OPE-SC FAQs

The Orthopedic Physician Extender Surgical Certified (OPE-SC) examination is a 100 question online, objective assessment comprised of the specialty practice knowledge and skills genuinely representative of the athletic trainer in the orthopedic surgical setting.

The Orthopedic Physician Extender Surgical Certified credential demonstrates successful comprehension and clinical orientation of the athletic trainer who is functioning in a supportive role to the orthopedic surgeon within the operative setting and further possesses a dedicated commitment to patient safety throughout the pre-, intra-, and post-operative surgical environment.

Successful completion of the OPE-SC credentialing exam will indicate the cognitive foundation in the following areas within orthopedic surgical practice:

Domain Task Areas:

• Perioperative Preparation
• Intra-Operative Management
• Post-Operative Patient Care
• Professional & Ethical Patient Care

Specialty Focus Areas:

• Aseptic Techniques
• Safety in the Operating Room
• Use and Care of Orthopedic Instruments
• Orthopedic Surgical Procedures
• Wound Closure Techniques

The orthopedic extender position for the athletic trainer continues to be a vast growth opportunity within the profession. In today’s economy, professionals are always seeking an opportunity to continue their marketability in the workforce, particularly the orthopedic setting. The educational background/preparation of the athletic trainer continues to afford the AT a seamless transition within clinical orthopedic setting.

LET’S ELEVATE THE CLINICAL SPECIALTY – Orthopedic Physician Extender – Surgical Certified (OPE-SC) is a highly educated healthcare specialist who works directly under the orthopedic physician involved in the management of musculoskeletal conditions in a guided, supervised orthopedic surgical setting. The OPE-SC demonstrates orthopedic-specific competency and possesses a dedicated commitment to patient safety throughout the pre-, intra-, and post-operative surgical environment.

There is a no question that consistency in the use of professional credentialing offsets any confusion or misinterpretation. You should always list your academic credentials first, licensure and then professional credentials at the end. For example, an athletic trainer with a master’s degree or doctorate along with possessing state licensure should then be followed up with OPE-SC designation.

Note: John Smith, MS, ATC, OPE-SC

The orthopedic practice, hospital, urgent care and surgical centers should specify the privileges, role, responsibilities for each healthcare provider. Furthermore, the organization should establish qualifications, criteria, and credentialing process when granting specific privileges. Athletic Trainers who possess additionally credentialing are required to abide by their relevant statutes and regulations for both state licensed and unlicensed certifications.

YES. The OPE Surgical Home Study will award 7 Category A CEUS following review of all materials in the member’s areas and upon exam completion. The American Society of Orthopedic Professionals (BOC AP#: P120) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers. This program is eligible for a maximum of 7 Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program. Upon completion of the participant assessment and course evaluation surveys, you will receive your CEU certificate of completion.

For those exam candidates challenging both home study courses (per above) – OPE Certification (13) and OPE Surgical (7) would equate to 20 Category A CEUs, respectively.

Please log into your “myNBCOS” Member Area > OPE-SC > Exam Resources > Scroll to bottom for “Continuing Education Center”.

Are you a Certified Athletic Trainer? Please review the pathways for challenging the OPE-SC certification exam from the home page. If you have any questions you can always contact our support team at support@nbcos.org

NBCOS Member with a minimum six (6) months experience in orthopedic surgery
An individual with NBCOS membership in good standing and has six (6) months experience in orthopedic surgery. Requires orthopedic MD/DO verification.

Recently attended an “Ortho Fx Management & Surgery Workshop” or “ASOP Casting Workshop”? If so, you will have immediate access to the myNBCOS Member Resource Area with complimentary access to all NBCOS password protected content areas for one (1) year.

By completing or in the process of matriculating through an athletic training program, one cannot ask for a more comprehensive education preparation for managing the disposition of the physically active individual. You already have an exhaustive library of professional resources from your academic program in sports medicine and orthopedics. However, when you register for the OPE Surgical Certification examination, you will get full access to the private, password protected member’s area. The candidate area is a full repository of educational resources (pdfs, videos etc) in select areas of orthopedic surgery.

