Orthopedic Technician Certification and Training Programs

Updated on 11/6/2025

Orthopedic technicians play a vital role in patient recovery by assisting orthopedic physicians with casts, splints, braces, and traction equipment. These professionals are often the hands-on experts ensuring that patients are stabilized and comfortable before and after procedures.

Completing an accredited training program and earning certification can open doors to hospital, clinic, and sports medicine careers where precision and care are essential. While most training takes place on campus or in clinical labs, some schools and professional organizations offer orthopedic technician certification programs online for exam preparation or continuing education. Below, you'll find an overview of orthopedic technician certification requirements, top orthopedic technician training programs, common coursework, and career paths to help you plan your entry into this fast-growing healthcare specialty.

What Is an Orthopedic Technician?

Orthopedic technicians are allied health professionals who support physicians in diagnosing and treating injuries of the bones, joints, and muscles. Their responsibilities often include applying and removing casts, braces, and splints; assisting during orthopedic procedures; maintaining traction systems; and teaching patients how to care for their devices. 

They also manage orthopedic instruments and equipment, ensuring a sterile and organized environment. You'll find orthopedic technicians working in hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, and sports medicine facilities. Their work combines clinical skill and patient empathy, making them essential to the orthopedic care team.

Certification Requirements for Orthopedic Technicians

To become a certified orthopedic technician, you'll typically need both education and hands-on clinical experience. While requirements can vary by employer or certifying agency, most follow similar standards. Certification demonstrates your competency and can significantly improve employment prospects in medical and surgical settings.

Common requirements include:

• high school diploma or GED
• completion of an orthopedic technology training program or equivalent experience
• clinical training or supervised hands-on practice
• passing a certification exam (such as the National Board for *Certification of Orthopaedic Technologists, or NBCOT)
• continuing education for renewal of certification

5 Orthopedic Technician Training Programs

These accredited orthopedic technology programs provide the skills and supervised experience you'll need to meet certification standards and succeed in clinical environments. Each combines technical training with patient-care practice to prepare graduates for the NBCOT exam and entry-level employment.

1. Rio Hondo College

Located in Whittier, CA, Rio Hondo College offers one of the most affordable entry points into orthopedic technician training with its 19-unit certificate of achievement program. Designed to prepare students for immediate employment, the curriculum blends anatomy and physiology with orthopedic techniques used in hospitals and clinics. You'll study immobilization, casting, splinting, traction, and wound care while also developing back-office skills like patient documentation and communication.

Hands-on learning is built into the experience through the orthopedic technician practicum, which includes clinical rotations in hospitals and outpatient settings. Here, students practice sterile technique, assist during orthopedic procedures, and gain real-world experience in patient care. Graduates are prepared to take the NBCOT exam and pursue entry-level roles in healthcare.

• Estimated tuition cost: $46 per credit hour (in-state); $329 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
• Financial aid: Eligible students may qualify for California College Promise grants and federal financial aid.

2. Grossmont College

Based in El Cajon, CA, Grossmont College offers both an Associate in Science (AS) degree and a certificate of achievement in orthopedic technology. This comprehensive program focuses on developing advanced technical skills for assisting orthopedic physicians in both clinical and surgical environments. Coursework includes orthopedic anatomy and physiology, multiple levels of orthopedic techniques, and diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic disorders. The curriculum prepares you to apply, adjust, and remove orthopedic devices, set up traction systems, and assist with reductions and manipulations during treatment.

You'll also complete three progressive clinical experiences, including an introductory practicum and two supervised hospital practicums that focus on aseptic technique and patient care. These rotations allow you to refine your technical abilities while building confidence in professional settings. Graduates of either the degree or certificate track are eligible to take the national certification exam through NBCOT.

• Estimated tuition cost: $46 per credit hour (in-state); $363 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACCJC
• Financial aid: Federal financial aid, Cal Grants, and Grossmont College scholarships are available to qualifying students.

3. Central Georgia Technical College 

Located in Warner Robins, GA, Central Georgia Technical College's (CGTC) orthopedic technology program prepares you to become a skilled healthcare assistant working alongside orthopedic surgeons and clinical teams. The associate degree program covers everything from casting and splinting to fitting patients with braces and other orthopedic devices. You'll also explore modern surgical techniques and assistive technologies, ensuring you graduate with up-to-date knowledge and confidence in both clinical and surgical settings.

Students who complete the program are eligible to take the registration exam offered by the American Society of Orthopedic Professionals (ASOP), a respected credential that supports entry into hospitals, outpatient clinics, and orthopedic device companies. For those looking to enter the field quickly, CGTC also offers an accelerated orthopedic technician certificate with a shorter completion timeline.

