Board of Podiatric Medicine

Information for Residents

Printer Friendly Version

The Law

The Board of Podiatric Medicine (BPM) issues a Resident's License for participation in approved podiatric medical residency programs in California. Participation in a program without a Resident's License issued by the BPM is a violation of criminal law, which the BPM enforces vigorously. California Business and Professions Code Section 2475 states as follows:

Unless otherwise provided by law, no postgraduate trainee, intern, resident postdoctoral fellow, or instructor may engage in the practice of podiatric medicine, or receive compensation therefor, or offer to engage in the practice of podiatric medicine unless he or she holds a valid, unrevoked, and unsuspended certificate to practice issued by the [BPM].

The law provides that the BPM may renew a resident's license for a second, third, and fourth year. However, in order to participate in a residency program beyond the third year, a resident must pass the NBPME Part III examination and be issued a permanent license. Fourth year residents may need to hold the resident's license concurrently with the permanent license, for it is this training license that authorizes residents in approved programs to participate in hands-on training beyond the scope of podiatric medicine under appropriate physician supervision.

The BPM issues Resident's Licenses for approved podiatric medicine and surgery (PM&S), podiatric surgical residency (PSR), rotating podiatric residency (RPR), primary podiatric medical residency (PPMR), and podiatric orthopedic residency (POR) programs. A Resident's License may also be issued for participation in a fellowship program. Fellowship programs are reviewed by the BPM on a case-by-case basis.

Commencing January 1, 1998, only programs that include at least some podiatric surgical training will satisfy requirements to obtain a permanent California license.

Scope of Practice

Podiatric medical residents working under a resident's license may fully participate in rotations involving treatment beyond the foot and ankle, under appropriate supervision within an approved residency program. Residents must be supervised at all times, and the supervision must be by a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy if the work lies outside the scope of podiatric medical practice. Practice in any setting that is not an official rotation of the approved program is a criminal violation of the Medical Practice Act.

Requirements for Resident's License

Applicants must obtain an application package from the board. The following requirements must be completed prior to issuance of a resident's license:

  1. Application with photograph and fees ($131);
  2. Two fingerprint cards (for out-of-state applicants only) or Live Scan (California applicants) application;
  3. Memorandum of Understanding for residency program enrollment;
  4. Official transcripts and certification of podiatric medical education;
  5. Official transcripts of premedical postsecondary education;
  6. Certification of license standing from any other states or countries in which a medical license has been held;
  7. Effective 1/1/05, passage of National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners Parts I & II exams;
  8. Letter from your residency director verifying enrollment in an approved residency program, indicating type of program, start and end dates.

Only the Application, Fees, Fingerprint information and Memorandum of Understanding are mailed directly to the BPM by the applicant. All other forms must be forwarded to appropriate agencies, which will return them directly to the BPM.

Renewal of Resident's License

A Resident's License is issued for a one-year period only. It must be renewed prior to continuing participation in any training program. The license can be renewed by asking your residency director to send a letter to the BPM verifying continuing participation, with new start and end dates. Applicants for a fourth-year resident's license must also hold a permanent license to practice podiatric medicine. No fee is required for Resident's License renewal.

Assistance with Applications

The BPM licensing staff is available at (916) 263-2647, 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to assist with any questions or problems.

Exemption for Programs on Federal Reservations

Residents practicing in a Veterans Administration facility are not required to hold a resident's license unless rotations are conducted outside the VA facility.

Revised October 2007

Fact Sheets