Louisiana Medical License

Louisiana Medical License Application

Every year, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners methodically processes a large number of medical license applications. This rigorous approach necessitates acquiring a large number of papers from applicants along with additional sources. To guarantee compliance and maintain high standards, the board thoroughly reviews each applicant’s qualifications, employment history, malpractice episodes, and any disciplinary measures.

The active license number in Louisiana Medical Board shows a steady increase:

• Physicians & Surgeons from 18,382 in 2022 to 18,587 in 2023.
• Physician Assistants from 1,710 to 1,810.
• Total Active Licensees from 35,420 to 37,244.

Telemedicine Practitioners remained stable at 118. This growth reflects the Board’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a robust healthcare system supported by thoroughly vetted professionals.

How to Get a Louisiana Medical License

If you want to apply for a physician or physician assistant license in Louisiana, you can start the online initial application process by logging in to the LaMED DashBoard, where you will be able to submit your initial application, complete a previously started and saved, upload the documents, pay the required fees, and check your application status.

Eligibility Criteria for Graduates from the United States and Canada

• Candidates must be no less than 21 years old and possess strong moral character.
• Citizenship or lawful legal status in the United States is necessary, as allowed by the Immigration and Naturalization Service’s commissioner.
• A Doctor of Medicine diploma from a medical school accredited by the Board is required. Diplomas issued in languages aside from English must include a verified translation.
• Successful passing of the state board examination, National Boards Parts 1, 2, and 3, FLEX, USMLE, COMLEX-USA, NBOME, or any combination of these is necessary. Some exams have a limited number of attempts.
• If it has been more than ten years since the previous medical competence test and the applicant has not received board certification or re-certification with the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association during that period, the applicant must pass the SPEX or COMVEX-USA.
• 2 years of postgraduate clinical training in the United States or Canada, certified by the ACGME, AOA, or RCPS, and Board-approved, is necessary. One year of training in maxillofacial and oral surgery can be obtained through a program approved by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Obtaining a medical license in Louisiana entails numerous key processes that demand meticulous attention to detail to ensure that your application is full and accurate. Here’s an overview of everything you should know and do:

• Oath or Affirmation

This vital paper must be notarized. If you respond “yes” to any of the questions, you must give a written, notarized declaration justifying your answer. Remember, accuracy is essential. Any errors or omissions may be seen as fraudulent attempts to get a license, resulting in your application being refused. To avoid resubmissions and extra fees, be sure that all of the information you give is full and accurate.

• Third-Party Authorization

This notarized document grants the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) authority to get information about you from other sources. It’s a standard step to ensure all aspects of your professional background are verified.

• Statement of Legal Name

You have to write your name precisely as it is on all legal papers about your license. If the name that appears on your application does not match the name on the certificate of birth, you must fill out this form, which must also be notarized.

• Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS)

To ensure a quicker procedure, all physician applicants have to submit their credentials via FCVS. Begin this procedure at least four months ahead of your anticipated start date to allow for any unforeseen delays. Delays often occur due to late submissions of your documents or slow responses from your training programs.

Utilize the FCVS website to monitor the progress of your application. Giving access to your support staff to check the status can be beneficial, especially if you are managing multiple responsibilities.

• Background Check

LSBME needs a thorough background investigation from both the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections and the FBI. You will need to submit your fingerprints to Identogo, either digitally or by mail. Ensure that you follow the proper method based on your resident status. If you already have an LSBME training permit, you are excused from undergoing another background investigation when applying for full licensing.

The more precise you are in organizing and submitting the application and accompanying documentation, the easier the licensing procedure will be. This attention to detail will guarantee that you complete all of the state’s standards swiftly.

For International Medical Graduates the criteria are similar to U.S./Canadian graduates, with the addition of needing a valid ECFMG certificate if applicable and having completed three years of ACGME-approved residency training in your specialty in the U.S. or Canada.

Processing Time for Louisiana Medical License

When you apply for a medical license in Louisiana, the paperwork will be handled in the order it was submitted, with no priority given to any candidate. The processing period might range from a few weeks up to several months, depending on how quickly you respond and the severity of any issues requiring further investigation.

On average, it takes between 60 to 90 days from the time the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners gets your application, although it might take up to five months in rare situations. Prompt and thorough submission of needed documentation might assist in accelerating the procedure.

Louisiana Medical License Cost

The application fees to earn a medical license in Louisiana differ based on the license type, standard medical licensure for MDs/DOs is $382, while a visiting physician permit would cost $100. All fees have to be paid before the application is examined by the Louisiana Medical Board.

 Payments may only be made with a credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover), and all payments are non-refundable. It is also critical to confirm whether there are any additional expenses involved with the licensing procedure in Louisiana.