• Estimated tuition cost: $107 per credit hour (in-state); $214 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Financial aid: Federal financial aid and Georgia HOPE scholarships are available to qualifying students.

4. Century College

Century College in White Bear Lake, MN, offers a specialized orthotic technology program that focuses on designing and fabricating orthoses--custom braces that assist patients with limb and spine conditions. Students in this Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree or diploma program gain extensive experience in measurement, alignment, and fabrication techniques under the supervision of certified orthotic practitioners.

Hands-on practice is a cornerstone of the program, with students completing a 160-hour practicum in professional orthotic facilities. This real-world training reinforces classroom learning while building a foundation for immediate employment after graduation. The accredited program prepares you for technician-level positions in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private orthotics labs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $228.53 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
• Financial aid: Century College offers federal aid, state grants, and need-based scholarships for eligible students.

5. NHTI – Concord's Community College

Based in Concord, NH, NHTI – Concord's Community College offers an AS degree in orthopaedic technology. This 66-credit program blends in-depth anatomy and radiology coursework with the specialized training needed to master casting, splinting, traction, and fracture management. You'll learn directly from experienced clinicians through lectures, lab work, and extensive hands-on practice designed to prepare you for real-world orthopedic care.

A standout feature of NHTI's program is its two required externships: a spring externship and a senior capstone, which provide direct patient experience in hospitals and clinics across New Hampshire and beyond. Graduates are eligible to take the national certification exam through NBCOT, positioning them for immediate employment in medical centers or private practices.

• Estimated tuition cost: $230 per credit hour (in-state); $505 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Financial aid: Students can apply for federal aid, New Hampshire scholarships, and institutional grants through the NHTI financial aid office.

Common Coursework in Orthopedic Technology

Orthopedic technician programs combine classroom theory with practical, hands-on training to prepare students for work in real clinical environments. Courses teach anatomy, injury management, and medical communication, ensuring you can support both patients and healthcare teams effectively. You'll spend time in labs and externships practicing cast application, brace fitting, and sterile surgical techniques.

Common courses include:

• anatomy and physiology
• orthopedic pathology and injuries
• casting and splinting techniques
• bracing and traction application
• surgical assisting and sterile techniques
• patient care and medical communication
• medical terminology

Career Opportunities for Orthopedic Technicians

After completing training and earning certification, orthopedic technicians can work in hospitals, private orthopedic practices, outpatient surgery centers, and sports medicine clinics. They support physicians in fracture care, post-surgical recovery, and injury prevention, often serving as the bridge between patients and clinical staff.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics groups orthopedic technicians under the broader category of healthcare technologists and technicians, which shows consistent job growth due to an aging population and increased demand for orthopedic procedures. Salaries typically range from about $39,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on experience, certification, and work setting.

FAQs About Orthopedic Technician Certification and Training

Before pursuing orthopedic technician certification, it helps to understand what to expect from training and exams. Below are answers to some of the most common questions.

Is Being an Orthopedic Technician Hard?

Becoming an orthopedic technician takes focus and patience, especially when learning clinical procedures like casting and traction setup. Certification ensures you've met professional standards and can safely support physicians and patients. With proper training and practice, most students find the work rewarding and achievable.

How Long Does It Take To Complete an Orthopedic Technician Program?

Most orthopedic technician programs take one to two years to complete, depending on whether you pursue a certificate or an associate degree. Certificate programs typically focus on core clinical skills, while associate degrees include general education and advanced coursework. Both paths include hands-on practicums or externships that prepare you for certification.

What Skills Do Orthopedic Technicians Need?

Strong manual dexterity, attention to detail, and communication skills are essential for orthopedic technicians. You'll need to understand human anatomy, follow sterile procedures, and work closely with patients in clinical or emergency settings. Teamwork and empathy are equally important in providing quality care.

Can I Take Orthopedic Technician Classes Online?

Yes, some orthopedic technician programs include online coursework for lectures and theory while requiring in-person lab or clinical components. This hybrid structure allows flexibility for working students without sacrificing hands-on training. Fully online options are rare due to the practical skills required for certification.

How Much Do Orthopedic Technicians Make?

Orthopedic technician salaries vary by region and experience but generally range from about $45,000 to $65,000 annually. Those working in surgical or hospital environments may earn higher pay, while entry-level technicians often start closer to the lower end of that range. Steady demand in orthopedic care provides reliable job security and advancement potential.

Explore Orthopedic Technician Programs

Explore accredited orthopedic technician training programs on Learn.org. Compare tuition, accreditation, and clinical training opportunities that prepare you for certification and a rewarding healthcare career.