31209 – Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
TEER 1Occupations usually requiring a university degree
Lead statement
Doctors of podiatric medicine diagnose and treat diseases, deformities and injuries of the human foot.
Main duties
- Diagnose diseases, deformities and injuries of the human foot and communicate diagnoses to patients
- Treat patients using braces, casts, shields, orthotic devices, physical therapy, or prescribed medications
- May also perform surgery on the bones of the forefoot and the subcutaneous soft tissues of the foot.
- Diagnose diseases, deformities and injuries of the human foot
- Treat patients using braces, casts, shields, orthotic devices, physical therapy and subcutaneous soft-tissue foot surgery.
- Diagnose patients' diseases and disorders
- Employ natural methods of healing such as acupuncture and acupressure, spinal manipulation, reflexology, hydrotherapy, herbal medicines, biochemical therapy, clinical nutrition, homeopathy and counselling in their treatment.
- Diagnose disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal, circulatory and nervous systems
- Treat patients with manipulative therapy, medications or surgery.
Employment requirements
- A four-year doctoral degree program in podiatric medicine available in the United States and in Quebec, normally following completion of a bachelor's degree program, is required.
- A medical residency is required in Alberta and British Columbia.
- A doctor of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.) degree is required to practice podiatry in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
- An advanced three-year diploma program in chiropody (DCh) obtained in Canada ora first-degree program in podiatric medicine (D.Pod.M.) obtained abroad (United Kingdom) is usually required.
- A licence is required in New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
- A university degree in pre-medical science is required.
- Completion of a university program in naturopathic medicine, obtained abroad ora four-year program in naturopathic medicine from a private institute is required.
- A licence is required in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
- A bachelor's degree is required for admission to a doctor of osteopathic medicine program.
- A four-year program in osteopathic medicine leading to a doctor of osteopathy degree anda minimum three year medical residency are required. These qualifications are obtained in the United States.
- Completion of certifying examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canadaandlicensing by the provincial or territorial licensing authority are required.
Example job titles
doctor of podiatry · doctor of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.) · chiropodist · podiatrist · naturopathic doctor (ND) · naturopathic physician · doctor of naturopathic medicine · doctor of naturopathy · naturopath - physician · osteopath - physician · doctor of osteopathy · osteopathic physician · doctor of osteopathic medicine
Wages (per year)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $32,867 | $56,800 | $123,000 |
| Quebec | $33,109 | $46,800 | $123,000 |
| Ontario | $37,561 | $62,000 | $122,000 |
| Alberta | $32,867 | $64,000 | $139,000 |
| British Columbia | $37,929 | $71,500 | $124,000 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.