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: 125-hour program — 80 hours of didactic instruction online across 20 modules (aligned to the textbook Pedorthic Atlas) plus a 45-hour in-person laboratory — with module quizzes and a closed-book 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 lab45 hours · fabrication & casting
Final exam165 questions · closed book · 80% to pass
Total program125 hours · 80 + 45 lab
Practice & quiz questions700+ with rationales
Enrollment$3,495 lab seat · final · certificate
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
Two separate things: ABC’s eligibility requirements, which ABC sets and only ABC can change, and this course, which is an independent program of study. Completing this course is not, at present, a way to meet ABC’s education requirement.
ABC’s requirements for the C.Ped. examination (set by ABC — verify at abcop.org)
AAge and education. You must be 18 years or older and hold a high school diploma, GED certificate or college transcript.
BAn ABC-approved pedorthic pre-certification course. ABC publishes the list of approved courses. This course is not on it. If that changes, this page, the course overview and the certificate wording will say so the same day.
CPatient-care experience. Either 1,000 hours of supervised pedorthic patient-care experience, or 500 hours if you hold “a nationally recognized license/certification in a related allied health profession” (ABC’s examples include podiatrist/DPM, prosthetist/CP and physical therapist/PT). For both routes at least 50% of the hours must be obtained after completion of the pre-certification course, and initial patient evaluations and final fittings or deliveries of custom devices must be under direct supervision. Experience is earned in practice, separately from any course.
DApply to ABC and sit the examination. Verify current eligibility, fees and dates at abcop.org before applying.
This course (independent study — not currently ABC-approved)
1Complete the 80-hour didactic course. Work all 20 modules (358 lessons) and pass each module quiz (80%, retakes allowed). This is the didactic portion of the 125-hour program.
2Pass the final examination at 80% or better — 165 questions, closed book, 3-hour limit, unlocked once every module is complete. One attempt; a second attempt only by instructor authorization after remediation. Taken online under a signed attestation and graded on the server; identity is confirmed in person at the lab, one integrity measure alongside the attestation and the instructor’s review of the sitting record.
3Complete the 45-hour in-person lab within six months of finishing the didactic portion, with all twenty lab skills assessed individually and passed. ABC’s standard for an approved course requires at least 40 hours of in-person laboratory (fabrication and casting) in addition to the 80 didactic hours, with no online delivery; this lab runs 45 hours. Next session: to be announced; 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. daily at ZFeet, 10707 Park Blvd, Suite B, Charlotte, NC 28210. Planned four times per year; a session is confirmed once it has enough enrolled students.
4Receive the certificate of completion for the 125-hour program. It records what you completed here. It does not, at present, satisfy ABC’s education requirement (B above).
The ABC examination this course prepares you for
Note on the 2027 examination. ABC completed a new practice analysis of certified pedorthists in April 2026 and has announced a new examination form, with a new content outline and passing score, to be first offered in February 2027. The figures below are the current (2017-based) outline. This course and its module structure will be updated when ABC publishes the new outline; until then, check abcop.org for the current examination content.
Exam length165 items
Domains5 practice domains
Time limit3 hours · pass/fail result
How the exam is weighted
32%20%24%14%10%
1. Patient Evaluation — 32%
2. Formulation of the Treatment Plan — 20%
3. Implementation of the Treatment Plan — 24%
4. Continuation of the Treatment Plan — 14%
5. Practice Management — 10%
Enroll
Course access
Free to study
Every lesson and module quiz is free to work through with registration. Enrollment ($3,495) adds the in-person lab seat, the closed-book final examination (online, under attestation) and the certificate of completion. The certificate requires the 80 didactic hours, the passed final exam, and the 45-hour in-person lab with all twenty skills passed (125 hours total). Payment is by QuickBooks payment link or invoice, and the program confirms your enrollment by email.
Start studying free
Next live lab · 45 hours, in person
Dates to be announced · Charlotte, NC
Wednesday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. daily, with a 30-minute lunch and two 15-minute breaks (5 days × 9 instructional hours = 45 lab hours).
ZFeet — 10707 Park Blvd, Suite B, Charlotte, NC 28210
The live lab is planned four times per year; a session is confirmed, and its dates announced here, once it has enough enrolled students. Limited to 10 students per session (instructor-to-student ratio 1:10). Bring one clean, used pair of lace-up shoes in your size; they will be modified. Hands-on casting and fabrication can’t be taught over video, so this portion is offered in person only.
Questions
Course, enrollment or lab questions: info@pedorthicatlas.com · 540-314-9508, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Eastern. Email and voicemail are answered within one business day. Program office: Foot Companion, Inc., 9724 Midlothian Turnpike, North Chesterfield, VA.