Maine Medical License

Maine Medical License Application

In Maine, medical licensing is managed by two separate boards: one for osteopathic medicine and another for allopathic medicine, ensuring specialized oversight for each field. Additionally, the state provides a distinct pathway for those seeking to become physician assistants.

Applicants not participating in the Interstate Telemedicine Consultation Registration face a unique requirement—a mandatory online written test. Upon passing this exam, candidates are awarded a certificate, a process that recurs every four years to coincide with the license renewal cycle.

Whether you’re a U.S. citizen or an International Medical Graduate (IMG), obtaining a medical license in Maine requires strict adherence to legal standards. Specifically, applicants must fulfill the conditions outlined in section 32 M.R.S. § 3282-A(2) of the Maine statutes to avoid any grounds for license denial. This ensures that all practitioners meet Maine’s rigorous standards for medical practice.

Requirements

Physicians seeking a medical license in Maine should generally complete the following requirements:

• Graduate from an accredited medical school.
• Effectively complete each step of the national licensing tests within the specified period.
• Complete 3 years of ACGME-approved postgraduate medical education or hold current certification from the American Board of Medical Specialties.
• Pass the board’s jurisprudence exam.
• Pay all relevant fees.

Physician assistants follow a similar path; they have to get a diploma from a Board-approved organization and pass the NCCPA test, as well as the jurisprudence examinations. Also, certainly, pay the charges as well.

The path for IMGs wanting to get licensed in Maine is a little more complicated. Aside from finishing an appropriate institution (listed by the World Health Organization) and getting a certificate issued by the Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates (EFFMG), they have to pass every step of the national licensing examinations within the time frame specified and meet one of the following:

• 36 months of ACGME-approved postgraduate education;
• Current certification with the American Board of Medical Specialties;
• A waiver by the Board of the 36 months of ACGME-approved graduate medical education for “exceptional circumstances”.

IMGs are subject to the jurisprudence exam and fees as well.

How to Get

Like many other states, Maine is making the push toward a more convenient process for physician candidates so Maine is now participating in the FSMB Uniform Application process. This means that there is now one place to apply for your Maine Permanent Medical License.

Please review the State of Maine Requirements for Medical Licensure (PDF) before you start the application.

The process consists of five essential steps:

1. Signing Up for FCVS
2. Completing the FSMB Uniform Application
3. Passing the Jurisprudence Examination
4. Background Check

As the first step, all you have to do is upload your credentials (birth certificate, postgraduate training proof, etc.) to store them in the FCVS database. Then, when you choose state boards to apply to, you’ll need to pay the fees for the profile sent, and wait about 45 days. Don’t try to cut corners by sending documents directly to the Board, the State of Maine won’t accept it.

Be ready to upload digital copies of your:

1. Birth certificate or driver’s license
2. Social security number
3. Medical school diploma
4. Fifth Pathway certificate (for foreign applicants)
5. Marriage certificate (or divorce decree)
6. Exam history release forms
7. ECFMG certificate
8. History of malpractice or disciplinary action

Although FCVS enrollment was voluntary for future osteopathic physicians, the FSMB’s Uniform Application is a must for all licensing applicants. Completing this application costs $60, regardless of the number of boards you submit to. Expect to disclose the following:

• Contact information (phone, address, email, etc.)
• Active licenses
• Any malpractice claims
• Disciplinary actions
• Medical employment history
• Competency

 The Uniform Application demands an affidavit to confirm all of the information on your application is, to the best of your knowledge, completely accurate. This stage requires the assistance of a notary service.

Applying for a license from the Maine Licensing Board is usually a simple procedure. However, in certain cases, the process may require a few further stages, especially if the Board has queries about specific areas of your professional profile. If the Board has concerns about your interpersonal abilities, clinical competency, previous disruptive actions, or any other incorrect conduct that might be unlawful or disqualifying, it may seek an in-person interview.

