Licensing for Podiatry in BC

Podiatrists in BC are required to be licensed by, and members of, the British Columbia Association of Podiatrists and must first be registered by the Board of Examiners in Podiatry. 

Registration Requirements:

1. Doctor of Podiatric Medicine post-graduate degree from one of these approved and accredited schools: 

• Arizona Podiatric Medicine Program at Midwestern University AZPOD
• Barry University School of Podiatric Medicic BUSPM
• California School of Podiatric Medicine at  Samuel Merritt University CSPM
• Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery CPMS
• New York College of Podiatric Medicine NYCPM
• Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine OCPM
• Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University SCPM
• Temple University School of Podiatic Medicine TUSPM

and at least 2 years of post-DPM residency-level training. Canadian podiatrists please refer to    AIT rulings below to confirm eligibility for application.

2. Completed and notarized Board of Examiners in Podiatry application form.
3. Examination fee of $520 (Can.).  Make cheque or money order payable to “The Board of Examiners in Podiatry”.
4. College transcripts (if applicable).
5. Official or notarized transcripts from College of Podiatric Medicine.
6. Original or notarized copy of your Doctor of Podiatric Medicine Diploma.
7. Three letters of reference.
8. Original or notarized copy of your residency certificate.

9. A disciplinary data bank report from the Federation of Podiatric Medical Boards, address as follows:

Federation of Podiatric Medical Boards
P.O. Box 880187
Boca Raton, FL 33488-0187
Phone and Fax: (561) 477-3060
(Mail requests only)

10. Attestation from the issuing authority of the regulatory body where you currently practice confirming you are licensed in good standing.

New applicants for registration are required pass an oral and practical examination by the Board, offered at least twice a year in January (application deadline December 15) and June (application deadline May 15).

AIT Compliance as of April 1, 2009

Effective April 1, 2009, and consistent with the terms of the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) and the BC/AB Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA), the BC Association of Podiatrists and Board of Examiners in Podiatry will certify for the occupation of podiatric medicine, applicants who are currently certified and licensed in any other Canadian province (with the exception of Saskatchewan, Manitoba and New Brunswick*), in accordance with the provisions of these Agreements.  Those holding a certification from Saskatchewan, Manitoba or New Brunswick will be treated as new applicants.

Registration by the Board and membership in BCAP is still required.  Applicants certified in another Canadian province must provide:

1. Original or notarized copy of current license or certification.
2. Attestation from issuing authority of the regulatory body where you currently practice confirming you are licensed in good standing.
3. Completed and notarized copy of application form.
4. Application fee of $120.00, payable to “Board of Examiners in Podiatry”

Prior to final licensing by the BC Association of Podiatrists, applicants must submit a criminal record review check and obtain suitable malpractice insurance. Membership in BCAP is required and renewable annually with registration. Criminal record check must be done every five years. 

* Saskatchewan, Manitoba and New Brunswick do not currently regulate full-scope podiatric medicine as an entry-to-practice standard, as is the case in all other Canadian provinces.  As a result, the certification obtained in those jurisdictions is not for the occupation of podiatric medicine as that occupation is defined in British Columbia and all other provinces.  Consequently, those holding certificates issued by Saskatchewan, Manitoba or New Brunswick are not entitled to recognition of that certification in British Columbia under the AIT.