Medical License Direct
State Medical Boards

All international medical graduates (IMG's) must be ECFMG certified

Amount of
Required Post
Graduate Training
Years
AMG/IMG
"10 Year Rule"
ABMS or SPEX or
USMLE required
within  last 10 years
Step 3 USMLE
Attempts /
Years Limits
Alabama State Board of Medical Examiners
If board certified in a specialty recognized by one of the American Board of
Medical Specialties you're not required to complete all steps within seven (7)
years, but only 10 attempts total are permitted.
 1 / 3
 YES
 3 attempts for
step 3 / 7
or 10 years if
MD/PhD
Alaska State Medical Board
 2 / 3
 NO
 2 / 7 or 10 if
MD/PhD
Arizona Board of Medical Examiners    
 1 / 3
 NO
 none / 7
Arizona Board of Osteopathic Examiners in Medicine and Surgery
 1 / N/A
   N/A
Arkansas State Medical Board     
For IMGs ONLY - Completion of at least three (3) years of internship or residency
in an ACGME approved program in the United States,

OR served three (3) years as an intern or resident in a postgraduate medical
education program outside the United States, completed one (1) year or more of
fellowship training in an ACGME approved program in the United States AND
received board certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties,

OR have completed at least one 1) year of internship or residency in an ACGME
approved program in the United States AND be currently enrolled in a
postgraduate training program in Arkansas.

The Arkansas State Medical Board requires that each Step of the USMLE is to be
taken no more that three (3) times each and all Steps must be taken and passed
within seven (7) years. The time starts upon successful completion of either Step
1 or Step 2, whichever is passed first. The Board goes year to year only, meaning
that if the first successful passing was done in 2000, the final successful passing
must be done by the end of 2007. This time period is extended to ten (10) years if
the applicant was taking a combined M.D./PhD program.
 1 / 3 see notes
 No
 3/7
or 10 if MD/PhD
Medical Board of California   
CA does not have the "7 year rule" where you must complete all three steps of
USMLE in 7 years. However, each step of the examination is valid for a period of
10 years from the month of the examination.  If you have scores that are over 10
years old, please contact the Medical Board of California directly at (916)
263-2382 to verify if you will need to revalidate your scores to meet the licensing
requirements.

CA does not have an attempt limit for steps 1 and 2, but they do for step 3. If you
started taking step 3 after 1/1/07, you may fail it three times and pass on the 4th
attempt. If you fail more then four times after 1/1/07 you're not eligible for a CA
license.

If you attempted step 3 prior to 1/1/07 and failed it doesn't matter how many times
you failed it. For step 3 the clock on attempts starts 1/1/07.
Please refer to CA's  website for more information.
 1 / 2
.
 Yes/
If you have held an
unrestricted license in
the U.S./Canada for a
period of four years or
more, the 10 year
examination validity
may not apply.  Time
spent in approved
postgraduate or
fellowship training may
not be included in the
calculation of the four
year period.
 4 / 10
Osteopathic Medical Board of California
 1 / N/A
   N / A
Colorado Board of Medical Examiners    
 1 / 3
 No
 none / 7
10 if PhD
waiver possible
but rare
Connecticut Medical Examining Board
 2 / 2
 No
 none / none
Delaware Board of Medical Practice
 1 / 3
 No
 6 / none
District of Columbia Board of Medicine
U.S. or Canadian medical graduates - Two (2) years of postgraduate clinical
training, except those applicants who graduated prior to January 1, 1990, and
applicants using Step 3 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination as
part of their examination requirement, shall only be required to have one (1) year
of postgraduate clinical training. All postgraduate clinical training must be at a
hospital or health care facility licensed in the United States in a program
accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) or in Canada accredited by the
LMCC.

An applicant who has not attained a passing score on Step 3 of the USMLE after
three (3) attempts shall complete one (1) additional year of accredited
postgraduate clinical training before being eligible to take step 3 again.
 1 if graduated from
medical school before
1990 or using step 3,
otherwise
2 / 3
 No
 3 attempts for
step 3, if more
than 3 than add'l
training is
required / 7 (no
waivers)
Florida Board of Medicine     
The board may require an applicant who does not pass the national licensing
examination after five attempts to complete additional remedial education or
training. The board shall prescribe the additional requirements in a manner that
permits the applicant to complete the requirements and be reexamined within 2
years after the date the applicant petitions the board to retake the examination a
sixth or subsequent time.
 1 / 2
 No
 5 ? / none
Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine
 1 / N/A
   N / A
Georgia Composite State Board of Medical Examiners
On Friday, February 5, 2010, the members of the Georgia Composite Medical
Board voted to use the list titled Medical Schools Recognized by the Medical
Board of California as its official reference for approval of medical schools
located outside the United States and Canada. Graduates of the schools
contained in this list are required to complete one (1) year of post graduate
training in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical
Education (ACGME).              

