Every physician who wants to practice medicine in the U.S needs a license granted by a State. Each state has its regulations and requirements when it comes to medical licenses. Some of the states have a pretty simple process, while others make it extremely hard and expensive.
Though every state implements different regulations, there is some common information that will be required with your medical license application. These documents usually are the following:
- Medical Education Verification
- Postgraduate Training Verification
- Exam scores
- References
- Hospital privileges / Employment Verification
- Current and past licenses
- Background Check
The Easiest States to get Medical License
The length of processing of an application in each state varies. Below are three U.S. States that grant medical licenses the quickest:
1. New York
Employment, malpractice, privileges, and medical licenses are not verified in New York, making it one of the fastest states to get medical licenses. Though graduates from other countries may take a longer time to obtain a permit since board requires to submit the FCVS profile along with your application. The timeline typically runs for about six to twelve weeks. You only need to submit the following for verification:
- Medical School
- Postgraduate Verification
- Training Hospitals
- Exam Scores
2. Indiana
Application for a medical license in Indiana can take as fast as ten weeks. They can also issue Temporary Licenses in two weeks if all necessary documents and information are complete. Their verification process is limited to the following:
- NPDB report
- Medical School Transcripts
- Exam Scores
- State License verifications
3. Michigan
Michigan has a true reciprocity medical license. Physicians with active U.S. license within the past ten years only need to submit the State License Certifications for verification. Medical permits in Michigan are issued within a minimum of six weeks.
Hardest states to get Medical License
Conversely, if you have a choice stay clear from the following states which are known to have difficult medical license application in the U.S. :
1. Massachusetts
Massachusetts medical board has one of the highest rejection rates for the verification items in the entire country. They also perform malpractice history verification throughout the last 10 years. You will need to reach out to each of your malpractice carriers and ask them to submit the claim history report which can be very difficult and time-consuming. The board also requires you to submit the Supervisory form that needs to be completed by your supervising physician who evaluates your clinical performance. Starting January 1 MA board also has a mandatory requirement of the FCVS profile use, which adds 3-4 weeks to the process. All of these additional documents make the process extremely difficult and lengthy.
2. Texas
The TX license application process is pretty intense considering their requirements. Medical Board also has a mandatory JP exam that needs to be completed before the license is issued. Usually, the response time to get an update from a medical board staff can take up to 7 days and there is no way to speak with your licensing specialist over the phone. Communication is strictly through the email or TX LIST online system.
3. New Jersey
NJ licensing process can take up to 5 months. The reason being is that the board requires quite a long list of verifications. They include but not limited to Medical Education verification, Employment verification, 2 References, Background Check, AMA & NPDB profiles, Exam Transcripts, PGY Verification, etc. We strongly suggest using the FCVS profile if you are an International Medical Graduate.
While all of this might sound pretty intimidating there is solution to it. Here at MedicalLicensing.com, we can handle the licensing process in all 50 US States for you.
It’s certainly a good idea to be familiar with the process of state medical licensing, we understand that, particularly for those Physicians who choose to work locum tenens or telemedicine jobs as a lifestyle, keeping track of the ins and outs of licensure in each and every state is simply impractical.
Our team of industry experts will complete the application and all of the verifications on your behalf so you can focus on what really matters to you and skip the stress. Get a Free consultation today by filling out the form down below.
