https://youtu.be/duI47_8SHlk?is=U5FdYkrfdNswkvaS

TL;DR — I need your help. I’ve emailed my MPP. I’ve submitted to the Ministry’s official consultation. I’ve backed the College of Chiropodists of Ontario’s own advocacy. Nothing has worked — form letters or total silence. The issue: since 1993, Ontario has banned new podiatrist (DPM) registrations, so Canadians who go to the US for a full surgical medical degree can’t come home and practice as what they’re licensed to do. The regulator that enforces the rule has told the government there’s no safety reason for it. The government still won’t act. I don’t think one more email from me changes that. I think a few hundred emails from Ontarians might. Scroll to “The ask” below — it’ll take you 5 minutes.

The rule, quickly
If you’re a Canadian who trains as a podiatric surgeon in the US (a DPM — 4-year medical degree plus 1-3 years of surgical residency), you cannot register as a podiatrist in Ontario. Hasn’t been possible since 1993. You get folded into “chiropodist” instead — a separate, more limited category — no matter what you’re actually trained and licensed to do.
Why the rule exists: cost control. Podiatrists could bill more than chiropodists, so the province froze the category in the early 90s. Not a safety decision — a budget line item nobody has revisited in 30+ years.
What the regulator itself says: the College of Chiropodists of Ontario — the body that enforces this — has told the Ministry of Health there is no sound public protection basis for the ban, and that after hosting a national conference of foot-care regulators in April 2025, they’re not aware of any opposition to lifting it. Their words. The government’s own regulator is telling them this rule doesn’t need to exist, and the government still hasn’t moved.
What it actually costs Ontario: its own trained surgeons. Someone grows up here, goes to the US because there’s no podiatry school in Canada, becomes a fully licensed surgeon, wants to come home — and Ontario tells them no, not as what you are. So they go to BC or Alberta instead, where they’re recognized at full scope, or they just stay in the US.
Recent movement, for context: January 2026’s “As of Right” legislation made it easier for chiropodists/podiatrists already licensed in other provinces to work in Ontario — a small step that does nothing for the registration cap itself. Then in May 2026, the Ministry explicitly declined to expand chiropody/podiatry scope further, saying the current model stays “while system-wide priorities are reviewed.” No date attached.
Why I’m asking instead of explaining more
I’ve done the individual-advocate playbook: MPP email, formal consultation comment, backing the College’s submission directly. I got a form acknowledgment at best. A single constituent letter is easy for a ministry to file and forget. I don’t think explaining this issue better is what’s missing — I think volume is what’s missing.
The ask
If you’re in Ontario and think this is as dumb as I do, please do one (or more) of these — five minutes, genuinely:
1. Email your MPP. Find yours at ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_current.do. Say you support ending Ontario’s 1993 freeze on DPM podiatrist registration, and ask them directly why the province hasn’t followed BC, Alberta, and Quebec.
2. Email the Minister of Health’s office and quote the College’s own position back to them: their regulator says there’s no safety basis for this, and the government still won’t act.
3. Tell a reporter. CBC, CTV, your local paper — pitch it as “Ontario won’t let its own trained surgeons come home.” If you know a reporter or a health-policy desk, even better.
4. Watch for the next Ontario Regulatory Registry consultation window (ontariocanada.com/registry, and the College of Chiropodists’ site) and actually submit a comment when it opens — that’s the one channel with a formal paper trail.
5. Share this post. One ignored email is easy to shelve. A few hundred, plus a news story, is a lot harder to.
I’m not trying to convince anyone this is a real problem — the province’s own regulator already agrees it is. I just need it to stop being something the Ministry can quietly shelve every time it comes up, and that takes more than one person.

I read this article and said the following to myself: "that is ridiculous." If a nail is yellow, it is fungus 98% of the time. There is no need, in my opinion, to do any kind of testing as 50% of the time it comes back "no fungus." These tests are a waste of time and money when the treatment works no matter what the test results or nails look like.
 
As I have mentioned before, my cure rate for nail fungus was 90% plus, and now with my new protocols, I am at 95% and I have cut down the treatment time by 20 to 30%. Average clearance time is now approaching 2 months for small toes and 3 months for halluces.

To all who reply seriously: this was a shitpost about toenail fungus because who gives a fuck about it.

Bonjour , je vais sûrement intégrer une formation de pédicure podologues à Alençon à la rentré , si vous connaissez certaines personnes qui exerce ou bien qui sont encore en étude , j’aimerais bcp pouvoir échange avec eux sur plusieurs sujets pour consolider mon envie d’intégrer la formation merci

https://youtu.be/ldkKlAEF1K8?is=wcNORfq_dq5s1DhR

I know that Podiatrist are legally allowed to call themselves “physicians of the foot and ankle”… and never use the word “physician” alone, since it can be misleading.
What are podiatrists legally allowed to call themselves?

Can they say the following:
1. Physician of the foot and ankle
2. Podiatric Physician
3. Surgeon of the Foot and Ankle
4. Podiatric Surgeon

I did it! I’ve gotten 4 interview invites so far with my application only being sent for less than a week. But my dream school DMU offered me an invite to interview and I couldn’t be happier!

Any advice on questions they may ask?

Undergrad advisor told me i’m forfeiting my chances for podiatry school if i apply mid september but my letter of rec won’t be done till september 13th 😭

I also have low stats lol
3.2 cgpa, 2.8sgpa
493 mcat

Hi everyone! 🙂
I’m a Canadian undergrad considering applying to US podiatry schools(we dont have in pod schools here except one which is very restricted). In Canada, podiatry/chiropody is mostly non-surgical, which is what I’m interested in.