Graduates attending schools not listed in the Medical Schools Recognized by the
Medical Board of California must complete three (3) years of post graduate
training in a program accredited by the ACGME. The list can be viewed online at:
http://www.mbc.ca.gov/applicant/schools.html
 1 / 1 or 3
see notes
 No
 3 / 7
waiver
Hawaii Board of Medical Examiners
 1 / 2
 No
 none / 7
Idaho State Board of Medicine
 1 / 3
 No
 2  per step / 7
Illinois Department of Professional Regulation
 1 / 1 if < 1987
2 / 2 if > 1988
 No
 5 attempts all
steps combined
/ 7
waiver
Indiana Health Professions Bureau If you do not meet the ten (10) year period,
you may apply for licensure and retake Step 1 and/or Step 2 of the USMLE to put
you within the ten (10) year period if it does not put you over the three (3)
attempts.  You must make application and request to retake Step 1 and/or Step
2.  The Board will send out the appropriate letters to the Federation so that you
may reapply to take the appropriate steps of the USMLE.  If it has taken you more
than three (3) attempts to pass a step of the USMLE you are not eligible for
licensure in Indiana.
 1 / 2
 No
 3 attempts per
step / 10
Iowa Board of Medicine   Applicants who have taken more than ten years to
complete all three steps of the USMLE or COMLEX and are not specialty board
certified by a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties or
American Osteopathic Specialty Boards, should contact Amy Van Maanen,
Director of Licensure, at 515-281-6492. Applicants in this situation do not meet
the licensure requirements and will need to request a waiver to administrative
rule 653 IAC-9.4(2)e(1). Discussion with a staff person prior to applying may
assist in determining whether to submit an application to the Board. Attempt
limits are six for Step 1, six for Step 2 and three for Step 3.
 1 / 2
 No
 3 / 10
Kansas Board of Healing Arts
 1 / 2
 No
 4 / 10
Waiver
Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure
 2 / 2
 No
 4 attempts per
step / 7
Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
 1 / 3
 Yes
 4 / none
Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine
 2 if < 7/04 / 3
3 if > 7/04 / 3
 No
 3 / 7
waiver
Maine Board of Osteopathic Licensure
 1 / N/A
 No
 N / A
Maryland Board of Physician Quality Assurance
AS OF EARLY 2013 An applicant, who has passed the requisite examination after
failing the examination or a part of the examination three or more times, may
nonetheless qualify for a license if the applicant:
(1) Has successfully completed two or more years of an accredited residency or
fellowship; or
(2) Has at least five years of clinical medical practice in the United States or
Canada, with at least three of the five years having occurred within five years of
the date of application, as long as the clinical practice was under a full
unrestricted license to practice medicine and no disciplinary action is pending or
has been taken against the applicant that would be grounds for discipline by the
Board; or
(3) Is board certified.
Passage of this legislation, thus, does not mean that an applicant for medical
licensure does not have to pass the required examinations, nor does it alter the
provisions in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 10.32.01.03.G.(1)
pertaining to the 10-year period for successfully completing the required medical
exams.
 1 / 2
 No
 3 see notes for
exceptions/ 10
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine
Please note that the Board’s regulations require that the USMLE Steps 1, 2 and 3
must be completed within a seven (7) year time period, beginning with the
examination date when the examinee first passes his/her first Step (either Step 1
or Step 2). The Board may grant a waiver of the seven-year examination
completion requirement in the case of an applicant who is actively pursuing
another advanced doctoral study. In addition, in very limited and extraordinary
circumstances, the Board may grant a case-by-case exception to the seven-year
period upon petition by the applicant and demonstration by the applicant of: a. a
verifiable and rational explanation for the failure to satisfy the regulation; b. strong
academic and post-graduate record; and c. a compelling totality of
circumstances. Please review the Board’s regulation 243 CMR 2.02(3) (b) and (c)
for additional information.
An applicant who fails to pass Step 3 of the USMLE or level 3 of the COMLEX
within three (3) attempts is required to take an additional year of ACGME or AOA
approved postgraduate training prior to attempting the step a fourth time.
 2/3
 No
 3 / 7
Michigan Board of Medicine
You have 5 years from your first attempt to pass the USMLE Step 3.
 2 / 2
 No
 none / 5
+ add'l PGY
Michigan Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery
 1 / N/A
   N / A
Minnesota Board of Medical Practice    Applicants must have passed steps 1, 2
and 3 within three attempts. Four attempts are allowed if currently licensed in
another state and currently certified by a specialty board of ABMS, AOABPE,
RCPSC, or CFPC. USMLE Step 3 must be passed within 5 years of Step 2 or
before the end of residency training.
 1 / 2
 Yes
 3 attempts each
step / 7
Mississippi State Board of Medical
If a graduate from a foreign medical school, applicant must present
documentation of having completed either (i) three (3) or more years of
ACGME-approved postgraduate training in the United States or training in
Canada approved by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons or (ii) at least
one year of ACGME-approved postgraduate training in the United States or
training in Canada approved by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons,
be currently Board certified by a Specialty Board recognized by the American
Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association and will be
based upon approval by the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure.      
 1 / 3
 Yes/
accepts lifetime ABMS
 3 / 7
Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts
If you have more that 3 attempts for step 3 of the USMLE, Missouri will consider a
waiver of their attempt rule if you have a Phd. or a medical license in another
state. Please call the board for further clarification 573-751-0098.
 1 / 3
 No
 3 / 7 exception for
MD/PhD
Montana Board of Medical Examiners
USMLE Step III must be taken within seven years of the applicant's first
examinations under (1) (c) unless the applicant is or has been a student in a
recognized M.D./Ph.D. program in a field of biological sciences tested in the Step
I content. Applicants seeking an exception to the seven-year rule shall present a
verifiable and rational explanation for being unable to meet the seven-year limit.
 2 / 3
1 / 1 if ABMS
 No
SPEX required if inactive
2 yrs.
 3 / 7 exception for
MD/PhD
Nebraska Board of Medicine and Surgery
 1 / 3
 No
 4 attempts per
step/ 10
Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners
 3 / 3
 Yes/
accepts lifetime ABMS
 9 attempts
combined all
steps / 7
Nevada State Board of Osteopathic Medicine
 1 / N/A
   N / A
New Hampshire Board of Medicine
The board may waive the examination attempt requirements for any applicant
who has satisfactorily passed all examinations and requirements to become
board certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or by the
American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
 2 / 2
 No
 3 attempts per
step/ none
waiver
New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners    

