A Chiropodist is a primary health care provider who assesses and treats a multitude of general and preventative foot conditions. Treating all levels of the foot from skin and nail infections to bone and joint pain. While a physician’s referral is not required, many physicians and other medical professionals refer their patients for consultation. A consultation includes a full history and foot exam as the basis of a comprehensive management plan for your foot care.


There is no denying that the two titles cause some confusion. The simple answer is that there is no significant difference between Chiropodists and Podiatrists in Ontario. Both professions are regulated by the College of Chiropodists of Ontario. The difference in title is determined by which country the chiropody or podiatry degree was obtained.

The practitioners using the title Podiatrist in Ontario graduated outside of Ontario (in the US for example) and moved to Ontario before 1993. Any Podiatrists graduating and moving to Ontario after 1993 are registered as Chiropodists in the province of Ontario. There have been no new Podiatrists registered in Ontario for the past 24 years.

Chiropodists and Podiatrists are both primary health care providers specializing in the assessment and treatment of lower limb disorders. Both Chiropodists and Podiatrists can prescribe drugs, assess, and treat foot and ankle problems, perform soft tissue surgeries, prescribe custom orthotics and orthopedic shoes. Podiatrists trained in US before 1993 have a slightly expanded scope of practice that includes bone surgery in the foot.

Julia graduated in 1994 and has been registered with the College of Chiropodists of Ontario since that time.


Chiropodists undergo extensive training including a bachelor’s degree in science plus a 3–4 year Chiropody/Podiatry program. Presently there are 7 American Podiatry schools and 1 Canadian Chiropody school.

Many Chiropodists have taken 7 or 8 years of post secondary school training before beginning to practice


The scope of practice varies from province to province, but generally practitioners will have several controlled acts.

These include the treatment of:

Structural and Bone Deformities
Biomechanical/Gait Analysis
Subcutaneous Lesions including Corns, Callus warts
Generic and Customized Orthotics
Generic/Orthopaedic and Custom Footwear
Soft tissue surgery: Ingrown Nails, etc.
Wound Care: Venous, Arterial Ulcers
High Risk and Routine Foot Care
Pediatrics