practitioners provide:

• Assessment through observation of surface anatomy and palpation of the limb,
  gait analyses, range-of-motion testing, footwear analysis and review of potentially complicated health factors;
• Casting, manufacturing, fitting and adjusting orthoses;
• Fitting and modifying standard and orthopaedic footwear;
• Accommodating/incorporating complementary assistive devices; and,
• Casting and measuring for custom footwear.

C Ped MC - Certified Pedorthic Master Craftsman

The highest level of certification available. Clinical pedorthists and a custom shoemakers who provide:

• All of the skills listed for a C Ped (C);
• Manufacturing custom orthopaedic footwear - including:
• Measuring, casting and making original shoe lasts;
• Designing and making upper patterns;
• Manufacturing fitting model of shoes; and,
• Lasting and finishing of custom shoes.

C Ped Tech (C) - Certified Pedorthic Technician Canada

These practitioners provide:

• Shoe fitting;
• Orthotic fabrication (from files produced by health care professionals with the ability to assess - such as a C Ped (C) or C Ped MC);
• Shoe modifications; and,
• May perform duties of a clinical pedorthist under the direct supervision of a Canadian Certified Pedorthist.

COFS- Certified Orthopaedic Footwear Specialist

       This is a closed membership category. Historically, COFS members were one of the founding groups that merged to create the Pedorthic Association of Canada. Recognizing the contribution COFS members have made to the pedorthic profession, The CPC verified their competency and has added the COFS category.

These practitioners provide:

• Assessment for orthotics and custom footwear
• Casting and measuring for custom footwear
• manufacturing of custom orthopaedic footwear, including:
• measuring, casting and making original shoe lasts
• designing and making upper patterns
• manufacturing fitting models of shoes
• lasting and finishing of custom shoes
• Casting, manufacturing, fitting and adjusting of orthoses
• Fitting and modifying standard and orthopaedic footwear
• Accommodating/incorporating complementary assistive devices