You want an experienced and caring podiatrist to manage your foot health, so there are a few things you should look for in your foot specialist. First and foremost, you need a doctor with a DPM degree: a doctor of podiatric medicine. These foot specialists attended a four-year podiatry school after receiving their bachelors, and then went on to complete a multi-year podiatry residency. You should also make sure your doctor is board certified—the two main certifying boards for the field at the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. You need a physician with certification from one or both of these.