Federation of Podiatric Medical Boards > About Us

Current News

2021 Annual Meeting

January 31, 2021

The Annual Meeting will be conducted via webinar on Friday, April 30 (2pm - 3:30pm EDT). Agenda items are welcomed, and details on how to connect to the webinar will be forthcoming for dues-paid Member Boards. The FPMB Executive Board will be held on Saturday, April 24.

FPMB Endorses Federal Legislation

October 23, 2020

The FPMB and 11 additional organizations have sent a letter to Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Michael Conaway (R-TX), and David Cicilline (D-RI) in support of the Occupational Licensing Board Antitrust Damages Relief Act of 2020 (H.R.8680).

APMLE & Licensing

September 16, 2020

The FPMB conducted an interactive webinar with Member Boards to present an overview of the role of APMLE exams in licensing and provided a framework to evaluate potential impacts of the NBPME's July 15, 2020 Part II CSPE announcement.

FPMB Data Initiative

May 1, 2020

The FPMB announced a new data initiative at its 2020 Annual Meeting on May 1, 2020. The FPMB will increase the depth and breadth of the state podiatric medical board data it collects, as well as start collecting podiatric physician licensure data. This information will be published via multiple platforms.

2020 Annual Meeting

May 1, 2020

The FPMB conducted its 2020 Annual Meeting on May 1, 2020. The presentations and topics of discussion included:

FPMB's COVID-19 Pandemic Response
APMA - Scope of Practice & Parity
Increasing Information Engagement
Open Forum

2020-2021 Executive Board

May 1, 2020

The FPMB Executive Board elected at the April 25, 2020 Executive Board meeting:

Dr. Bruce Saferin (OH) - President, Dr. Barbara Campbell (AZ) - Vice President, Dr. Leonard La Russa (GA) - Secretary-Treasurer, Dr. Judith Manzi (CA) - Director, Dr. Marlene Reid (IL), Dr. Jay LeBow (MD) - Director Emeritus, and Mr. Stoner - Executive Director (not pictured).

2020 Annual Meeting

April 15, 2020

The Annual Meeting will be conducted via webinar on Friday, May 1 at 2:00 PM EDT. Details on how to connect to the webinar will be forthcoming for dues-paid Member Boards.

The FPMB Executive Board has been rescheduled as a virtual meeting to be held on Saturday, April 15, 2020.

COVID-19

March 16, 2020

*** The FPMB continues to process Part I/II/III (PMLexis) Score and Disciplinary reports without interruption. ***

The FPMB has COVID-19 resources available for podiatrists and State Boards on its COVID-19 web page.

2020 Annual Meeting

January 31, 2020

The Annual Meeting will be conducted via webinar on Friday, May 1 (time TBD). Details on how to connect to the webinar will be forthcoming for dues-paid Member Boards.

The FPMB Executive Board is meeting in San Diego, California on May 1 & 2, 2020.

APMLE Score Reporting Anniversary

January 26, 2020

The FPMB has just completed one year of processing ALL APMLE score report requests (Part I/II/III). Due to the FPMB's implementation of online ordering, orders are processed same-day. Due to electronic delivery, many State Boards download reports in less than one (1) business day.

Exam Schedule & Score Release Dates

January 1, 2020

The APMLE has posted the exam schedule and score release dates for the Part I, II, II CSPE & III exams. The FPMB accepts pre-order requests to send certified copies of scores to State Boards starting the first day of the month of when an exam is administered.

2019 Annual Meeting

April 26, 2019

The FPMB conducted its 2019 Annual Meeting on April 26, 2019. The presentations and topics of discussion included:

APMLE Part I & II Score Reporting
The APMLE Test Series
Podiatry Physician Re-Entry Program
Restoring Board Immunity
Occupational Licensing Reform
Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact
Increasing Engagement / Open Forum

2019-2020 Executive Board

April 26, 2019

The FPMB Executive Board elected at the April 26, 2019 Annual Meeting in Fort Worth, TX.

From Left to Right: Dr. Judith Manzi (CA) - President, Dr. Leonard La Russa (GA) - Director, Dr. Bruce Saferin (OH) - Vice President, Dr. Barbara Campbell (AZ) - Secretary-Treasurer, Dr. Jay LeBow (MD) - Director, and Mr. Stoner - Executive Director.

2019 Annual Meeting

February 25, 2019

The Annual Meeting will be conducted via webinar on Friday, April 26 (time TBD). Details on how to connect to the webinar will be forthcoming for dues-paid Member Boards.

The FPMB Executive Board is meeting in Fort Worth, Texas on April 26 & 27, 2019.

FPMB Processes ALL APMLE Score Reports

January 28, 2019

The FPMB is now processing ALL APMLE score report requests (Part I/II/III). Due to the FPMB's implementation of online ordering, orders are processed same-day. Due to electronic delivery, many State Boards download reports in less than one (1) business day.

Exam Schedule & Score Release Dates

January 1, 2019

Companion Bill Introduced in Senate

October 19, 2018

The FPMB has endorsed the “Occupational Licensing Board Antitrust Damages Relief and Reform Act of 2018 (S. 3598),” introduced by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX). This is the companion bill to H.R. 6515.