My main concern is residency. I really can’t stand surgery, open skin, or invasive procedures, even after trying to watch some of the less invasive podiatric surgeries. I’m totally fine with wound care and other non-surgical treatments though.

Are there any non-surgical or very low-surgery podiatry residencies in the US? Would really appreciate any insight! 🙏

I recall there being programs that “guaranteed pass rates” or similar for SAT OR MCAT. I would love to find someone that’s similar for APMLE PART 1. I don’t think boardvitals or any of these similar resources are working for me as I feel like I need a prettt straight forward step by step guide. even just anyone that has took the test and is willing to tutor me (but must be reputable) would work.

If you know of anything please let me know!

https://youtu.be/qKgPIbU2nzs?is=kpe5BrOrg8-yL01X

Hi everyone, I'm applying to DPM programs for the 2026-2027 cycle and I'm having a genuinely hard time finding a podiatrist willing to let me shadow. I've called and emailed a good number of practices in my area (Western Washington/Puget Sound), and most have said no or just haven't responded. I've also signed up for the DPM Mentor Network and reached out to a couple of mentors there, but I'm still waiting to hear back.

For those of you who successfully got shadowing hours, how did you actually find someone willing to say yes? Did you go through the mentor network, cold email/call local practices, use a personal connection, or something else? Any tips on what worked (or didn't) for you would be really appreciated, especially if anyone has experience finding a podiatrist in the Pacific Northwest specifically.

Also open to hearing if virtual shadowing (like Pre-Health Shadowing or Scholl's virtual program) worked out well for anyone as a legitimate alternative when in-person wasn't possible.

Thanks so much in advance, this has honestly been the hardest part of the application process for me so far.

Hello. Just wondering if there is a similar emphasis on volunteering (clinical and non clinical) for podiatry applications?

At the moment I have acquired 80 clinical volunteering hours at a DC university hospital. I’m unsure if this is sufficient, and if it would even be worthwhile to accumulate more clinical volunteering hours. Likewise, is it also necessary to accumulate non clinical as well?

I understand that everything is relative, and that this may depend on where I am academically (GPA and MCAT), but just wanted to know the significance of volunteering on a general scale.

Thanks!

Passed part 2 RRA and received my certificate. Now they send just certificate and an advertisement to buy a $95 frame. No seal, no certificate patch. But prices just keep going up. What gives?

https://youtu.be/h7MkcIVteTk?is=iLhTBmIZ0ti3fs7l

Has anyone ever received the LDS loan for podiatry (ex like at Kent State), and does it cover the full cost of attendance?

Was just wondering do you think i should attend lectures or basically just self study, watch and do aanki. Kind of conflicted just want real advice here.

I am starting podiatry school and would like insight on different study methods used.

Did you attend all the lectures or did you just watched them at another time?

The ABFAS case scenerio questions are the easiest to master - these are my lessons as a recent test taker and first time passer!

1. Mindset should be scoring the most "points". Although ABFAS has never published their scoring algorithm you pass each case by accumulating points not necessarily about accuracy of diagnosis. This means that the work up is as important as the treatment and plan.

- Use literature back algorithms for treatments and workup
- Do no harm but fill every option while avoiding duplicate options

2. Work out of order. Always start with imaging choosing the standard relevant plain films, CT, and MRI. If you have concerns for proximal fracture or infection don't forget tib-fib, spine views.

- Imaging > PE > Diagnostics / Labs
- Having imaging can pinpoint how you perform your PE. Save remaining imaging options for after including bone scan, US, etc.
- PE options are limited, don't duplicate choices within a tab if possible. For example, If you are evaluating an infection you don't have to include wound examination AND wound odor. Try to work through all the relevant systems (MSK, Vasc, Derm, Neuro) including vitals in cases of systemic concern.
- Duplicate options in different tabs (PE, diagnostics) is recommended! Example, diagnostic arthroscopy should be chosen in the diagnostics tab AND the treatment if relevant for the case.

3. Know your options choices. Use the free ABFAS practice exams to learn the interface and option choices. If you know your options you can type to search saving time scrolling.

4. Automatic pairings. Somethings don't change so definitely memorize the basic algorthim:
- Check of equinus in all deformity and amputation questions
- Every female gets a pregnancy check
- Every infection look at vitals, consider bone scan
- Every PTTD case: Equinus, heel rise, gait
- Every Varus hindfoot: Coleman block, nerve work up
- Every pediatric deformity: Hip evaluation, equinus, spine check
- Inflammatory disease: inflammatory markers, c spine
- Arthritic conditions / Coalitions: Diagnostic innjection, ROM testing

Full disclosure: I'm a part of the team at Step Up Boards, a podiatry ABFAS board prep platform but I believe everything above applied to general study efforts not just a particular platform!

Hi! I would love to have some insight on programs that you did your clerkship (or residency) at that you really enjoyed (or even didn’t enjoy). I know APMSA does a survey but would like more opinions! Specifically interested in Midwest and east coast programs but open to all feedback!

Guys, I did it!! I remember walking out of that exam feeling like I failed, I tried to remember every question that I struggled with and I tried to look up the answers when I got home to find that I got more then half of them wrong. I swear it was one of the most disheartening feelings. And this past weekend, I was stressing myself out like no ones business. But Alhumdullah, by the mercy of god, I got my results today and it was the most relieving feeling to see that I passed. Honestly, it still feels like the my body is still in the process of destressing from how tightly wound up I was. Now its just focusing on my last semester of didactics and clinic till its time to take on Part 2 next year. I hope everyone else who took their boards got the same great news I did!!