IdahoIdaho's podiatry law sets licensing and surgery limits
Starting July 1, 2026, Idaho's podiatry law assigns licensing and discipline to the State Board of Medicine and limits the work podiatrists may do.
What it does
Podiatrists must hold a state license. Applicants need approved education and residency, must pass an exam and background check, and must complete continuing education to renew.
Podiatrists may treat the foot and leg, but the law bars certain operations and general anesthesia. Advanced surgery must take place in an accredited facility with peer review.
The State Board of Medicine may discipline podiatrists for listed violations. Practicing or claiming to practice podiatry without a license is a felony.
Argument forPatients may get safer care because podiatrists must be licensed, and advanced surgery must take place in accredited facilities with peer review.
Argument againstApplicants may face costs and barriers from fees, background checks, education and residency requirements, exams, and continuing education.
More detail
The law requires a license to practice podiatry and assigns the State Board of Medicine licensing and discipline duties. Applicants must meet education, residency, exam, and background check requirements. Licensees must complete 30 hours of relevant continuing education every two years to renew. The act took effect July 1, 2026.
The law limits podiatry to treating the human foot and leg and restricts some surgery. Podiatrists may treat the foot and leg. The law defines surgical treatment to cover the foot and ankle and certain soft tissues below the knee. Podiatrists may not amputate a leg, operate on the knee joint or specified bones above the lower leg, or give or monitor general anesthesia. Advanced surgical procedures must take place in a licensed hospital or certified surgery center accredited by the Joint Commission or the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, with peer review in place. The act took effect July 1, 2026.
The law allows the State Board of Medicine to discipline podiatrists and makes practicing podiatry without a license a felony. These rules cover podiatrists and people who practice or claim to provide podiatry without a license. Discipline may include license limits or loss, probation, a public reprimand, a fine of up to $10,000 per offense, or investigation and legal costs. The felony provision covers unlicensed practice, attempts to practice, public advertising as a podiatrist, and holding oneself out as treating foot ailments. The act took effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 30Reported Signed by Governor Brad Little on March 27, 2026 Session Law Chapter 217 Effective: 07/01/2026; 07/01/2026 IDAPA Sunset Clause - SECTION 6Became Law
- Mar 27Delivered to Governor at 12:01 p.m. on March 27, 2026To Governor
- Mar 27Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to GovernorMinor
- Mar 26Signed by President; returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 26Received from the House enrolled/signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 26Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to SenateMajor
- Mar 25Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for EnrollingMinor
- Vote recorded Read third time in full –. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 25Read third time in full – PASSED - 34-0-1AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke(Bjerke), Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Toews, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, Woodward, Zito, ZuiderveldNAYS – NoneAbsent and excused – HartFloor Sponsor - LakeyTitle apvd - to HousePassed 2nd Chamber
- Mar 20Read second time; filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 19Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second readingMinor
- Mar 13Introduced, read first time; referred to: Commerce & Human ResourcesMinor
- Mar 13Received from the House passed; filed for first reading
- Mar 12Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 67-1-2AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Cheatum, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson(Larsen), Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Haws, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Leavitt, Manwaring, Marmon, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Rasor, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Rubel, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – BerchAbsent – Church, SkaugFloor Sponsor - EhlersTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Read Third Time in Full –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 11Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 10Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 2Reported Printed and Referred to Business
- Feb 27Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for PrintingIntroduced
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