What are the Licensing and Board Certification Requirements?
National Boards are taken in two parts while in podiatric medical school. Part I covers basic science areas and is generally taken at the conclusion of the second year. Part II covers clinical areas and is taken in the spring of the fourth year, prior to graduation. Satisfactory completion of Parts I and II of the National Board is one of the requirements for state licensure. Most states will also require a written and/or oral examination prior to licensure. Podiatric physicians are licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to treat the foot and its related or governing structures by medical, surgical or other means. State licensing requirements generally include graduation from one of the eight accredited colleges of podiatric medicine, passage of the National Board exams, postgraduate training and written and oral examinations. Podiatric physicians may also become certified in one or both specialty areas: primary care and orthopedics, or surgery. National po
