State | By Endorsement/ reciprocity? | ECFMG certificate Required or considered? | Which Qualifying exams? | Other |
Alabama Alabama State Board of Medical Examiners
Larry D. Dixon, Executive Administrator
P.O. Box 946
Montgomery, AL 36101-0946
(street address: 848 Washington Ave., 36104)
(334) 242-4116 / Fax:(334) 242-4155
(800) 227-2606
www.albme.org | Yes If exams taken after 1/1/2000 must complete all USMLE parts Combinations of other exams are accepted before 1/1/2000 (parts of NBME/USMLE, FLEX, etc., according to state chart) FLEX, NBOME, LMCC If exams taken before 1/1/2000 (passing score is minimum of 75 at each exam): (a) NBME Part 1 or USMLE step 1; plus NBME Part 11 or USMLE step 2; plus NBME Part III or USMLE Step 3 OR (b) FLEX component 1; plus USMLE step 3 OR (c) NBME Part 1 or USMLE Step 1; plus NBME Part 11 or USMLE Step 2; Plus FLEX Component 2 | Yes If not LCME accredited Except some schools that are not approved | USMLE part 1,2,3 OR FLEX, NBOME, LMCC | Diploma or evidence of graduation from an LCME/AMA accredited school or ECFMG Attendance in residency program or clinical program of instruction or clinical rotations at a medical education facility (as part of schooling) PLUS 1 year of post graduate residency training in an accredited program certain applicants who have not passed a written state licensing exam, USMLE or other within 10 years prior to application will take the SPEX (Special purpose examination) and achieve score of 75+ or be certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties |
Alaska Alaska State Medical Board
Leslie G. Abel, Executive Administrator
3601 C Street, Suite 722
Anchorage, AK 99503-5986
(907) 269-8163 / Fax:(907) 269-8196
http://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/pmed.htm
| Yes For doctors licensed in another US state or Canadian province exam may be waived if they passed an equivalent exam to the USMLE or have passed one of the following exams: NBME, FLEX or NBOME | Yes Required from all foreign graduates | USMLE Step 3 Minimum 75 | Successful graduation from an accredited US/ Canadian medical school If graduated prior to 1/1/1995 – 1 year of postgraduate training, if graduated after 1/1/1995 – 2 years of postgraduate training If foreign graduate – must graduate from a medical school listed in the World Health Organization Directory Plus 3 years of postgraduate training in accredited programs in the US or Canada All applicants must verify all medical licenses in the US and international |
Arizona Arizona Board of Medical Examiners
Claudia Foutz, Executive Director
9545 East Doubletree Ranch Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
(480) 551-2700 / Fax: (480) 551-2701
www.bomex.org
| Yes With exams combinations as follows (minimum passing score of each exam is 75): NBME Parts 1+2 AND USMLE step 3 or component n or FLEX (with scaled score of 75) or Flex component I and USMLE step 3 (with scaled score of 75) Or NBME Part one or USABLE Step 1 (with scaled score of 75) AND NBME Part 2 or USMLE Step 2 (with scaled score of 75) AND NBME Part 3 or USMLE step 3 or FLEX component II (with a scaled score of 75) | Yes For all non-approved medical school graduates Except if applicant completed fifth pathway program | USMLE Part 1,2,3 Minimum 75 in all parts; taken between a 7 year period Or be certified by the licensing medical council of Canada, or passed the FLEX If applicant took the FLEX exam prior to 1/1/1985 must have passed with minimum of 75. If FLEX taken after 12/1/1984 both component I and n must have been passed between a 5 year period and minimum of 75. | US/Canadian graduates: 12 months hospital approved internship (approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or a similar American or Canadian entity) + passage of NBME, FLEX, USMLE 1+2+3 and State written/oral examination Endorsement applicants who have not passed a written state licensing exam, USMLE or other within 10 years prior to application will take the SPEX (Special purpose examination) Graduates of non-approved schools must prove proficiency in English + ECFMG + FLEX + USMLE 1+2+3 + fifth pathway program or 36 months of full time assistant professor or higher position in an approved school or medicine Plus (if fifth pathway program is taken, ECFMG certification not needed) 24 months approved hospital internship, residency or clinical fellowship program for a total of 36 month unless successfully completed a fifth pathway program or serves as a full time assistant professor or higher position at an approved school of medicine |
