Which statement about corporate practice doctrine is most accurate?

• A. Podiatrists cannot practice in corporate settings
• B. Only non-podiatrists may own corporate practices
• C. Ownership and control must be held by licensed podiatrists or as allowed by state law
• D. Corporate practice doctrine does not apply to podiatry

Answer: (C)

Corporate practice doctrine centers on who may own and control the practice of podiatry. It requires that ownership and day-to-day control stay in the hands of licensed podiatrists, or be permissible only under state-law exceptions that allow sanctioned corporate ownership. This protects professional judgment and patient welfare by ensuring clinical decisions are made by qualified professionals rather than outside interests. In practice, non-podiatrists generally cannot own or direct a podiatry practice, and the doctrine does apply to podiatry in jurisdictions that enforce it. Some states may outline specific exceptions, but the guiding principle remains that ownership or control must be held by licensed podiatrists or as allowed by state law.