S. 3598 eliminates fiscal antitrust damage liability for state licensing boards-including state medical boards- their members, and staff who are acting within their statutory mandate to protect the public. Currently, board members and staff are exposed to personal liability and treble damages for actions taken as part of their service on a board. The lack of protection has had a chilling effect on the willingness of some individuals to serve on boards, causing some board members to resign for fear of personal financial liability.

State licensing boards provide an invaluable service to the state,” said Rep. Conaway. “Individuals who serve on these boards should enjoy the same legal protections for working on behalf of the state as all other state officials do. Having served on the Texas State Board of Accountancy myself, I understand that serving on a licensing board is performing an important public service. This legislation ensures that members of state licensing boards will continue to serve the state without fear of personal liability.”

In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners v. Federal Trade Commission that has left state professional and occupational licensing boards, their staff members, and the taxpayers in a state of fiscal uncertainty and vulnerability.

Before the Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling in NC Dental, state licensing boards were considered actors of the state and were not subject to liability under federal antitrust laws, so long as their actions were taken in accordance with state policy. However, the NC Dental case ruled that state licensing boards comprised of “active market participants,” can be considered private organizations and thus are subject to antitrust liability if they are not actively supervised by the state.

In an effort to further the conversation surrounding occupational licensing reform, S. 3598 requires a GAO report and recommendations to states on the following: the use of cost-benefit analyses in sunrise and sunset reviews, evaluating occupational licensing against less restrictive alternatives including certifications, how states can support license portability, particularly for veterans and military service members and spouses, and the impact of occupational licensing on low-income workers, the unemployed, immigrants with work authorizations, and individuals with criminal records.

S. 3598 was introduced on October 11, 2018 and has been referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

FPMB Endorses Federal Legislation

August 2, 2018

The FPMB has endorsed the “Occupational Licensing Board Antitrust Damages Relief and Reform Act of 2018 (H.R. 6515),” introduced by Rep. Mike Conaway (R-TX) and Cosponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX).

H.R. 6515 eliminates fiscal antitrust damage liability for state licensing boards-including state medical boards- their members, and staff who are acting within their statutory mandate to protect the public. Currently, board members and staff are exposed to personal liability and treble damages for actions taken as part of their service on a board. The lack of protection has had a chilling effect on the willingness of some individuals to serve on boards, causing some board members to resign for fear of personal financial liability.

State licensing boards provide an invaluable service to the state,” said Rep. Conaway. “Individuals who serve on these boards should enjoy the same legal protections for working on behalf of the state as all other state officials do. Having served on the Texas State Board of Accountancy myself, I understand that serving on a licensing board is performing an important public service. This legislation ensures that members of state licensing boards will continue to serve the state without fear of personal liability.”

In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners v. Federal Trade Commission that has left state professional and occupational licensing boards, their staff members, and the taxpayers in a state of fiscal uncertainty and vulnerability.

Before the Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling in NC Dental, state licensing boards were considered actors of the state and were not subject to liability under federal antitrust laws, so long as their actions were taken in accordance with state policy. However, the NC Dental case ruled that state licensing boards comprised of “active market participants,” can be considered private organizations and thus are subject to antitrust liability if they are not actively supervised by the state.

In an effort to further the conversation surrounding occupational licensing reform, H.R. 6515 requires a GAO report and recommendations to states on the following: the use of cost-benefit analyses in sunrise and sunset reviews, evaluating occupational licensing against less restrictive alternatives including certifications, how states can support license portability, particularly for veterans and military service members and spouses, and the impact of occupational licensing on low-income workers, the unemployed, immigrants with work authorizations, and individuals with criminal records.

H.R. 6515 was introduced on July 25, 2018 and has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

2018 Annual Meeting Webinar

May 1, 2018

The FPMB conducted its 2018 Annual Meeting webinar on April 27, 2018. The amended bylaws were approved and topics of discussion included:

Score Reporting Announcement
Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact (IPMLC)
Occupational Licensing Reform / Restoring Board Immunity
Increasing Engagement / Open Forum

2018 Annual Meeting

February 26, 2018

The Annual Meeting will be conducted via webinar on Friday, April 27 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM EDT. Details on how to connect to the webinar will be forthcoming for dues-paid Member Boards.

The FPMB Executive Board is meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 27 & 28, 2018.

Robert Levine, DPM

June 15, 2017

Robert "Rob" G. Levine, 70, of Louisville, passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2017. He graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine in 1972. He began his private practice in Louisville, Kentucky.

Dr. Levine was a past-president of the Federation of Podiatric Medical Boards ...

2017-2018 Executive Board

May 1, 2017

The FPMB Executive Board, elected at the April 22, 2017 Annual Meeting in Fort Worth, TX: Front Row (L-R): Dr. Bruce Saferin (OH) - Director and Dr. Jay LeBow (MD) - President. Back Row (L-R): Dr. Leonard La Russa (GA) - Vice-President, Dr. Judith Manzi (CA) Secretary-Treasurer and Mr. Russell Stoner - Executive Director. Not Pictured: Dr. Robert Levine (KY) (Deceased - June 2017).

FPMB Reduces Report Delivery Time

April 30, 2017

The FPMB has implemented electronic delivery of reports to 47 State Boards and all participating credentialing organizations. Overall turnaround time, from when the order is placed to when it is received by the State Board, has been greatly reduced. The median overall turnaround time is less than one (1) business day.