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To become a podiatrist, you must complete a bachelor’s degree, graduate from an accredited podiatric medical, finish a CPME-accredited residency, obtain state licensure, and secure employment. Here is the step-by-step path.
Start by earning a bachelor’s degree. Most podiatric medical schools require a completed undergraduate degree, although specific majors do not matter. Choose a major that allows you to complete the required science prerequisites.
Common prerequisites include:
Always verify prerequisites directly with your target schools.
Next, apply to an accredited podiatric medical school. Most programs require:
Our experienced admissions advisors can help you strengthen each of these application components before submission to ensure you present a complete, polished, and competitive application.
Podiatric medical school typically takes four years. The first two years focus on foundational sciences. The final two years emphasize clinical training, especially conditions affecting the foot and ankle.
After earning your Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree, complete a residency accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME). Most podiatry residencies last three years and provide advanced surgical and clinical training.
Apply for licensure in the state where you plan to practice. Each state sets its own requirements, which typically include board exams and residency completion.
Podiatrists make an average annual salary of $250,897. Total salary can vary greatly depending on a number of factors, including location, experience, individual institution, and more. Generally speaking, podiatry salaries range between $222,414 and $300,878 annually.
It typically takes 11 to 13 years to become a licensed podiatrist in the United States.
Here’s the breakdown:
In total, most students spend about 8 years after college in professional training.
Some students may take additional time if they complete gap years, pursue research, or delay residency placement. However, the standard path from starting college to independent practice is approximately 11 to 13 years.
Yes, becoming a podiatrist is difficult, as it is competitive and academically demanding. You must earn strong grades in science courses, perform well on the MCAT, and gain admission to a selective podiatric medical school.
After acceptance, you complete four years of medical training and a three-year residency. The coursework covers rigorous medical sciences and clinical training, with early specialization in foot and ankle care.
Podiatry school is not easier or harder than med school. It follows a structure similar to allopathic and osteopathic medical schools. Students complete four years of medical education after a bachelor’s degree and then enter residency training.
Podiatric students study core medical sciences and complete clinical rotations. The key difference is specialization in foot and ankle medicine rather than training across all body systems.
Most podiatric medical schools require the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Even when the MCAT is optional, a high score can strengthen your application and demonstrate readiness for rigorous medical coursework.
Yes, podiatrists are licensed physicians who earn a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree. They diagnose, treat, and perform surgery on conditions affecting the foot and ankle.
After completing medical school and residency, podiatrists practice independently under state licensure, like other doctors.
Dr. Jonathan Preminger was the original author of this article. Snippets of his work may remain.
Reviewed by:
Orthopaedic Surgery Resident Physician, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
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