Which statement describes the corporate practice of medicine in Oklahoma podiatry?

• A. Only licensed podiatrists or physicians may own and control professional corporations.
• B. Non-professional ownership is allowed with restrictions.
• C. Corporations can be owned by laypersons if management is professional.
• D. Podiatrists cannot practice in professional corporations.

Answer: (A)

In Oklahoma podiatry, the corporate practice of medicine means professional services must be provided through entities owned and controlled by licensed professionals. So, a professional corporation that offers podiatric medical services must be owned and run by licensed podiatrists or physicians. This arrangement protects clinical judgment and patient safety by keeping ownership and decision-making in the hands of those who are professionally qualified.

Non-professional ownership isn’t allowed, even with restrictions, because ownership and control directly influence how care is directed and regulated. Likewise, having laypersons own the entity but leaving management to professionals does not satisfy the rule, since ownership and control remain with non-professionals. And podiatrists can indeed practice within professional corporations, but only when those corporations are owned and controlled by licensed professionals, not layowners.

Therefore, the statement that only licensed podiatrists or physicians may own and control professional corporations best reflects the corporate practice of medicine doctrine in Oklahoma podiatry.