All candidates can navigate through the online registration process and apply for the OPE-SC examination from the myNBCOS member area.

Please note: all candidates MUST submit the “Supervisor Verification Form” via the submission URL for final uploading found in the OPE Surgical member’s area.

Click here to Sample Verification Form

If you have any technical issues during the verification submission process, please email us for additional assistance. Please refer to our FAQs for a review of the registration process.

Yes. You will receive email confirmation that your application has been approved, along with an invoice from your exam purchase

Please note: it may take 7-10 business days for our support team to verification all documentation before receiving access to the exam portal.

If you are enrolled in an “Orthopedic Fracture Management and Surgery Workshop” you will receive access information following workshop attendance.

You will receive an email from the test administrator after completing the application form and processing your payment (may take up to 7-10 days for verification process to be completed). Please check your email and spam folder for communication on your application status.

Once access is provided, you will be asked to verify your email by inputting a unique numerical code that can be found in your initial email from the test administrator in order to proceed with final exam registration.

Refunds: If your application is not approved, you will obtain a full refund.

Requests for Refund: If you elect to cancel your exam registration and wish to receive a refund on your application, you must contact the NBCOS Credentialing Support Team at support@nbcos.org . As such, requests for a refund must be received prior to (1) accessing the Member’s Area and/or (2) starting the exam from within the exam portal. Requests received after starting/attempting the exam will not be accepted. To apply for a future exam after cancelling or receiving an initial application refund, you must submit a new application and pay the full registration fee.

Exam Window: If you fail to complete the OPE-SC exam within your respective membership term/cycle, the exam candidate will need to renew their membership and be in good standing.

All examinations consist of multiple-choice (single and multiple select) drag and drop, and matching questions that are carefully designed, reviewed for correctness, and computer-scored.

OPE-SC examination questions have been developed by subject matter experts. Item performance is monitored through psychometric analysis. All exam questions are selected to satisfy the test specifications of the exam content analysis.

The Orthopedic Physician Extender Surgical Certified examination is a 100 question online, objective assessment comprised of the foundational knowledge and skills genuinely representative of the athletic trainer functioning in a supportive role to the orthopedic surgeon within the operative setting.

The OPE-SC exam has a four (4) hour time limit

After submitting the necessary supervisor verification form attesting to your experience in the orthopedic surgical setting, it may take 7-10 days to receive email access to the exam portal. Please refer to FAQs herein for more information.

You will receive an email that includes your unique URL for accessing the exam. You will through your membership term to complete the exam.  From the NBCOS exam portal, log in and click the green button to “BEGIN EXAM”.  Once the exam has started, the timer has been engaged and you have a 4-hour time limit to complete all the questions and submit your exam.

Once you click “Begin Exam” the four (4) hour time limit will start. You may exit your browser and re-enter, however, you only have four (4) hours to answer and submit your attempt.

AGAIN, please note, the clock DOES NOT STOP once you start the exam! (even if you log out)

You will have two (2) attempts to pass the OPE-SC examination [70% pass point]. Please email us in the event of any delays.

You will receive email notification of your exam results upon completion. Additionally, you can log into your exam portal and view results.

Once you “submit” your exam, you will instantaneously see your exam score. You will also receive an email containing your final exam score and as a certified member in good standing, you will always have access to the exam portal.

The OPE examination passing score is 70%.

Yes, as a certified member in good status, you will always have access to your exam portal. 

Yes, upon successfully challenging the OPE-SC exam, a temporary certificate is awarded and can be downloaded (pdf). Your official OPE-SC Certificate with corresponding membership renewal/expiration date will be emailed from the NBCOS Credentialing Committee within 5-7 business days.

Please see above FAQs relative to CEUs for the athletic trainer.