Maryland Podiatry Licensing and Its Contingent Compact Law

Maryland comes up in two different conversations about podiatry licensing. One is practical: how does a podiatrist licensed in Virginia, Pennsylvania or Delaware get a Maryland license? The other is about the future: Maryland was one of the first states to enact the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact. The second does not help with the first yet, and it is worth being clear about why.

Does Maryland license podiatrists by endorsement?

Not under its podiatry statute. Maryland Health Occupations Article 16-302 lists the qualifications, and it has no section that waives examination for a podiatrist licensed elsewhere. Every applicant must:

• be of good moral character and at least 18;
• be a graduate of a podiatric college accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education and approved by the board;
• pass "the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners licensing examination"; and
• pass "a written examination on the Board's statute and regulations" given by the board under 16-304.

The board may also require a postgraduate podiatric residency (16-302(f)), must require a demonstration of oral competency in English (16-302(g)), and requires a state and national criminal history records check (16-302(h), 16-303(a)). Graduation from an English-speaking undergraduate school after at least three years of enrollment, or from an English-speaking professional school, counts as proof of oral English proficiency.

For podiatrists already in practice, 16-303(b) adds one more requirement: an applicant who "is licensed and has practiced in another state" must "submit proof of practice that is sufficient to demonstrate current clinical proficiency, as specified in regulations adopted by the Board." Plan to document your recent practice, not just your license.

What is the Maryland law exam?

Section 16-304 requires the board to give its examination on the board's statute and regulations at least twice a year, in writing, and to set its scope, form and passing score. The board notifies each qualified applicant of the exam's requirements and acts on results promptly. It is a board exam, so its dates depend on the board, not on a testing vendor's calendar. Because every applicant takes it, including experienced podiatrists, it belongs on the timeline from the start. Our endorsement overview lists the other states where a law exam applies to everyone.

Does a Maryland license reach the leg?

Section 16-101(f) defines practicing podiatry as diagnosing or surgically, medically or mechanically treating "the human foot or ankle, the anatomical structures that attach to the human foot, or the soft tissue below the mid-calf." It excludes administering any anesthetic other than a local anesthetic. The mid-calf reach matters for wound-care podiatrists, since it goes beyond the ankle; see how far up the leg a podiatrist can treat wounds and the scope by state page.

The board's website also links to a permit to dispense and to obtaining a CDS (controlled dangerous substances) license, separate steps for podiatrists who dispense or prescribe. See state controlled-substance licenses.

How does renewal work?

Under 16-307, a license may not be renewed for a term longer than two years. The board sends a renewal notice at least a month before expiration, and renewal requires the fee and evidence of any continuing education the board sets. There is a 30-day grace period after expiration; after that the license lapses into nonrenewal status and the board may require reinstatement under 16-308.

What did Maryland's compact law do?

In 2026 the General Assembly passed SB 333 (cross-filed as HB 619), and the Governor approved it on April 14, 2026, as Chapter 71. The Department of Legislative Services lists its effective date as October 1, 2026, with a contingency, and the synopsis says the Act is "contingent on the enactment of substantially similar provisions in four other states."

That contingency is the important part. The compact's model law says it becomes effective when at least four states enact it. Maryland's own law goes further and waits for four other states. Iowa enacted the compact when its Governor approved HF 2498 on June 2, 2026, but Maryland's law needs four states besides Maryland. There is no compact commission, no application and no fee. The podiatry compact is not active, and Maryland's enactment does not give anyone a privilege to practice there. See where the podiatry compact stands for the current list.

Would you qualify when the compact does start?

Perhaps not, even then. The model law's definition of an eligible podiatric physician requires CPME-accredited education, APMLE Parts I, II and III, a CPME-approved residency, specialty certification from a CPME-recognized board, a full and unrestricted license, no criminal conviction or deferred adjudication of any kind, and no license discipline outside fee-related matters. A podiatrist who is not board certified, or who has any past discipline, will still need the ordinary Maryland license. And the IPMLC's own one-pager says compacts "can take up to 24 months to become fully operational after activation." See who would qualify for the podiatry compact.

How can we help with Maryland?

Because Maryland has no endorsement route, a Maryland file is our Full State Podiatry License Application, $899, and most clients add Jurisprudence and State Exam Logistics ($249) for the board's law exam, which you sit yourself. We prepare the application for your signature, request your school, exam and license verifications, assemble the proof of current clinical practice the board asks of out-of-state podiatrists, schedule the criminal history records check, and track the board. You sign, test and pay the board directly. Our free Compact Notification List will tell you if the compact ever becomes active; until then, a state license is the only way to practice in Maryland. See the Maryland state page for current requirements.