1. (1) An “orthotist” is an allied health professional who is specifically trained and educated to provide or manage the provision of a custom-designed, fabricated, modified and fitted external orthosis to an orthotics patient, based on a clinical assessment and a prescription from a health care practitioner authorized by law to write such prescriptions, to restore physiological function or cosmesis.
2. (2) An “orthosis” is a custom-designed, fabricated, fitted or modified device to correct, support or compensate for a neuro-musculoskeletal disorder or acquired condition. “Orthosis” does not include fabric or elastic supports, corsets, arch supports, low-temperature plastic splints, trusses, elastic hoses, canes, crutches, soft cervical collars, dental appliances, or other similar devices that are carried in stock and sold without modification as “over-the-counter” items by a drug store, department store, corset shop, or surgical supply facility.
3. (3) “Orthotics” is the science and practice of evaluating, measuring, designing, fabricating, assembling, fitting, adjusting, or servicing an orthosis under an order from a licensed health care practitioner authorized by law to issue such an order for the correction or alleviation of neuromuscular or musculoskeletal dysfunction, disease, injury, or deformity.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 63-3-106, 63-3-201, and 63-3-202. Administrative History: Original rule filed July 13, 2006; effective September 26, 2006.