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Licensing: MDs – USA

 

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US Medical Doctors

Doctors must be licensed in the state in which they would like to work. Individual states are responsible for issuing their own license to practice. Applicants are encouraged to contact the licensing body in the state in which they wish to work, in order to confirm the specific requirements for that state. Please see the information for the state licensing bodies below.

Please note however, if you currently hold a license to practice in another US State, endorsement is often possible, please contact the appropriate state licensing body for more information.

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MDs from Canada or Mexico

The VisaScreen requirement instituted in July 2004 for some healthcare professions does not pertain to MDs.

Canadian and Mexican MDs wishing to practice in the United States are required to write Part I, Part II, Part III of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Part I and Part II are administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). Part III is administered by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB). After completion of the USMLE, physicians are required to obtain a license in the state they wish to practice in.

For information about board (specialty) certification, see the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).

VISA Information: Under NAFTA, doctors who are citizens of Canada or Mexico are eligible for TN visas to work in the United States as teachers or researchers only. Under NAFTA, Canadians receive TN-1 visas and Mexicans receive TN-2 visas. Canadians can apply for a TN-1 visa at Class A US Ports of Entry; Mexicans must apply for their TN-2 visa at a US Consulate.

No sponsorship is required for Canadians or Mexicans. However, you will still need to provide proof of an offer of employment from your employer in the US, and meet the minimum education, experience and licensing requirements.

Documents required for TN visa:

  1. A document (e.g., signed contract, employment offer, etc.) showing your job title, summary of your job duties, starting date and expected length of temporary stay, arrangement for remuneration.
  2. Recent résumé.
  3. Evidence of the appropriate degree awarded (e.g., copy of a diploma, or official transcripts indicating the degree which has been awarded).
  4. Evidence of Canadian (or Mexican) citizenship.

The duration of the TN visa is set for an initial period of one year. An unlimited number of one-year extensions may be subsequently obtained so long as you can show that the employment remains temporary, and that you continue to be qualified to work in your profession.

If you do not fall under the category of teaching or research, you are likely to require a work visa, and usually sponsorship is required. Please contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate for more information.

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Medical Doctors from Outside North America

Physicians trained outside of North America are required to complete the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification. To get this certification, candidates must pass:

• Part I of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), which in this case is administered by the ECFMG;
• the ECFMG's Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (Step 2 CK);
• the ECFMG's Step 2 Clinical Skills (Step 2 CS);

Completing these requirements verifies your readiness to enter a residency or fellowship program in the US. Testing centers for Part I and II of the USMLE exam can be found at the Thomson Prometric website, and can be completed worldwide. The Step 2 CS examination is only available (as of this date) in five locations in the US. For more information, on these tests and requirements, please contact the NBME and the ECFMG.

If you wish to immigrate to the US, and practice as an MD and obtain a state license, you will then be required to complete Part III of the USMLE exam. Part III is administered by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB). Part III is only available in testing centers in the US and its territories. For more information about Part III of the USMLE exam, please contact the FSMB.

For information about board (specialty) certification, see the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) .

VISA Information: You are required to have a US work visa before being allowed entry to the US and employment in the US, and usually sponsorship is required. Please contact the nearest US Embassy or Consulate to inquire about obtaining a US work visa.

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US State Medical Boards and licensing organizations

NBME, FSMB, USMLE, ECFMG

A, C, D, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, P, R, S, T, U, V, W


National Board of Medical Examiners

Tel: 215-590-9500

Email: Webmail@nbme.org

Web: National Board of Medical Examiners


Federation of State Medical Boards

Tel: 817-868-4000

Fax: 817-868-4099

Web: Federation of State Medical Boards


United States Medical Licensing Examination

Tel: 215-590-9700

Fax: 215-590-9457

Email: webmail@nbme.org

Web: United States Medical Licensing Examination


Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates

Tel: 215-386-5900

Fax: 215-386-9196

Email: info@ecfmg.org

Web: Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates


Alabama Board of Medical Examiners

Tel: 334-242-4116

Fax: 334-242-4155

Email: jbaskin@albme.org

Web: Alabama Board of Medical Examiners


Alaska State Medical Board

Tel: 907-269-8163

Fax: 907-269-8196

Email: Leslie_Gallant@commerce.state.ak.us (Executive Administrator)

