When working as a chiropodist, a distinction is made between cosmetic and medical foot care. Cosmetic foot care (on healthy feet) can be practiced without a license, but must be registered with the trade office. Medical foot care or podiatry is classified by law as a medical profession and therefore requires a license. It involves treatment of the healthy foot, the foot that is at risk of damage and/or the foot that is already damaged.

If you want to use the professional title podiatrist or medical chiropodist, you need either the permission or the authorization or state recognition according to the podiatry law (PodG). Exceptions and special case groups are also regulated in the law.

Permission is granted - upon application - if the applicant has

• has completed the prescribed training and passed the state examination,
• has not been guilty of any conduct that would render him/her unreliable to practice the profession,
• is fit to practice the profession from the point of view of health, and
• has the knowledge of the German language required for the exercise of the profession.

Recognition of foreign degrees is possible according to the Podiatry Act if the level of training is equivalent. Special recognition guidelines apply to the recognition of degrees acquired in EU member states. The occupational title can also be used if the applicant

• submits proof that the training as a podiatrist or podologist has already been recognized in another contracting state of the European Economic Area,
• has three years of professional experience in podiatry in the Member State which recognized the evidence of formal qualifications, and
• the Member State which recognized the training attests to this professional experience.