Louisiana Interstate Medical Licensure Compact

Physicians who want to practice medicine in several Compact-member states must follow their respective states’ laws and regulations. To be qualified for participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), doctors must hold an unrestricted medical license from a Compact member state, which will serve as their State of Principal Licensure (SPL). 

Additionally, physicians must fulfill no less than one of the following requirements for their SPL:

• Maintain their primary residence.
• Conduct at least 25% of their medical practice.
• Be employed by a person, business, or organization located within the state.
• Use the state as their residence for U.S. Federal Income Tax purposes.

Beyond the SPL criteria, physicians must also:

• Graduate from a medical school that has been approved by a recognized body and has been included in the International Medical Education Directory.
• Complete a residency program approved by the ACGME or AOA.
• Pass every step of the USMLE, COMLEX-USA, or comparable test in no more than three attempts. Note that the Canadian Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) is not accepted.
• Hold current or lifetime certification from an ABMS or AOABOS-recognized board.

To be eligible for licensing within the Interstate Compact, physicians must maintain an exceptional professional record. This implies they must have continually maintained the highest standards of practice, as indicated by the lack of disciplinary measures against the medical license they hold. They must also have no criminal past, indicating that they follow both medical or general legal requirements.

Louisiana CDS License

To apply for a CDS license, you must provide:

• Valid Louisiana medical license
• Valid DEA registration
• Copy of your driver’s license or state ID
• Copy of your social security card
• Copy of your birth certificate or passport
• Copy of a diploma or transcript obtained from an approved medical school.

You also have to complete at least 3 hours of Board-approved CME (continuing medical education) covering all four of the following topics: best practices for CDS prescribing, drug diversion training, suitable addiction treatment, and chronic pain management.

Louisiana State Board of Nursing License

To get a nursing license, individuals must complete an authorized nursing program as well as pass the NCLEX-RN or the NCE-APRN.

Fee Structure:

• Registered Nurses (RNs): The application fee is $100.
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs): The fee is $140.

The time it takes to process the application varies based on circumstances and variables outside the Board’s control. Make sure you prepare ahead and give the Board enough time to consider your application.

Louisiana Medical Board License Renewal

License renewal happens every year for a fee of 330$ through LaMED DashBoard. Licensees must utilize CE Broker to record their continuing medical education (CME) or continuing education (CE). To be eligible for renewal, you must satisfy the yearly CME/CE requirements and have them recorded on your CE Broker transcript.

Renewal requirements include 20 hours of CME credits for physicians and at least 15 hours of CE credits each year for physician assistants and nurses. 

The CDS Course is a mandatory requirement for healthcare practitioners, ensuring that they are knowledgeable about the safe handling and prescribing of restricted substances. This LSBME-approved course must be completed every three years by physicians, and every two years by physician assistants and nurses, to create a consistent awareness of best practices throughout the medical profession.

Louisiana Telemedicine License

Out-of-state physicians who intend to perform telemedicine must first get telemedicine permission from the Medical Board. It entails meeting the board’s licensing requirements and holding a license with no restrictions from another state. The price is $300 and is not refundable. The renewal price is $ 200.

Before seeing a patient, physicians must first establish a legitimate physician-patient relationship. It’s worth noting that the board’s approval prohibits them from opening an office, meeting with patients in person, or receiving calls from patients in Louisiana.

Louisiana Medical License Lookup

The State Board of Medical Examiners provides an online tool for Louisiana medical license lookup. The service will give licensing status and other information, such as names, credential definitions, credential numbers, expiration dates, business addresses, and any disciplinary history. You may also use the program to verify Louisiana DEA and CDS licenses.

Pharmacists can be verified through the tool, provided by the appropriate Boards. Use eLicense Online for Louisiana Pharmacist License Lookup.

Expedite Louisiana Medical License

PAs can expedite their LA medical license if they meet all the requirements for licensure except for the examination. Following the test, individuals can request that a score report be delivered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) to LSBME. This will allow the board to process their application more quickly.

Physicians, on the other hand, must meet all the requirements before applying. It is important to note that the state does not issue temporary licenses other than a special events permit or a telemedicine permit.

Louisiana Medical Licensing Service

At MedicalLicensing.com, we understand how complicated and laborious the medical licensing procedure may be. That is why, whether you graduated from a US or international medical school, our professional staff can handle everything for you.

We begin by doing an eligibility check and studying your professional background to confirm that you fulfill all of the standards for licensing in Louisiana. From there, we’ll manage the full application procedure, making certain that all documents are done properly and precisely.

Our services also include submitting all the necessary credential verifications requested by LA, and we’ll keep track of all the verification requirements and follow up as needed. You will be allocated a dedicated Licensing Specialist who will keep you updated on progress and provide clear guidance throughout the process.