Web: Alaska State Medical Board


Arizona Medical Board

Tel: 480-551-2700 or 1-877-255-2212

Email: questions@azmdboard.org

Web: Arizona Medical Board


Arkansas State Medical Board

Tel: 501-296-1802

Fax: 501-296-1972 (Licensing) or 501-603-3555 (General)

Email: licensing@armedicalboard.org or office@armedicalboard.org

Web: Arkansas State Medical Board


Medical Board of California

Tel: 916-263-2382

Fax: 916-263-2944

Web: Medical Board of California


Colorado Board of Medical Examiners

Tel: 303-894-7690

Fax: 303-894-7692

Email: medical@dora.state.co.us

Web: Colorado Board of Medical Examiners


Connecticut Medical Examining Board

Tel: 860-509-8374 (Licensure/Exam Info)

Fax: 860-509-7553

Web: Connecticut Medical Examining Board


Delaware Division of Medical Regulation, Board of Medical Practice

Tel: 302-744-4500

Fax: 302-739-2711

Email: gayle.macafee@state.de.us

Web: Delaware Board of Medical Practice


District of Columbia Department of Health Board of Medicine

Tel: 877-672-2174

Fax: 202-727-8471

Web: District of Columbia Board of Medicine


Florida Board of Medicine

Tel: 850-245-4131

Fax: 850-488-9325

Email: MQA_Medicine@doh.state.fl.us

Web: Florida Board of Medicine


Georgia Composite State Board of Medical Examiners

Tel: 404-656-3913

Fax: 404-656-9723

Email: medbd@dch.ga.gov

Web: Georgia Composite State Board of Medical Examiners


Hawaii Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (Licensing Area: Medical and Osteopathy)

Tel: 808-586-2708

Email: medical@dcca.hawaii.gov

Web: Hawaii Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (Licensing Area: Medical and Osteopathy)


Idaho Board of Medicine

Tel: 208-327-7000

Fax: 208-327-7005

Email: info@bom.state.id.us

Web: Idaho Board of Medicine


Illinois Division of Professional Regulation

Tel: 217-785-0800 or 312-814-4500

Fax: 217-782-7645

Web: Illinois Division of Professional Regulation


Indiana Health Professions Bureau – Medical Licensing Board of Indiana

Tel: 317-234-2060

Email: pla3@pla.IN.gov

Web: Indiana Health Professions Bureau


Iowa Board of Medical Examiners

Tel: 515-281-5171

Fax: 515-242-5908

Web: Iowa Board of Medical Examiners


Kansas State Board of Healing Arts

Tel: 785-296-7413 or 888-886-7205

Fax: 785-296-0852

Email: klenahan@ink.org (Licensing Administrator)

Web: Kansas State Board of Healing Arts


Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure

Tel: 502-429-7150

Fax: 502-429-7158

Email: KBML@ky.gov

Web: Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure


Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners

Tel: 504-568-6820 or 800-296-7549

Fax: 2504-568-8893

Web: Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners


Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine

Tel: 207-287-3601

Fax: 207-287-6590

Web: Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine


Maryland Board of Physicians

Tel: 410-764-4777 or 1-877-492-6836

Fax: 410-358-2252

Web: Maryland Board of Physicians


Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine

Tel: 617-654-9800

Fax: 617-451-9568

Web: Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine


Michigan Bureau of Health Professions, Board of Medicine

Tel: 517-335-0918

Web: Michigan Bureau of Health Professions, Board of Medicine


Minnesota Board of Medical Practice

Tel: 612-617-2130

Fax: 612-617-2166

Email: medical.board@state.mn.us

Web: Minnesota Board of Medical Practice


Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure

Tel: 601-987-3079

Fax: 601-987-4159

Email: mboard@msbml.state.ms.us

Web: Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure


Missouri Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Registration for the Healing Arts

Tel: 573-751-0098

Fax: 573-751-3166

Email: healingarts@pr.mo.gov

Web: Missouri Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Registration for the Healing Arts


Montana Board of Medical Examiners

Tel: 406-841-2360

Fax: 406-841-2305

Email: dlibsdmed@mt.gov

Web: Montana Board of Medical Examiners


Nebraska Health and Human Services (Medicine and Surgery)

Tel: 402-471-2115

Fax: 402-471-3577

Email: vicki.bumgarner@hhss.ne.gov or meegan.dyrland@hhss.ne.gov

Web: Nebraska Health and Human Services (Medicine and Surgery)


Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners

Tel: 775-688-2559 or 888-890-8210 (in Nevada)

Tel: 775-688-2321

Email: nsbme@medboard.nv.gov

Web: Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners


New Hampshire State Board of Medicine

Tel: 603-271-1203

Web: New Hampshire Board of Medicine


New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners

Tel: 609-826-7100

Fax: 609-826-7117

Email: bme@dca.lps.state.nj.us

Web: New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners


New Mexico Medical Board

Tel: 505-476-7220 or 800-945-5845 (New Mexico only)

Fax: 505-476-7237

Email: nmbme@state.nm.us

Web: New Mexico Medical Board


New York Office of the Professions – Medicine Unit

Tel: 518-474-3817 ext. 260

Fax: 518-402-2323

Email: opunit2@mail.nysed.gov

Web: New York Office of the Professions – Medicine Unit


North Carolina Medical Board

Tel: 919-326-1100 or 919-326-1109 or 1-800-253-9653

Fax: 919-326-0036

Email: info@ncmedboard.org

Web: North Carolina Medical Board


North Dakota State Board of Medical Examiners

Tel: 701-328-6500

Tel: 701-328-6505

Web: North Dakota State Board of Medical Examiners


Northern Mariana Islands, Medical Professional Licensing Board

Tel: 670-664-4811

Tel: 670-664-4813


State Medical Board of Ohio

Tel: 614-466-3934

Fax: 614-728-5946

Web: State Medical Board of Ohio


Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure & Supervision

Tel: 405-848-6841 ext. 113 (Licensing)

Fax: 405-848-8240

Email: rhall@okmedicalboard.org (Licensing)

Web: Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure & Supervision


Oregon Board of Medical Examiners

Tel: 971-673-2700

Fax: 971-673-2670

Email: bme.info@state.or.us

Web: Oregon Board of Medical Examiners


Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine

Tel: 717-783-1400

Fax: 717-787-7769

Email: ST-MEDICINE@state.pa.us

Web: Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine


Board of Medical Examiners of Puerto Rico

Tel: 787-782-8937

Fax: 787-706-0304


Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline

Tel: 401-222-3855

Fax: 401-222-2158

Web: Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline


South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners

Tel: 803-896-4500

Fax: 803-896-4515

Email: medboard@llr.sc.gov

Web: South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners


South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners

Tel: 605-367-7781

Fax: 605-367-7786

Email: SDBMOE@state.sd.us

Web: South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners


Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners

Tel: 615-532-3202 or 1-800-778-4123 (nationwide)

Web: Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners


Texas Medical Board

Tel: 512-305-7030 or 1-800-248-4062 (Texas only)

Fax: 512-305-7009

Email: verifcic@tmb.state.tx.us

Web: Texas Medical Board


Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Physician Board

Tel: 801-530-6628 or 1-866-275-3675 (in Utah)

Fax: 801-530-6511

Web: Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing


Vermont Board of Medical Practice

Tel: 802-657-4220 or 1-800-745-7371 (Vermont only)

Fax: 802-657-4227

Email: medicalboard@vdh.state.vt.us

Web: Vermont Board of Medical Practice


Virgin Islands Board of Medical Examiners

Tel: 340-774-0117

Fax: 340-777-4001


Virginia Board of Medicine

Tel: 804-367-4600

Fax: 804-527-4426 (Licensure)

Email: medbd@dhp.virginia.gov

Web: Virginia Board of Medicine


Washington Medical Quality Assurance Commission

Tel: 360-236-4700

Fax: 360-236-4818

Email: hpqa.csc@doh.wa.gov

Web: Washington Medical Quality Assurance Commission


West Virginia Board of Medicine

Tel: 304-558-2921

Fax: 304-558-2084

Email: crystallowe@wvdhhr.org (Licensure Questions)

Web: West Virginia Board of Medicine


Wisconsin Department of Regulation & Licensing

Tel: 608-266-2811

Email: web@drl.state.wi.us

Web: Wisconsin Department of Regulation & Licensing


Wyoming Board of Medicine

Tel: 307-778-7053 or 1-800-438-5784

Fax: 307-778-2069

Email: wyomedboard@state.wy.us

Web: Wyoming Board of Medicine

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Updated on August 30, 2007.

 

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