Independent pedorthics course · Study & exam preparation
The Pedorthic Atlas Course
A complete independent course of study for anyone preparing for the ABC Certified Pedorthist (C.Ped.) examination: 120-hour program — 80 hours of didactic instruction online across 20 modules (aligned to the textbook Pedorthic Atlas) plus the 40-hour in-person laboratory — with module quizzes and a comprehensive final examination.
Program statusPedorthic Atlas is an independent study program. It is not an ABC-approved pre-certification course, and completing it does not by itself satisfy ABC’s pre-certification education requirement — verify the current approved-course list at abcop.org before enrolling for that purpose. The study app and course content are open to anyone either way.
What the course includes
Didactic (online)80 hours · 20 modules
In-person lab40 hours · fabrication & casting
Final exam80% to pass · module quizzes gate it
Total program120 hours · 80 + 40 lab
Question bank210+ with rationales
CertificateSoon enrollment not yet open
Who it’s for
Aspiring pedorthists
Anyone preparing for the 165-item, five-domain ABC Certified Pedorthist examination.
Practicing pedorthists & fitters
A structured refresher and clinical reference on anatomy, biomechanics, footwear, orthoses, casting, coding, and practice management.
Pathway to certification
1Meet ABC’s basics. A high school diploma, GED certificate, or college degree, and completion of an ABC-approved pedorthic education course.
2Complete the 80-hour didactic course. Work all 20 modules (196 lessons) and pass each module quiz. This is the didactic portion of the 120-hour program.
3Pass the final examination at 80% or better — the didactic assessment, gated on completing every module.
4Complete the 40-hour in-person lab. ABC pedorthic pre-certification requires 40 hours of in-person laboratory (fabrication and casting) in addition to the 80 didactic hours; online delivery is not permitted. Next session: Wednesday, November 11 – Sunday, November 15, 2026, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. daily at ZFeet, 10707 Park Blvd, Suite B, Charlotte, NC 28210. Offered four times per year.
5Gain supervised experience. ABC requires 1,000 hours of supervised pedorthic patient-care experience (or 500 hours if you hold a related license — podiatrist, prosthetist, physical therapist, etc.). Effective January 1, 2026, at least 50% must be completed after the pre-certification course, and initial evaluations and final fittings must be under direct supervision.
6Apply to ABC and sit the exam. Upload your certificate of completion with your application, then sit the C.Ped. examination. Verify current eligibility, fees, and dates at abcop.org.
The ABC examination this course prepares you for
Exam length165 items
Domains5 practice domains
ScoringScaled criterion-referenced
How the exam is weighted
32%20%24%14%10%
1. Patient Evaluation — 32%
2. Formulation of the Treatment Plan — 20%
3. Implementation — 24%
4. Continuation of Care — 14%
5. Practice Management — 10%
Enroll
Course access
Free to study
Every lesson, quiz, and the final exam is free to work through. Certificate enrollment is not yet open; when it opens, the certificate of completion will require the 80 didactic hours, the passed final exam, and the 40-hour in-person lab (120 hours total).
Start studying free
Next live lab · 40 hours, in person
November 11–15, 2026 · Charlotte, NC
Wednesday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. daily (5 days × 8 hours = all 40 lab hours).
ZFeet — 10707 Park Blvd, Suite B, Charlotte, NC 28210
The live lab is offered four times per year; future dates are announced once confirmed. Seats are limited. Hands-on casting and fabrication can’t be taught over video, so this portion is offered in person only.