Arkansas Arkansas State Medical Board
Peggy P. Cryer, Executive Secretary
2100 Riverfront Dr., Suite 200
Little Rock, AR 72202-1793
(501) 296-1802 / Fax:(501) 296-1805
www.armedicalboard.org | No reciprocity AR must re-verify all the information, exam results and education | ECFMG certification, except Canadians with LMCC exam results | USMLE 1, 2 and 3 Or LMCC Or combination of national boards, such as FLEX comp 1 + USMLE 2 +3, depending on when the physician was originally licensed | All applicants must complete one year of post graduate training or internship in the US Full credentialing if the applicant passed USMLE for another US state |
California Medical Board of California
Ronald Joseph, Executive Director
1426 Howe Ave., Suite 54
Sacramento, CA 95825-3236
(916) 263-2389 / Fax:(916) 263-2387
(800) 633-2322
www.medbd.ca.gov | Yes With NBME endorsement EBHAR profiles With letters of good standing or license history certification required from each license obtained in any US or Canadian territory | ECFMG certification (not required if passed the FLEX before Jan. 1, 1986) Official breakdown of undergraduate clinical clerkships or certificate of clinical training (if it was completed outside the primary teaching hospital) | | Original pre-medical school transcripts from every college attended Original school transcripts from every medical school attended Certificate of completion of ACGME or RCPSC post-graduate training Fingerprints Photograph |
Colorado Colorado Board of Medical Examiners
Susan Miller, Program Administrator
1560 Broadway, Suite 1300
Denver, CO 80202-5140
(303) 894-7690 / Fax:(303) 894-7692
www.dora.state.co.us/medical | Yes With exam results (may also reciprocate with state exam rather than national exams). | ECFMG required from foreign graduates except Canadians | Passage of: NBME and USMLE Or LMCC Or FLEX Combinations available | Graduation from an ACGME approved medical school and completion of one year of approved postgraduate training Foreign educated physicians are evaluated on a case by case basis after ECFMG Foreign graduates must complete three years of ACGME/AOA approved clinical post-graduate training in the US or Canada and take the national board of medical examiners exam (USMLE/NBME) or FLEX. |
Connecticut Connecticut Medical Examining Board
Jeff Kardys, Board Liaison
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
(street address 410 Capitol Ave. MS13PHO)
(860) 509-7648 / Fax:(860) 509-7553
Licensing Information,(860) 509-7563 | No reciprocity But past licensing tests results for other states may be accepted (no need to re-take exams) | ECFMG Certificate | USMLE 1+2+3 Or FLEX Or NBME Or Combination | Graduation of an approved US or Canadian school or ECFMG plus 2 years of post graduate training or residency for all applicants |
Delaware Delaware Board of Medical Practice
Douglas J. Reed, Executive Director
P.O. Box 1401
Dover, DE 19903
(street address: 861 Silver Lake Blvd., Cannon Building, Suite 203, 19904)
(302) 739-4522 / Fax:(302) 739-2711
www.state.de.us/license/28/index.htm. | No reciprocity But past licensing test results may be transferred (do not have to re-take exams) with verification of education | ECFMG Except Canadians | USMLE 1+2+3 Or FLEX Or NBME Or combination Depending upon years when exams taken | Graduation of an approved US or Canadian school and 1 full year of US internship Foreign school graduates must do 3 years of internship in the US in an accredited program |
DC District of Columbia Board of Medicine
James R. Granger, Jr., Executive Director
825 North Capital Street, NE, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 442-9200/ Fax: (202) 442-9431
www.dchealth.com | | | USMLE 1+2+3 | Graduation of an approved medical school in the US or Canada |
Florida Florida Board of Medicine
Tanya J. Williams, Executive Director
4052 Bald Cypress Way, BIN #C03
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1753
(850) 245-4131/ Fax:(850) 488-9325
