Resources
Annual Seminar
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GXMO
DPM Scope of Practice
Latest Information About Ohio Laws and Regulations
Scope of Practice - Ohio Revised Code
Anti Fee Discrimination Provision
APMA State Reference Manual
Part A Scope Of Practice Provisions (April 2006)
Defining Practice of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
Please follow the link to the Ohio Revised Code 4731.51
Definition of Foot
Please follow the link to the Ohio Administrative Code 4731-20-01
Surgical Privileges for the Podiatric Physician & Surgeon
Please follow the link to the Ohio Administrative Code 4731-20-02 Surgery: ankle joint
Biopsies - Punch and Shave Below the Knee
The State Medical Board of Ohio has determined that it is within the scope of practice for an Ohio podiatric physicians to perform punch or shave biopsies of suspicious lesions on the lower leg or hand where the podiatric physician has expertise in performing biopsies. (March 19, 2018)
Bone Graft Harvest from the Proximal Tibia
The State Medical Board of Ohio determined that harvesting of a bone graft from the proximal tibia to be used for foot and ankle surgery is NOT within the podiatric scope of practice as defined in the Ohio Revised Code and Administrative Code. (June 12, 2019)
Bone Marrow Aspirate Harvest from the Proximal Tibia
The State Medical Board of Ohio determined in 2019 that harvesting of bone marrow aspirate is a component of podiatric training, whether in podiatric medical school, residency or continuing education. It is clear that an appropriately trained podiatrist MAY aspirate bone marrow from the foot.
The State Medical Board of Ohio released the following statement in December, 2021:
Previously the State Medical Board of Ohio (Board) issued a position statement relative to whether the performing of a supramalleolar osteotomy of the tibia and fibula and the harvest of bone marrow aspirate from the proximal tibia are within the scope of practice of podiatry.
Earlier this year, the State Medical Board of Ohio (Board) began the process of drafting administrative rules relative to this issue. As always, public input is large part of the rule making process. Board staff spent significant time talking with medical professionals and hospital systems regarding the performance of these treatments as well as soliciting additional public input.
Based upon this gathered information, the Board determined that it has acted prematurely in this matter and that additional legislative guidance is necessary. Therefore, the Board is withdrawing its statement on these two procedures. It is our understanding that podiatrists were credentialed to perform these procedures prior to the issuance of the Board’s statement in 2019. It is recommended that providers work with their hospital systems and legal counsel going forward.
External Fixation
On June 11, 2009 the State Medical Board of Ohio approved the Scope of Practice Committee's determination that an Ohio podiatric physician who has successfully completed appropriate training may use and place external fixation apparatus for the relief of foot and ankle pathologies or to surgically correct and immobilize the ankle when the procedure is medically appropriate.
Hand Procedures - Surgical Removal of Ingrown Nails from the Hands
"Section 4731.51, ORC, states that a podiatrist may treat superficial lesions of the hand other than those associated with trauma. Warts are caused by viruses not trauma. Accordingly, the surgical removal of warts from the hands is within the scope of practice of an appropriately trained podiatric physician when the wart did not result from trauma." (June 12, 2019)
Hand Procedures - Surgical Excise of Warts from the Hands
The State Medical Board of Ohio determined that a podiatrist may treat superficial lesions of the hand other than those associated with trauma. "Accordingly, the surgical removal of ingrown nails from the hands is within the scope of practice of a podiatric physician when the ingrown nail did not result from trauma." (June 12, 2019)
History Physicals In Ambulatory Surgical Centers
History and Physical Privileges for Foot and Ankle Surgeons - ACFAS Position Statement Copyright American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, 2017 - All rights reserved
Hospital Privileges And Medical Staff Provision
ORC on Hospital Admitting Privileges -
Legislative Bill: http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=125_HB_189
Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Therapy
HB 216, added Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Supervision provisions for the DPM Scope of Practice in Ohio, takes effect on April 6, 2017. The language in the Bill includes the following: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be ordered by a podiatrist to treat ailments within the scope of practice of podiatry as set forth in this section and, in accordance with section 4731.511 of the Revised Code, the podiatrist may supervise hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of such ailments. Please click here for the information from the State Medical Board of Ohio
Laser Treatment For Hands
The State Medical Board of Ohio determined that an Ohio podiatric physician who has successfully completed appropriate training may, as medically appropriate, provide treatment of fingernail fungus in podiatric patients and for treatment of scars on the hand when the etiology is not associated with trauma.
Medication Reconciliation
The State Medical Board of Ohio affirmed that a podiatric physician does not exceed the podiatric scope of practice by continuing a previously prescribed medication for a medical condition that is not within the podiatric scope of practice. Medication reconciliation does not equate to prescribing or ordering medication. Whether the surgery is inpatient or outpatient, medication reconciliation ensures that all medication previously prescribed for the patient are carried through to the next transition point.