Graduates of L.C.M.E./A.O.A. approved medical schools and graduates of foreign
medical schools who graduated prior to July 1, 1985, must successfully complete
at least one year of A.C.G.M.E. or A.O.A. approved postgraduate training.

Graduates of foreign medical schools who graduated after July 1, 1985 and prior
to July 1, 2003, must successfully complete a minimum of three (3) years of
A.C.G.M.E. or A.O.A. approved postgraduate training.

All applicants who graduated from medical school after July 1, 2003, must
successfully complete a minimum of two (2) years of postgraduate training in an
A.C.G.M.E. or A.O.A. accredited program and have a signed contract for a third
year of training in an accredited
program where at least two years of that training are in the same field or would,
when considered together, be credited toward the criteria for certification by a
single specialty board.
 1yr if < 7/85

IMGs - 3 yrs if between
7/85 and 7/03

2 yrs + contract for 3rd
yr or 3 yrs for AMG and
IMG if > 7/03
 No
 5 / 7
waiver
New Mexico State Board of Medical Examiners
 2 / 2
 No
 6 per step / 7 or
10 if MD/PhD
New Mexico Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners
 2 / N/A
   N / A
New York State Board for Medicine
 1 / 3
 No
 none / none
North Carolina Medical Board
The Board shall not issue a license to practice medicine to any applicant who
has failed to receive a passing score of any Step, or component thereof, of the
USMLE within three (3) attempts. However, the Board shall waive this
requirement if the applicant has been certified or recertified by an ABMS, CCFP,
FRCP, FRCS or AOA approved specialty board within the past 10 years.
 1 / 3
 Yes
Exception = accepts 60
hours of Category 1
CME over the past three
years in lieu of 10 year
testing
requirement
 3 / none
North Dakota State Board of Medical Examiners
 1 / 3
 No
 3/7
State Medical Board of Ohio
USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3. All three Steps must have been passed within a ten
year period and the performance achieved on each Step must have been
recognized by the USMLE program as a recommended passing performance. No
Step may have been failed more than three times. If an applicant has failed any
Step more than three times, the applicant must complete an additional year of
graduate medical education as defined in section 4731.091 of the Revised Code
in addition to the graduate medical education required by section 4731.14 and
must be completed subsequent to the final Step that has been failed more than
three times. Following the completion of the additional training, the entire
examination sequence must be retaken and successfully completed. An
applicant who has not failed any Step more than three times but who did not
complete the sequence within the ten year period must either retake the
appropriate Steps to bring the testing sequence within the ten-year time period or
demonstrate good cause, as determined by the Board, for not having completed
the sequence within the ten-year time period.
 1 / 2
 No
 3/10
waiver
Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision
All steps of the licensure examination must be passed within ten (10) years. Any
applicant who fails any part of a licensing examination three times is not eligible
for a license. A score of incomplete is considered a failing score. If a combination
of NBME, FLEX and/or USMLE is utilized, any applicant who has failed more than
six (6) examinations is not eligible for a license. If an applicant has achieved
certification by an American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Board, the
Board may grant an exception.
 1 / 2
 No
 see side notes
Oklahoma State Board of Osteopathic Examiners
 1 / N/A
   N / A
Oregon Board of Medical Examiners              
* USMLE Steps 1 and 2 - there is currently no limit to the number of attempts.
* USMLE Step 3 must be passed within four attempts.
Any applicant who fails a third attempt on Step 3 must do one of the following:
* Successfully complete one full year of Board approved training prior to making a
fourth attempt
* Obtain current certification by a specialty board recognized by the American
Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association's Bureau
of Osteopathic Specialists
 1 / 3
 Yes/
If worked last 3 years
and obtained 150 CMEs
in any increment can
send letter w/app
requesting waiver on
SPEX - include proof of
CMES
 4 / 7
waiver
Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine
 2 / 3
 No
 3 / 7
waiver
Pennsylvania State Board of Osteopathic Medicine
 1 / N/A
    
