A podiatrist completes a four year medical degree following graduation from college. The first two years are basic sciences courses and are often taken with other medical students. The final two years concentrate on diseases and conditions specific to the lower extremities.

The podiatrist is the medical specialty dedicated to the foot and leg. Following graduation from a college of podiatric medicine, most podiatrists, depending upon their interests, go on to internships and residency programs ranging from one to three years of postgraduate study.

Board certification is generally required for admission to most hospital staffs and podiatrists are licensed in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.