Setting America’s Standard for Podiatric Medical Licensure
Trusted Assessments Since 1956
The National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners (NBPME) enacts the policy, guides the development, and oversees the administration of the examinations used for podiatric medical licensure in the United States.
The successful completion of these exams gives podiatric medical licensing boards the confidence needed to issue someone a license to practice podiatric medicine without requiring additional testing. There are 52 state and jurisdictional licensing boards for podiatric medicine in the U.S., including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Licensure is the process whereby a state grants someone the legal authority to practice podiatric medicine in that state. The NBPME is a nonprofit organization and was established in 1956.
The American Podiatric Medical Licensing Examination
The APMLE is a series of exams that a person must successfully complete to be eligible for licensure to practice podiatric medicine in the United States.
Foundational Principles of the APMLE
Competence
- Data-driven quality: Every exam undergoes thorough statistical analysis and quality checks to guarantee consistency and fairness.
- Targeted assessment: Evaluates the key knowledge and skills necessary for effective podiatric practice.
- Validated outcomes: Psychometric evidence ensures that scores truly reflect professional competence.
Credibility
- Scientifically based: Developed using established testing standards to provide fair and reliable results.
- Expert-led: Crafted by subject matter experts and psychometricians to reflect real-world knowledge and skills.
- Regularly updated: Continuously reviewed to remain relevant and uphold public trust.
Trust
- Transparent and ethical: Adheres to recognized guidelines for fairness, accessibility, and integrity.
- Public safety: Upholds rigorous standards to ensure that only qualified professionals are eligible for licensure.
- Trusted competence: Licensing boards depend on exam results to verify readiness for safe practice and issue licenses.
TRUSTED BY:
Board of Trustees
Our Board of Trustees guides NBPME in advancing podiatric medicine, ensuring we adapt to the evolving needs of the profession and remain focused on continuous improvement in protecting public health.
Oleg Petrov, MS, DPM
President
Dr. Petrov is the current President of NBPME. He received a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University, Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University, and the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from the California College of Podiatric Medicine. He completed a Podiatric Surgical Residency in Chicago, and is board certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Petrov served as Chair of the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, serves as Chair for sites visit at residency programs and Podiatric colleges, and is the Region 3 representative for the AACPM’s Council of Teaching Hospitals. Dr. Petrov was in private practice in Chicago and is currently Podiatric Section Chief and Program Director for the Podiatric Residency Program at Ascension Saint Joseph-Chicago.
Kerry Sweet, DPM, FACFAS
Vice President
Dr. Sweet graduated from the California College of Podiatric Medicine and completed surgical residency training at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. He served over 26 years in the U.S. Army, first as an enlisted combat engineer and later as a commissioned officer/Podiatrist. While stationed at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, he treated mass casualties from the U.S. Embassy bombings in Africa, the USS Cole attack in Yemen, and the onset of the Afghanistan war. After retiring from the Army, he became Chief of Podiatry at VA Puget Sound in Seattle and serves as Vice President of the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners. He previously directed residency programs at Madigan Army Medical Center and VA Puget Sound for a combined 18 years and has held national leadership roles, including President of the Federal Services Podiatric Medical Association and Chair of both the COTH and AACPM.
Jane Pontious, DPM
Secretary/Treasurer
Dr. Jane Pontious is the current Secretary-Treasurer of NBPME. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at the College of Staten Island and a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine. She completed her Podiatric Surgery residency at Metropolitan Hospital Central Division in Philadelphia, Pa. where she was chief resident. Dr. Pontious is Board Certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery(ACFAS) and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Pontious is the Past-president of the Pennsylvania Podiatric Medical Association and a member of the ACFAS Didactic Committee. Dr. Pontious has experience as a Clinical Professor at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine where she practiced for 35 yrs.
Kerry E. Simm, Esquire
Executive Director
Kerry Simm is the Executive Director of the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners (NBPME), where she leads the organization’s strategic initiatives, operations, and stakeholder engagement. A Maryland-licensed attorney, she brings a strong foundation in regulatory compliance, governance, and organizational leadership to her role.
With a career grounded in public protection and professional standards, Kerry works to advance the NBPME’s mission through collaborative partnerships, innovation in assessment, and a commitment to excellence in serving the podiatric medical community.
