About Us

Podiatric Medical Board of California

The Podiatric Medical Board of California (PMBC or Board) is the licensing board under the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) responsible for the licensing, regulation, and discipline of the practice of podiatric medicine in the State of California. PMBC licenses and regulates Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs).

PMBC's stated values are consumer protection, effectiveness, fairness, professionalism, service, and transparency.

PMBC currently licenses approximately 2,000 podiatric practitioners statewide. PMBC issues three types of certificates related to podiatric medicine: DPMs, limited/resident certificate, and a fictitious name permit. The scope of practice for DPMs is defined in BPC 2472. Section 2472(b) states that,

"'podiatric medicine' means the diagnosis, medical, surgical, mechanical, manipulative, and electrical treatment of the human foot, including the ankle and tendons that insert into the foot and the nonsurgical treatment of the muscles and tendons of the leg governing the functions of the foot."

This means that DPMs are licensed to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and related structures including the tendons that insert into the foot and to diagnose and provide modalities.

One of the many important treatments provided by DPMs, is wound care in the lower limb which is commonly a result of the diabetes epidemic. DPMs are able to provide wound care below the tibial tubercle. Please feel free to consult with a licensed DPM in California if you find that you are in need of wound care suffered as a result of diabetic complications in the lower limb.

The Podiatric Medicine Practice Act is Article 22 of Chapter 5 (Medical Practice Act) of Division 2 (Healing Arts) of the Business and Professions Code (BPC 2460, et al). In brief, DPMs are practitioners of medicine diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the lower extremity (foot, ankle, muscles, and tendons of the leg governing their functions, and wound care below the tibial tubercle). In addition, DPMs are authorized by BPC, Section 2472 to perform as assistant surgeons in any surgical procedure, and they commonly are called upon to do so.

PMBC has recently assisted or sponsored legislation that has recently updated renewal requirements for DPMs (See AB 826); allowances for more equitable partnership terms (AB 834), and provided for limited podiatric radiography permits (AB 1704).

Vision

PMBC's vision is that all California licensed podiatric medical doctors will provide safe and competent foot and ankle care.

Mission

To protect and educate consumers of California through licensing, enforcement, and regulation of Doctors of Podiatric Medicine.

The Podiatric Medical Board of California strives to provide effective licensing and enforcement of podiatric physicians as a means to protect the public from any unfit and incompetent doctors practicing in this specialty field. Through the years, these efforts have been greatly assisted by a number of unique initiatives advanced and adopted by the Board that have sought not simply to maintain entry-level standards for podiatric physicians, but also to elevate professional competency standards, reduce medical error, and prevent patient harm.