Chiropodist vs. Podiatrist: What's the Difference in Ontario?

In Ontario, chiropodists and podiatrists are both regulated foot specialists registered with the same regulatory body — the College of Chiropodists of Ontario. For the vast majority of foot problems — heel pain, ingrown toenails, corns and calluses, fungal nails, diabetic foot care, and custom orthotics — a registered chiropodist is fully qualified to assess and treat you.

The difference comes down to history and training pathway, not quality of care. Ontario stopped registering new podiatrists in 1993, which means chiropodists are the primary — and most accessible — foot care providers in the province today.

A chiropodist is a regulated health professional who holds an advanced Diploma in Chiropody (D.Ch), typically from The Michener Institute of Education at UHN in Toronto — a rigorous three-year post-graduate program focused entirely on foot health.

Ontario chiropodists are trained and authorized to:

• Assess and diagnose conditions of the foot and lower limb
• Perform soft tissue surgery on the foot, including ingrown toenail procedures
• Prescribe certain medications, including antibiotics and antifungals relevant to foot care
• Administer local anaesthetic injections
• Prescribe and fabricate custom orthotics
• Provide wound care and diabetic foot management

Every practising chiropodist must be registered with the College of Chiropodists of Ontario, complete continuing education, and follow strict infection control standards.

In Ontario, "podiatrist" refers to a specific group of practitioners — mostly trained in the United States as Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) — who were registered in the province before 1993. Since then, Ontario has not registered new podiatrists, so their numbers have been steadily declining.

Ontario podiatrists have a slightly broader scope than chiropodists: they can communicate a diagnosis to patients, take and interpret X-rays, and perform surgery on the bones of the forefoot. However, both professions are regulated by the same College and held to the same professional standards.

It is worth noting that in other provinces (like British Columbia and Alberta) and in the United States, "podiatrist" is the standard title for all foot specialists — which is why the terminology can be confusing for patients who move to or research foot care in Ontario.

For almost all foot and ankle complaints, a registered chiropodist is the right choice in Ontario — and often the only practical one, since podiatrists are increasingly rare in the province.

See a chiropodist for:

• Heel pain and plantar fasciitis
• Ingrown or painful toenails
• Fungal nail infections
• Corns and calluses
• Plantar warts
• Diabetic foot assessments
• Custom orthotics and biomechanical issues

If your condition requires bone surgery or advanced imaging, your chiropodist will refer you to the appropriate specialist — typically an orthopaedic surgeon.

Is a chiropodist a real doctor? Chiropodists are regulated healthcare professionals, not physicians. They are foot specialists with focused training in lower-limb health, registered with the College of Chiropodists of Ontario.

Do I need a referral to see a chiropodist? No. You can book directly with a chiropodist in Ontario — no doctor's referral is required, although some insurance plans may ask for one for reimbursement purposes.

Is chiropody covered by insurance? Most extended health benefit plans cover chiropody services. Foot Forward Clinic offers direct billing to many insurers. Read more in our guide: Does OHIP Cover Chiropody Services in Ontario?

Ready to see a foot specialist? Foot Forward Clinic's registered chiropodists serve Vaughan, Maple, Woodbridge, and Thornhill. Book online or call (647) 689-7533.