Enroll in undergraduate study and pass at least 90 semester hours or three years of undergraduate courses. Within the 90 units, students are required to take certain courses. The American Associate of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine list the required courses; eight to 12 units of biology, eight units of chemistry, eight units of organic chemistry, eight units of physics and eight to 12 units of English.
Register and pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
Apply to a college of podiatric medicine through the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS). The AACPMAS will accept one application and submit it to accredited podiatric schools. Applicants can pick which ones they want their application to be sent to.
Begin a four-year podiatric college program. The first two years include learning in the classroom and then spending the last two years in clinical rotations in hospitals and private practices. This will give students hands-on experiences with patients including physical examinations and diagnoses. Students will also need to pass National Board exams during their four-year program.
Graduate with a Doctor of Podiatrist Medicine degree.
Enter into a residency program. In a minimum of two years, graduates can learn more hands-on training in a residency program that is usually held in a hospital setting. Graduates do everything from helping with surgeries, pediatrics, orthopedics and more. The American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine states that graduates may choose a 24-month podiatric medicine and surgery residence or a 36-month podiatric medicine and surgery residence, which includes training in rear foot and ankle surgery.
Obtain your state license, which is required by all states to be able to practice podiatric medicine. Having a degree, passing the National Board exams and then passing oral and written exams will give podiatrists their state license. Each state will vary on the type of oral and written exam.