Podiatrists

Israeli Licensing Procedures

Regulation of the Podiatry profession is currently under deliberation by the Supreme Court. The purpose of the current debate is aimed at defining a scope of practice for this profession.

According to Israeli law, podiatrists can perform invasive physical procedures (with the agreement of the patient).

Until the Supreme Court concludes its deliberations and issues a ruling, the Medical Professions Licensing Division is not permitted to issue any certificate recognizing professional standing in this field. In the interim, podiatrists who are licensed abroad are allowed to work in Israel. The individual hiring body determines the level and scope of practice. For example, Kupat cholim in Jerusalem does not hire podiatrists at all, but does hire chiropodists. In contrast, some hospitals have podiatrists in positions of unit directorships.

You may want to consider working from home or doing "house calls.” The pay for this type of work is often at a higher rate, though you do lose time due to travel.

Obtaining Malpractice Insurance

Podiatrists who are licensed abroad (but are not licensed in Israel) have the following options:

1. Obtain insurance through the Kupot (health clinics). The Kupot will hire podiatrists even without an Israeli license and Israeli insurance. However, there are not that many job opportunities through the Kupot; you need to get lucky.
2. Obtain insurance through the hiring body.
3. Investigate the option of obtaining insurance abroad, and working abroad periodically in order to maintain your insurance coverage. Foreign insurance packages frequently will cover the work that you do in Israel.

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