Oleg Petrov, MS, DPM
President
Dr. Petrov is the current President of NBPME. He received a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University, Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University, and the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from the California College of Podiatric Medicine. He completed a Podiatric Surgical Residency in Chicago, and is board certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Petrov served as Chair of the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, serves as Chair for sites visit at residency programs and Podiatric colleges, and is the Region 3 representative for the AACPM’s Council of Teaching Hospitals. Dr. Petrov was in private practice in Chicago and is currently Podiatric Section Chief and Program Director for the Podiatric Residency Program at Ascension Saint Joseph-Chicago.
Kerry Sweet, DPM, FACFAS
Vice President
Dr. Sweet graduated from the California College of Podiatric Medicine and completed surgical residency training at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. He served over 26 years in the U.S. Army, first as an enlisted combat engineer and later as a commissioned officer/Podiatrist. While stationed at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, he treated mass casualties from the U.S. Embassy bombings in Africa, the USS Cole attack in Yemen, and the onset of the Afghanistan war. After retiring from the Army, he became Chief of Podiatry at VA Puget Sound in Seattle and serves as Vice President of the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners. He previously directed residency programs at Madigan Army Medical Center and VA Puget Sound for a combined 18 years and has held national leadership roles, including President of the Federal Services Podiatric Medical Association and Chair of both the COTH and AACPM.
Jane Pontious, DPM
Secretary/Treasurer
Dr. Jane Pontious is the current Secretary-Treasurer of NBPME. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at the College of Staten Island and a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine. She completed her Podiatric Surgery residency at Metropolitan Hospital Central Division in Philadelphia, Pa. where she was chief resident. Dr. Pontious is Board Certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery(ACFAS) and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. Dr. Pontious is the Past-president of the Pennsylvania Podiatric Medical Association and a member of the ACFAS Didactic Committee. Dr. Pontious has experience as a Clinical Professor at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine where she practiced for 35 yrs.
I. Kathryn Hill, MEd
Board Member
Before retiring in 2020, I. Kathryn (Kate) Hill served for 40 years in testing for professional certification and licensure. Before 15 years as Director of Test Development for Prometric, Kate served as Director of Certification for the Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA); headed the Testing, Licensing & Certification Unit of CPS Human Resource Services; served as Executive Director of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA); and served for many years at the executive or senior staff level in examination services for the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). A Pennsylvania native, Kate has a Bachelor degree in Liberal Arts with secondary school teaching certificate from Widener College, and a Master of Education degree in Educational Psychology/Psychometrics from Temple University.
Paul K. Krestik, DPM
Board Member
Dr Krestik has been practicing podiatry for 25 years in the state of Kentucky. He received his undergraduate degree from Valparaiso University and graduated from Podiatry School in Chicago. Completed a 2 year residency at St Vincent Hospital in Worcester, MA. Active board member in the Kentucky Podiatric Medical Association for 12 years and as a delegate in the house of delegates for KPMA/APMA. Currently he is on the Kentucky Board of Podiatry serving a second term. Practicing in private practice with a business partner and an associate with 2 offices in central and southern Kentucky. He lives in Lexington, Kentucky with his husband Scott and has 5 dogs and travels to Florida. Dr Krestik is in his second year with NBPME and is proud to serve on the board and give back to the profession.
Revonda J. Jessup, DPM, FACFAS
Cornelius, NC
Dr. Revonda Jessup earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, followed by her Doctor of Podiatric Medicine at Temple University. She completed a three-year foot and ankle surgical residency at Westside Regional Medical Center in Plantation, Florida.
Dr. Jessup has dedicated extensive efforts to shaping the future of podiatric medicine through significant leadership roles. She has served on the Expert Panel for the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners. Within the American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgeons, Dr. Jessup has served on the Didactic Review Group, Mis categorization and Enemy Check Task Force, Case Reviews, Case Review Appeal Panel, Cognitive Examination Committee and an Oral Examiner for Reconstructive Rearfoot & Ankle and Foot Surgery Board Certification.
Currently, Dr. Jessup practices at a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center providing care to the underserved communities in the Charlotte Metropolitan area of North Carolina.
Larissa Smith, PhD
Board Member
Larissa Smith, PhD, brings twenty years of experience as a psychometrician to the board, including ten years of experience in medical competency assessment. She previously worked with the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners and is currently at ETS.
The National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners (NBPME) enacts the policy, guides the development, and oversees the administration of the examinations used for podiatric medical licensure in the United States. NBPME is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
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