Board of Medical Examiners of Puerto Rico
(787) 782-8937 / Fax:(787) 706-0304
 1 / 3
 No
 none / 7
Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline  
Generally the board has a 3 attempt per step and 7 year limit; however, they ask
you to send a letter to the Board describing the situation, including scores. This
request is presented to the Licensing Committee which formally makes the
decision to grant or deny the request.
 2 / 3
 No
 3/ 7
waiver is possible
South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners
For the United States Medical Licensing Examination or the Comprehensive
Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination, or the Medical Council of Canada
Qualifying Examination , the applicant shall pass all steps within ten years of
passing the first taken step. The results of the first three takings of each step
examination must be considered by the board. The board may consider the
results from a fourth taking of any step; however, the applicant has the burden of
presenting special and compelling circumstances why a result from a fourth
taking should be considered. These circumstances may include, but are not
limited to, the applicant's additional medical education or training, the applicant's
score on the third taking, or o ther special or compelling circumstances. Under no
circumstances may the board consider results received after the fourth taking of
any step, except that a subsequent taking may be considered by the board for an
applicant who currently holds a certificatio n, recertification, or a certificate of
added qualification by a specialty board recognized by the ABMS, AOA, or another
organization approved by the board.
 1 / 3
 Yes/
If worked last 3 years
and obtained 150 CMEs
in any increment can
send letter w/app
requesting waiver on
SPEX - include proof of
CMEs
 4 attempts per
step / 10
South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners An applicant who has
failed to successfully complete and pass any one of the three steps of the USMLE
in three attempts is required to be ABMS certified.
 3 / 3
 No
 3 attempts per
step / 7
Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners You must have successfully completed
a medical licensure examination or an approved combination of examinations. If
you are submitting USMLE scores, all three steps must be taken and passed
within ten (10) years of the first successful step unless you qualify under an
exception (please consult the Board). An applicant who fails any step of the
USMLE or FLEX more than three (3) times must show ABMS board certification
and proof of meeting requirements for Maintenance of Certification to be
considered for licensure.
 1 / 3
 No
 3 / 10
Tennessee Board of Osteopathic Examiners
 2 / N/A
   N / A
Texas State Board of Medical Examiners
 1 / 2
 No
 3 attempts per
step / 7
or 10 if MD/PhD
waiver
Utah Department of Commerce    
Physicians Licensing Board
 2 / 2
 No
 3 / 7
or 10 if MD/PhD
Utah Department of Commerce    
Board of Osteopathic Medicine
 2 / 2
   N / A
Vermont Board of Medical Practice  
 1 / 3
 No
 3 / 7
waiver
Vermont Board of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons
 1 / 3
   N / A
Virginia Board of Medicine
 1 / 2
 No
 none / 10
waiver
Virgin Islands Board of Medical Examiners
(340) 774-0117/ Fax:(340) 777-4001 Requirements
 1 / 3
 No
 none / 7
SPEX is required
Washington Medical Quality Assurance Commission
 2 / 2
1 / 1 if < 7/1985
 No
 3 / 7
or 10 if MD/PhD
waiver
Washington State Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery
 1 / N/A
   N / A
West Virginia Board of Medicine An applicant who has failed to successfully
complete and pass any one of the three steps of the USMLE in three attempts is
required to appear before the Board for a determination by the Board, in its
