How to become a professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
Official title: Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
Also called: Podiatrist, Chiropodist, Foot specialist, Doctor of podiatry, Doctor of osteopathy, Doctor of naturopathy, Osteopath - physician, Osteopathic physician, Naturopath - physician, Naturopathic physician, Naturopathic doctor (nd), Doctor of osteopathic medicine
Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating, who are not elsewhere classified, diagnose and treat the diseases and injuries of patients. This unit group includes doctors of podiatric medicine, naturopathic medicine and osteopathic medicine, and also includes chiropodists and podiatrists. They work in private practices, clinics and hospitals.
Main tasks
- Doctors of podiatric medicine
- Diagnose diseases, deformities and injuries of the human foot and communicate diagnoses to patients
- Treat patients using braces, casts, shields, orthotic devices, physical therapy, or prescribed medications
- May also perform surgery on the bones of the forefoot and the subcutaneous soft tissues of the foot
- Chiropodists and diploma or first-degree trained podiatrists
- Diagnose diseases, deformities and injuries of the human foot
- Treat patients using braces, casts, shields, orthotic devices, physical therapy and subcutaneous soft-tissue foot surgery
- Doctors of naturopathic medicine
How to become one
Doctors of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.) A four-year doctoral degree program in podiatric medicine available in the United States and in Quebec, normally following completion of a bachelor's degree program, is required. A medical residency is required in Alberta and British Columbia. A doctor of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.) degree is required to practice podiatry in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. Chiropodists and podiatrists An advanced three-year diploma program in chiropody (DCh) obtained in Canada or a first-degree program in podiatric medicine (D.Pod.M.) obtained abroad (United Kingdom) is usually required. A licence is required in New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Doctors of naturopathic medicine A university degree in pre-medical science is required. Completion of a university program in naturopathic medicine, obtained abroad or a four-year program in naturopathic medicine from a private institute is required. A licence is required in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Doctors of osteopathic medicine A bachelor's degree is required for admission to a doctor of osteopathic medicine program. A four-year program in osteopathic medicine leading to a doctor of osteopathy degree and a minimum three-year medical residency are required. These qualifications are obtained in the United States. Completion of certifying examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and licensing by the provincial or territorial licensing authority are required.
Ways in
- University: Medicine & Dentistry degrees, Offered by 15 universities in Canada
- University: Health & Public Health degrees, Offered by 16 universities in Canada
- Licence or registration: A licence is required in New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. A licence is required in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Completion of certifying examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and licensing by the provincial or territorial licensing authority are required.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $56,800 a year The middle half earn $26,000 to $86,000.
- About 8,700 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 11,200 are projected by 2033. (+28.7%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: moderate risk of shortage.
Related jobs
- Psychologists
- Chiropractors
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational therapists
- Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
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Questions people ask
How do I become a professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating?
Doctors of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.) A four-year doctoral degree program in podiatric medicine available in the United States and in Quebec, normally following completion of a bachelor's degree program, is required. A medical residency is required in Alberta and British Columbia. A doctor of podiatric medicine (D.P.M.) degree is required to practice podiatry in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. Chiropodists and podiatrists An advanced three-year diploma program in chiropody (DCh) obtained in Canada or a first-degree program in podiatric medicine (D.Pod.M.) obtained abroad (United Kingdom) is usually required. A licence is required in New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Doctors of naturopathic medicine A university degree in pre-medical science is required. Completion of a university program in naturopathic medicine, obtained abroad or a four-year program in naturopathic medicine from a private institute is required. A licence is required in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Doctors of osteopathic medicine A bachelor's degree is required for admission to a doctor of osteopathic medicine program. A four-year program in osteopathic medicine leading to a doctor of osteopathy degree and a minimum three-year medical residency are required. These qualifications are obtained in the United States. Completion of certifying examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and licensing by the provincial or territorial licensing authority are required.
How much does a professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $56,800 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $26,000 to $86,000.
Is a professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 29% by 2033, from about 8,700 to about 11,200 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating?
Usually. 75% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03