www.doh.state.fl.us | Yes Applicants by endorsements if licensed prior to 1/1/2000 must receive passing score at NBME, FLEX or USMLE and actively practiced for at least 2 of the immediately preceding 4 years or have completed a board approved postgraduate training program within the 2 preceding years before filing the application | ECFMG certificate required from foreign graduates Or fifth pathway | USMLE 3 (after 1+2) or FLEX or NBME or SPEX exam if other exams not taken and have been practicing in the US or Canada for over 10 years | Applicants that graduated from medical school after 10/1/1992 must complete 2 academic years of pre-professional, post-secondary education and complete at least one year of approved residency |
Georgia Georgia Composite State Board of Medical Examiners
Karen Mason, Executive Director
2 Peachtree Street, NW, 6th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303-3465
(404) 656-3913 / Fax:(404) 656-9723
www.medicalboard.state.ga.us | No reciprocity Exams may be waived if taken previously for another state Must meet all GA requirements | ECFMG certificate for all IMGs Fifth pathway applicants are exempt from the ECFMG certification but must pass the ECFMG qualifying exam with a score of 75+ | USMLE steps 1+2+3 Or Approved combination of various exams (NBME, FLEX I and II, Canadian NCCQE) | All applicants must have one year of post graduate training (except for Canadian with LMCC certification) All applicant must have certification of medical education (where received AMA training) Must provide all states where licensed IMGs must submit a notarized copy of their original diploma and transcripts (also notarized English translation of both diploma and transcripts) IMGs graduated before 7/1/1985 – school must be approved by the board as of the date of graduation (ECFMG certification) IMGs graduated after 7/1/1985 from a school not approved by the board must complete three years of board approved (ACGME) post-graduate residency in the US. |
Hawaii Hawaii Board of Medical Examiners
Constance Cabral-Makanani, Executive Officer
Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 3469
Honolulu, HI 96801
(street address: 1010 Richards St., 96813)
(808) 586-3000 / Fax:(808) 586-2874
www.state.hi.us | No reciprocity Must send verification of licenses from any other states Applicants who passed licensing exams for another state do not have to take exams again for Hawaii | ECFMG Certification Or Fifth pathway certificate complying with AMA policy For foreign medical school graduates Or three years of approved residency | FLEX components 1+2, NBME parts 1+2+3, USMLE steps 1+2+3 OR combinations of these exams prior to 2000: Each part of the NBME may be credited for the same USMLE step; FLEX comp 1 credited for steps 1+2 of USMLE; FLEX comp 2 credited for USMLE step 3 | Must be a graduate from an LCME (Liaison Committee on Medical Education) approved school and have at least one year in a residency program approved by ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education). If residency done outside the US, the applicant must satisfy the board that the program has same standards to those approved by ACGME. Foreign medical graduates must serve at least 2 years in an ACGME accredited program in the US or Canada + ECFMG/Fifth pathway FMGs who were not certified by ECFMG but passed the ECFMG qualifying exam prior to 1984 may be licensed if passed the FLEX, USMLE or approved combination, and have at least three years of medical training or experience in a hospital approved by the AMA Applicants who passed the FLEX exam prior to 1985 with FLEX Weighted Average of at least 75 are not required to sit for further exams. If passed FLEX after 1984, must have a score of 75 in each component Applicants that are licensed in another state by virtue of passing that state’s exam may sit for the SPEX exam administered by FSMB. |
Idaho Idaho State Board of Medicine
Darleene Thorsted, Executive Director
Statehouse mail
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0058
(street address: 1755 Westgate Drive, Suite 140, 83704)
(208) 327-7000 / Fax:(208) 327-7005
www.bom.state.id.us | Yes If applicants are diplomats of the NBME (National Board of Medical Examiners) or USMLE or hold a valid license received after examination in a state with standards equivalent to Idaho. Oral or written exam may be required | ECFMG Certificate required | USMLE Or NBME Or FLEX Or State Boards | Graduation from an approved medical school plus approved one year internship in the US or Canada Foreign graduates must graduate from an approved medical school and have 3 years of post-graduate training in the US or Canada If they have graduated from a foreign medical school that is not approved and they are board certified + ECFMG + FLEX, foreign medical school may be waived if not approved otherwise A personal interview may be required |