discretion, as to what, if any, further education, evaluation and training is required
for further consideration of licensure. 02/13
 1 / 3 or 1 if
ABMS
 No
 3 attempts per
step / 10
West Virginia Board of Osteopathy
 1 / N/A
   N / A
Wisconsin Medical Examining Board  Applicants who have completed a standard
M.D. training program shall complete all 3 steps of the examination sequence
within 10 years from the date upon which the applicant first passes a step, either
step 1 or step 2. Applicants who have completed a combined M.D. and Ph.D.
medical scientist training program shall complete all 3 steps of the examination
sequence within 12 years from the date upon which the applicant first passes a
step, either step 1 or step 2. Applicants who have passed a step may not repeat
the step unless required to do so in order to comply with the 10−year or 12−year
time limit. If the applicant fails to achieve a passing grade on any step, the
applicant may apply for and be reexamined on only the step failed according to
the reexamination provisions of s. Med 1.08 (1).
 2 / 2
 No
 3 attempts per
step / 10
Wyoming Board of Medicine
One (1) year of postgraduate training in an A.C.G.M.E., A.O.A. or R.C.P.S.C.
accredited program is also excepted if current certification by a medical specialty
board that is a member of the A.B.M.S. or the B.O.S.B.O.C.; or continuous full and
unrestricted medical licensure in good standing in one or more states and/or the
District of Columbia for the preceding five (5) years.
 2 / 2
 No
 7 total attempts in
7 years
Solution for your medical license needs.
State Medical Board License Requirements
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unrestricted medical license before practicing medicine in that state.

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NOTES:

For U.S. and Canadian medical school graduates the LMCC exam is accepted by all US medical boards except those
exceptions listed below:
  • Florida requires that the SPEX exam be taken in addition to being licensed in the U.S. or Canada for at least 10 years.
  • Illinois accepts the LMCC if received after 4/1970, otherwise board certification, SPEX or USMLE 3 is required.
  • Iowa requires the LMCC be endorsed by a provincial licensing board.
  • Missouri requires graduation from a Canadian medical school.
  • New Jersey requires that physicians be licensed in another U.S. state and be board certified.
  • Pennsylvania accepts the LMCC if received after 5/1970. English version
  • Puerto Rico accepts the LMCC if you hold another U.S. medical license.
  • Washington accepts the LMCC if received after 1969.
  • Wisconsin accepts the LMCC if received after 1/1/78.
  • Kansas, Louisiana, Guam and Virgin Islands do not accept the LMCC.
  • If you are an international medical school graduate, you must be ECFMG certified and have completed all steps of the
    USMLE.

ECFMG - Educational Council for Foreign Medical Graduates. This certification is required for all international medical graduates.

ABMS - American Board of Medical Specialties.

IMG - International medical graduate. A doctor that graduated from a medical school outside of the US and Canada.

AMG - American medical graduate. A doctor that graduated from an American medical school.    
About State Medical Boards

Purpose

Medicine is a regulated profession because of the potential harm to the public if an incompetent or
impaired physician is licensed to practice. To protect the public from the unprofessional, improper,
unlawful, fraudulent and/or incompetent practice of medicine, each of the 50 states, the District of
Columbia, and the U.S. territories has a medical practice act that defines the practice of medicine
and delegates the authority to enforce the law to a state medical board.