Medical and Physician Assistant Information
Medical Assistants are not a licensed/regulated profession in Ohio, so there are no standards in place for training, education or scope of practice for this profession. Physician Assistants, on the other hand, are regulated by the Medical Board with educational standards, training requirements, a required national certification examination, and scope of practice defined in Ohio statute and rule in Chapter 4730. Regulation of physician assistants is outlined in Ohio statute and rule in Chapter 4730-1. A medical assistant cannot practice as a Physician Assistant, please click here for definitions of Delegation of Medical Tasks and click here for a letter from the state medical board outlining medical assistants activities.
Patient Record Retention and 2022 Medical Records Copy Costs
Peroneal Nerve Decompression Procedure
The State Medical Board of Ohio affirmed that "an Ohio podiatric physician who has successfully completed appropriate training may perform peroneal nerve decompression for the relief of foot and ankle pathologies, such as diabetic neuropathy, when the procedure is medically appropriate." (September 12, 2007)
Pneumatic Compression Devices
The State Medical Board of Ohio affirmed that "Consistent with these earlier responses, a podiatric physician may provide acute treatment for a venous stasis ulcer associated with chronic venous insufficiency appearing below the knee. A podiatric physician may also treat the post-operative secondary lymphedema associated with a foot or ankle procedure. Finally, a podiatric physician may prescribe a pneumatic compression device for the treatment of the local manifestations of secondary lymphedema or chronic venous insufficiency with venous stasis ulcers so long as the patient is referred for appropriate medical management for the primary medical condition. (September 19, 2011)
Split Thickness Skin Grafts
The State Medical Board of Ohio affirmed that "an appropriately trained podiatric physician may perform split thickness skin grafts whereby skin is harvested from the anterior thigh for grafting to an area below the knee when the procedure is medically appropriate for the treatment of foot and ankle pathologies." (September 12, 2007)
Supramalleolar Osteotomy of the Tibia or Fibula to Correct a Deformity
The State Medical Board of Ohio confirmed that "a supramalleolar ostetomy of the tibia or fibula constitutes ankle surgery, as defined in Rule 4731-20-02, OAC, and is within the podaitric scope of practice of an appropriately trained podiatric physician..." (June 12, 2019)
The State Medical Board of Ohio released the following statement in December, 2021:
Previously the State Medical Board of Ohio (Board) issued a position statement relative to whether the performing of a supramalleolar osteotomy of the tibia and fibula and the harvest of bone marrow aspirate from the proximal tibia are within the scope of practice of podiatry.
Earlier this year, the State Medical Board of Ohio (Board) began the process of drafting administrative rules relative to this issue. As always, public input is large part of the rule making process. Board staff spent significant time talking with medical professionals and hospital systems regarding the performance of these treatments as well as soliciting additional public input.
Based upon this gathered information, the Board determined that it has acted prematurely in this matter and that additional legislative guidance is necessary. Therefore, the Board is withdrawing its statement on these two procedures. It is our understanding that podiatrists were credentialed to perform these procedures prior to the issuance of the Board’s statement in 2019. It is recommended that providers work with their hospital systems and legal counsel going forward.
Surgical Procedures
The State Medical Board of Ohio clarified that the performance of tibial or fibular osteotomy, total ankle replacement, and bone callus distraction of the foot and ankle are within the scope of practice of an Ohio podiatric physician when the podiatric physician can demonstrate adequate education, training, and experience needed to conform to minimal standards of care and holds privileges to perform the procedure at a Joint Commission accredited hospital, Ohio licensed ambulatory surgical center, or approved college of podiatric medicine and surgery.
Telemedicine Frequently Asked Questions
Since the telemedicine FAQs were published on July 16, 2021, the Medical Board has received several situation specific questions. While the Board is unable to give specific legal advice, they would like to provide the general decision-making framework of telemedicine in Ohio to help licensees and other interested parties apply that to their particular situations. This first set of General Questions are intended to provide that framework for understanding telemedicine as well as references to more specific information in other FAQs in this document. (Note: These FAQs were updated by the State Medical Board of Ohio on November 10, 2021 and reflect the laws and rules in effect on that date.)
Venous Leg Ulcers
The State Medical Board of Ohio affirmed that "The required expertise to provide wound care is not dependent upon the site or etiology of the wound as the same knowledge and skills are required whether the site is above or below the ankle and no matter the etiology. For this reason it is clear that the medical services a podiatric physician may perform include, as medically appropriate, the treatment of foot and ankle pathologies through wound care services applied to wounds that are located below the knee distally".
