Credentials
Is a podiatrist a real doctor?
Yes. A podiatrist holds a **Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)**, which is a real clinical doctorate earned through four years at a podiatric medical college plus a three-year hospital-based surgical residency. It is a real license and degree, but it is not an **MD** or **DO** medical license.[1][2]
What the DPM means
A DPM is the title used for podiatrists, and the title **Dr.** reflects the degree, not a general medical license. The degree shows doctoral-level training in foot and ankle care, while the license to practice medicine is a separate legal credential issued and limited by the licensing board.[1][2]
What podiatrists can do
Podiatrists are licensed in all 50 states, can prescribe medication within their scope, and can perform foot surgery.[2] Their practice is anatomical, and every state includes the foot, but the exact scope is set by state law and the board that issues the license, not by the DPM credential itself.[2]
Where the limits are
The podiatric license does not become a general license for whole-body care. Advice about diet, hormones, or whole-body disease sits outside the podiatric license in every state, even when the practitioner has strong foot-and-ankle training.[2] Mississippi’s practice act, Code 73-21-1, does not extend to the ankle, and New York requires a separately issued ankle-surgery privilege under Education Law 7009 before a podiatrist operates on the ankle.[2]
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Related
FAQ
Is a podiatrist the same as an MD?+
No.
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No. A podiatrist has a DPM, not an MD or DO medical license. The DPM is a doctoral degree and clinical license for podiatric practice, while MD and DO are different medical degrees and licenses.[1][2]
Can a podiatrist prescribe medicine and do surgery?+
Yes, within the podiatric scope set by state law and the licensing board.
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Yes, within the podiatric scope set by state law and the licensing board. Podiatrists are licensed in all 50 states, may prescribe medication within their scope, and perform foot surgery.[2]
Can a podiatrist treat the whole body?+
No.
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No. The podiatric license is anatomical and focused on the foot, and in some places the ankle only by specific legal authority. Advice about diet, hormones, or whole-body disease sits outside that license in every state.[2]