State medical boards license physicians, investigate complaints, discipline those who violate the
law, conduct physician evaluations and facilitate rehabilitation of physicians where appropriate. By
following up on complaints, medical boards give the public a way to enforce basic standards of
competence and ethical behavior in their physicians, and physicians a way to protect the integrity of
their profession. State medical boards also adopt policies and guidelines related to the practice of
medicine. There are currently 70 state medical boards authorized to regulate allopathic and
osteopathic physicians.

AUTHORITY and STRUCTURE

The 10th Amendment of the United States Constitution authorizes states to establish laws and
regulations protecting the health, safety, and general welfare of their citizens.  In response to the
10th Amendment, each state legislature enacted a Medical Practice Act that defines the proper
practice of medicine and responsibility of the medical board to regulate that practice.

The structure and authority of medical boards vary from state to state. Some boards are
independent and maintain all licensing and disciplinary powers, while others are part of a larger
umbrella agency, such as a state department of health. State medical boards are typically made up
of volunteer physicians and members of the public who are, in most cases, appointed by the
governor and paid a nominal stipend for their service. The majority of state boards employ an
administrative staff including an executive officer, attorneys, investigators and licensing staff. The
state legislature determines the financial resources of most boards. Some boards are funded
directly from physician licensing and registration fees.

Protecting the Public: How State Medical Boards Regulate and Discipline
Physicians

Each state charges its medical board with protecting the public from the unprofessional, improper,
unlawful or incompetent practice of medicine. Boards carry out this mission based on the legal
authority defined in their state's Medical Practice Act and their financial resources, which are
determined by the state legislature.

Licensing

Obtaining a license to practice medicine in the U.S. is a rigorous process. State medical boards
ensure that those entering the profession have met predetermined qualifications that include
medical school graduation, postgraduate training, and passage of the United States Medical
Licensing Examination (USMLE), comprising a rigorous three-part written exam and an exam that
tests clinical and communications skills. Applicants must also provide details about their work
history, any arrests and convictions, and reveal information regarding past medical history that may
affect their ability to practice. Only those who meet a state’s predetermined qualifications are
granted permission to practice medicine in that state.

After physicians are licensed, they must re-register periodically to continue their active status.
During this re-registration process, physicians must demonstrate that they have maintained
acceptable standards of professional conduct and medical practice. In a majority of states,
physicians must also show that they have participated in a program of continuing medical education.

Investigatory and Disciplinary Powers

Medical boards also monitor licensed physicians’ competence and professional conduct. They
review and investigate complaints and/or reports received from patients, health professionals,
government agencies, health care organizations and other state medical boards about physicians
who may be incompetent or acting unprofessionally, and take appropriate action against a physician’
s license if the person is found to have violated the law. State laws require that boards assure
fairness and due process to any physician under investigation.

While medical boards sometimes find it necessary to suspend or revoke licenses, regulators have
found many problems can be resolved with additional education or training in appropriate areas. In
other instances, it may be more appropriate to place physicians on probation or place restrictions
on a physician’s license to practice. This compromise protects the public while maintaining a
valuable community resource in the physician. Probation and restrictions of a medical license can
also be in place while a physician receives further training or rehabilitation.

If a board determines a violation has occurred, common actions include:
  • Reprimand or Censure -- physician receives a public admonishment;
  • Administrative Fine/Monetary Penalty -- physician must pay a civil penalty fee imposed by the
    board;
  • Restitution -- physician must reimburse a patient or entity for monies improperly earned;
  • Probation -- physician's license is monitored for a period of time;
  • Limitation or Restriction -- physician's license is restricted in some way (e.g. a physician is
    prohibited from performing specific procedures or prescribing certain drugs);
  • Suspension -- physician may not practice for a period of time;
  • Summary Suspension -- physician's license is suspended immediately, with evidence that
    their medical practice presents a threat to public health and safety;
  • Voluntary Surrender of License -- physician surrenders license to avoid further disciplinary
    action;
  • Denial -- physician isn't granted a license to practice or license isn't renewed;
  • Revocation -- physician's license is terminated; physician can no longer practice medicine.


The articles above are from the FSMB
The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) is a national non-profit organization representing
the 70 medical boards of the United States and its territories. Based in Dallas, the FSMB serves as
the national voice for its member boards and is a recognized authority throughout the United States
on issues related to medical licensure and discipline. Their mission is: To continuously improve the
quality, safety and integrity of health care through developing and promoting high standards for
physician licensure and practice.
ADVISORY - State medical board requirements are subject to interpretation
and change without notice. We do our best to keep this information current.
Please let us know if you find information to the contrary.