Application & Instructions for Initial Licensure - Podiatry

Log in to LaMED DashBoard to begin a new online initial application, complete a previously started (and saved) online initial application or to check the status of your completed online initial application.

The items listed below MUST be completed and mailed to the LSBME as part of the initial application process.

Note: notarized documents must be signed in the presence of a notary

Oath or Affirmation
This form must be notarized. All yes answers must be accompanied by a sworn affidavit. A sworn affidavit is an explanation (in applicant’s own words) that must be typed and notarized. Note: If criminal history is found that was not disclosed, you will be required to submit a new Oath or Affirmation, a notarized affidavit as to why you did not disclose the information and a new processing fee equal to the initial licensure fee. It is important that you answer question 3 accurately and truthfully. Do not take the advice of friends, lawyer, etc.

Third Party Authorization
This form must be notarized. It authorizes LSBME to obtain information concerning the applicant from third parties.

Certificate of Dean/Registrar
This form must be notarized. Complete Section 1 as directed (a passport quality photo is required) and mail to professional school/university for completion of Section 2. The school/university must mail the completed form directly to LSBME.

Photograph
   A passport quality photograph must be submitted.  This photo must be a 2"x2" clear, head and shoulders photo taken within the last 6 months.

Background Check
LSBME conducts background checks as part of the application process. Instructions and forms can be found at the link above.

Qualifications

§1305.  Qualifications for License
To be eligible for a license, an applicant shall:
1. possess a doctor of podiatric medicine or equivalent degree duly issued and conferred by a podiatric school or college approved by the board;
2. have taken and passed all three parts of the examination offered by the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners;
3. have completed at least one year of postgraduate podiatric training in an internship or equivalent program accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association
§1321.  Qualification for Podiatry Licensure by Reciprocity
A.  An applicant who possesses and meets all of the qualifications and requirements specified by §1305 of this Chapter, except for the requirement of successfully passing the examination specified by §1305.A.5 within the prior 10 years, shall nonetheless be eligible for licensing if such applicant possesses, as of the time the application is filed and at the time the board passes upon such application, a current, unrestricted license to practice podiatry issued by the podiatry licensing authority of another state and the applicant has, within 10 years prior to the date of application, taken and successfully passed a written certification or recertification examination administered by a specialty board recognized by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association.
B.   An applicant who possesses all of the qualifications for licensure by reciprocity specified by Subsection A of this Section, except for the requirement of having taken or passed a written certification or recertification examination within 10 years of the date of application, shall nonetheless be considered eligible for licensure by reciprocity if such applicant has, within 10 years prior to the date of application, taken and successfully passed the National Boards Part III or the podiatric medical licensure examination administered by the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners, or such other examination or competency testing, as may be designated and approved by the board following consultation with the board's Podiatry Advisory Committee.
C.   An applicant who possess all of the qualifications for licensure by reciprocity specified by Subsections A and B of this Section who has not continuously practiced podiatry over the two years immediately prior to submission of an application to the board shall, as an additional requirement for eligibility for licensure by reciprocity, demonstrate competency by the successful passage of an examination or by such other testing as may be designated and approved by the board following consultation with the board's Podiatry Advisory Committee.
§1381.  Registration for Postgraduate Year One Registration
As used in this Section, postgraduate year one (PGY-1) or internship means the first year of postgraduate podiatric training, following graduation from a school or college of podiatry, that is approved by the Council of Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association, or its successor, and the board. For purposes of this Section PGY-1 includes only the first year of any such training following graduation from a podiatry school or college and does not include training which may be designated PGY-1 level subsequent to prior training at such level in any specialty, field, or program.

Additional Requirements

Fees
Licensure $325.00
Internship Registration $50.00
Fee must be paid via credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover only).
​Fee is non-refundable.

Birth Certificate/Valid Visa

  • U.S. citizen - submit a notarized or certified copy of your birth certificate.
  • U.S. citizen not born in the U.S. - submit a notarized copy of your certificate of citizenship, consular report of birth abroad or certificate of naturalization.
  • Non-U.S. citizen - submit a notarized copy of current proof of citizenship.  Acceptable forms of citizenship are an H1B Visa, J1 Visa, O1 Visa, TN Visa, Permanent Resident card or Employment Authorization card.
  • Louisiana law (LA RS: 37.12) requires a valid permit to live and work in the United States to practice medicine.
  • J1 Visas are structured for training and educational purposes only.  The typical sponsor for a Medical Doctor’s J1 Visa is the ECFMG.  A J1 visa is not for employment outside of a formal training program.
  • H1B Visas are intended for those who are performing a specialized service or occupation.  These Visas are usually sponsored by hospitals or a particular employer.
  • The LSBME works with the United States INS to grant interlocking letters to obtain an effective date for the H1B Visa.  The effective date of the Visa will be the effective date of the Louisiana license or permit issued by the LSBME.
  • The applicant’s employer usually needs a valid LSBME license to complete the credentialing process for hospitals, insurance companies, and professional liability insurers.  Therefore, the licensure applicant should work with the United States INS Visa sponsor to set the effective date for the Visa. 

Marriage Certificate/Name Change
Application for certification in a name other than what appears on the birth certificate requires a notarized copy of official documentation of name change (ie marriage certificate).

Notarization as a “True Copy”
   Request the notary to certify a copy of your birth certificate and/or marriage certificate as a “true and correct copy of the original”. If the notary will not notarize the copy,
   you can attest that it is a “true and correct copy of the original”. The notary can then notarize your signature.

Professional School Transcript
An official transcript must be mailed from your professional school directly to LSBME.

Verification of Other Licenses
Verification of all state licenses are required.  Contact the state board(s) directly to obtain verification of your license.  Please note, there may be a processing fee needed.​

Verification of Internship
A verification of internship/residency must be received by LSBME directly from the Council of Podiatric Medical Examiners. Contact CPME at (301) 581-9200 x291 or fax your request to (301) 571-4903.

Request for Part I, II and III Scores

Request for Part I and Part II scores:
National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners
http://www.nbpme.info/PDFs/NBPME%20Request%20for%20Scores_20090504.pdf (link is external)

Request for PMLexis/Part III score:
Federation of Podiatric Medical Boards
https://www.fpmb.org/orderreports/ (link is external)

Board Certification
If Part III of the NBPME examination has not been taken and passed within the last 10 years, a written certification or recertification exam administered by a specialty board recognized by the Council of Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association must have been taken and passed.

American Board of Podiatric Medicine 
3812 Sepulveda Boulevard, Suite 530   
Torrance, California 90505    
310-375-0700      
American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery
445 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, California 94117
415-553-7800

Postgraduate Year One (Internship) Registration
In addition to all other application requirements, to be issued an Intern Permit a letter must be submitted from the program director of the hospital where the internship will be conducted. This letter must include the beginning and ending dates of the internship and must be mailed directly from the program director to LSBME.

Other Information
Verification of Application/Licensure Status - Visit our website at www.lsbme.la.gov and log on to your account to verify the progress/status of your application.

Communication with the Board
Mailing Address - LSBME, 630 Camp Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Questions - Contact our licensing department at licensing@lsbme.la.gov. To find the analyst directly assigned to your application, click on Contact Us.