2. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. The practice of orthotics and prosthetics may, if unregulated, seriously harm or endanger the health, safety, and well-being of the citizens of this State;
b. Citizens of this State need, and will benefit from, an assurance of initial and ongoing professional competence among orthotists and prosthetists practicing in this State;
c. The present unregulated system for dispensing orthotic and prosthetic care does not adequately meet the needs or serve the interests of the public; and
d. It is necessary for this State to regulate and license the practice of orthotics and prosthetics for the purpose of protecting the citizens of this State from injury or harm caused by ill-prepared, incompetent, unscrupulous, or unauthorized practitioners and to assure the highest degree of professional conduct on the part of orthotists and prosthetists practicing in this State.