This interview does not necessarily indicate that your application will be approved or rejected. Rather, it allows members of the Board to obtain a better knowledge of your credentials and conduct. It is an opportunity for them to connect with you personally and assess your preparation and appropriateness for professional activity before making a final judgment on your license application.

Processing Time

The duration it takes to process a medical license in Maine is influenced by the type of license sought, whether the applicant has an existing profile with the Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS), and whether there is any negative information in the application.

Permanent, temporary, and administrative licenses typically take 45 to 90 days to process due to the extensive checks and verification necessary. Emergency,  and compact licenses are issued quickly and typically take 48 hours, allowing for urgent medical requirements or the continuation of practice without delay.

Instructional, camp, and volunteer permits are normally handled in 1 to 2 weeks to facilitate time-sensitive instructional programs and volunteer activities.

Maine License Cost

The initial application fee for an MD license is $600. In addition to this, the initial jurisprudence exam requires a registration fee alongside the application fee, each priced at $100, making the total due at the time of application $700.

For those in need of a temporary MD license, which is valid for six months, the application cost is set at $400. This temporary permit can be extended once for a further six months at no cost, as long as the renewal application is filed within one year of the initial issuance.

State of Maine Medical license Renewal

Both the MD and OD licenses need to be renewed biennially. The Board provides a website for license renewal, in which you can fill out the application, submit the fees ($500), and then complete the online jurisprudence test. PA-C licenses are also renewed every two years. The process is pretty much the same, except for the fee, which is $300. RN licenses have the same renewal period. The price is $75, plus $50 if you are late. Renewal fees for LPN and APRN licenses are $50 and $100, respectively.

Telemedicine Licensing

The Board requires that physicians and PAs have a valid Maine license to practice online, except for some exceptions such as infrequent episodic care, consultation to a local licensee, or administrative medicine. They must also adhere to the same criteria as those in direct contact, including getting consent to treat, maintaining medical records, and writing prescriptions.

Physicians who intend to deliver Consultative Telemedicine but are not practicing in the state personally may get a Consultative Telemedicine License. The Maine Medical Board also mandates that doctors who provide primary care via telemedicine visit the patients they treat in person at least once a year.

Maine Medical License Lookup

You can access the Board’s ALMS Online Services to verify the validity of a physician, physician assistant, or nurse, as well as examine their disciplinary records.

To check the status of your application, utilize the Board’s ALMS Online Services, log in using your login information and password, and then pick the “Check the Status of my Application” option. You will be able to monitor the progress, as well as any missing papers or additional needs.

Expedite Maine Medical License

The Maine Medical Board takes around 45-90 days to accept or refuse a medical license application. However, this implies you have an FCVS profile and that you did not have any difficulties when filling out your application.

Processing your FCVS application might add an extra 45 days or more. And if you have a checkered background or the Board seeks an in-person interview, the approval process might take much longer. In general, 12-16 weeks is a more realistic timeframe.

However, you may speed up the procedure. The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) provides a faster alternative for eligible physicians. If you meet criteria such as residing in a compact state, having graduated from an accredited medical school, and having no history of disciplinary or criminal actions, you could qualify for this expedited process.

Aside from the IMLC, you may apply for a Camp Physician License, which is valid for a set time and location during the summer, an Emergency License (which will be active for a maximum of 100 days and only in an emergency), or a Temporary License, which is given for the stated time but not for more than one year.

Maine Medical Licensing Service

MedicalLicensing.com understands that physicians, physician assistants (PAs), and nurses have busy schedules and limited time. We are committed to expediting the license application procedure to make it easier and faster for healthcare professionals to get new licenses.

Our expertise ensures that your application is meticulously prepared and submitted within the required 45-day timeframe, adhering strictly to Maine Medical Board guidelines. We will complete or obtain your FCVS profile and effectively manage all verification processes, ensuring that your application is thorough and compliant. Once submitted, we closely monitor the progress and address any queries from the board on your behalf, facilitating a smooth and expedited licensure process.

Our services are tailored to accommodate your individual requirements and minimize any inconvenience, allowing you to prioritize what is most important to you.