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Podiatrist

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What To Learn

High School

What high school courses should you take if you're interested in this career? Get your answers from the Health Science cluster Therapeutic Services pathway.

Beyond High School

Here's a list of programs that you should consider if you're interested in this career:

Education Level

Education training and experience are required at different levels for success in different occupations.

Doctoral degree

Podiatrists must earn a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree, which takes takes 4 years to complete. After earning a DPM, podiatrists must apply to and complete a podiatric medicine and surgery residency (PMSR) program. Residency programs, which last several years, take place in hospitals and allow podiatrists to gain experience providing medical and surgical care to patients.

Insider Info

Additional Information

You can study podiatry at seven special podiatry colleges. An undergraduate degree is not an entrance requirement, but most students have completed one before they apply.

You must complete a number of pre-med courses. You'll also have to pass an entrance exam -- the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). You'll need this test to get into any medical school in the U.S.

Podiatry college lasts four years and combines formal coursework with practical experience in nursing homes and hospitals. Once you are done with podiatry college, you have to pass a number of licensing exams.

Licensing requirements depend on the state. If you want to practice in more than one state, you have to meet each state's requirements.

Extra Requirements

Podiatrists in every state must be licensed. Podiatrists must pay a fee and pass the American Podiatric Medical Licensing Exam (APMLE), offered by the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners. Some states have additional requirements. Many podiatrists choose to become board certified. Certification generally requires a combination of work experience and passing an exam from the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, the American Board of Podiatric Medicine, or the American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry.

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