Illinois Illinois Department of Professional Regulation
Leonard Sherman, Director
(Discipline)
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph St., 9-300
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 814-4500 / Fax:(312) 814-1837 www.dpr.state.il.us | Yes If graduate of a board approved US or foreign medical program or graduation of 6 year post secondary studies including 4 years of medical education With license verification in each state or country | ECFMG certification required from foreign graduates | USMLE 1+2+3 OR NBME, FLEX or SPEX or COMSPEX-USA Or combination | Graduation from an approved school plus postgraduate training of one year if residency program done before 12/31/1987 If after 1/1/1988 must complete two years of residency NBME I+II+III (each NBME part in lieu of same USMLE part) Or FLEX 1+ USMLE 3 Or NBME 1+2 (or USMLE 1+2) + FLEX 2 Or FLEX 1+2 taken before 1/1/1995 |
Indiana Indiana Health Professions Bureau
Lisa R. Hayes, Executive Director
402 W. Washington St., Room 041
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 232-2960 / Fax:(317) 233-4236
www.ai.org/hpb | Endorsement of license is entirely at the discretion of the board of Indiana. A license in another state does not assure license in Indiana Must verify each state where applicant holds a medical license and AMA and Federation of State Medical Board verification | ECFMG certification from foreign graduates Or VQE or FMGEMS certificate | USMLE 1, 2, 3 Or FLEX, NBME, NBOME LMCC approved combinations (1) FLEX component I+II (2) NBME Parts I+II+III (3) NBME I+II and FLEX II (4) NBME I+II and USMLE part III (5) FLEX component I and USMLE step III | Official transcripts from medical school (if foreign school must be notarized) Notarized copy of medical degree Notarized postgraduate training certificate If US or Canadian graduates one year of approved internship If foreign medical school graduates – two years of approved internship |
Iowa Iowa State Board of Medical Examiners
Ann Mowery, Ph.D., Executive Director
400 Southwest Eighth Street, Suite C
Des Moines, IA 50309-4686
(515) 281-5171 / Fax:(515) 242-5908
http://www.docboard.org/ia/ia_home.htm | Must provide to the board copies of all medical licenses held by applicant | ECFMG certification required from foreign graduates (except Canadians) or fifth pathway program | USMLE Or NBME or FLEX or NBOME or COMLEX or LMCC or A state structured exam | Medical degree from a board approved institution plus one year of postgraduate training OR (1) ECFMG or (2) fifth pathway program or (3) SPEX or US or Canadian medical licensing exam with 3 years of approved postgraduate training and five years of active medical practice in the US or Canada or (4) SPEX, US or Canadian medical licensing exam and a specialty board certification approved by ABMS or AOA, plus five years of medical practice in the US or Canada |
Kansas Kansas Board of Healing Arts
Lawrence Buening, Jr., J.D., Executive Director
235 SW Topeka Blvd.
Topeka, KS 66603-3068
(785) 296-7413 / Fax:(785) 296-0852
www.ink.org/public/boha | | | | |
Kentucky Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure
C. William Schmidt, Executive Director
Hurstbourne Office Park
310 Whittington Parkway, Suite 1B
Louisville, KY 40222-4916
(502) 429-8046 / Fax:(502) 429-9923
www.state.ky.us/agencies/kbml | Yes Must provide proof of license in another state and qualify under one of the licensing examinations or combinations | ECFMG certification required Or Diplomacy of an approved American specialty board | USMLE steps 1+2+3 Or NBME 1+2+3 Or NBOME 1+2+3 Or FLEX component 1+2 (75+ on both) Or State board exam if taken prior to 1972 | Graduation from a medical school approved by the board (LCME approved). Medical education obtained outside the US or Canada is evaluated by the board on an individual basis and must be listed in the World Health Organization directory of medical schools. All applicants must complete minimum of two years post graduate residency approved by the ACGME IMGs must have ECFMG certification OR proof of being a diplomat of an approved American specialty board |
Louisiana Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners
Virginia G. Benoist, J.D., Executive Director
P.O. Box 30250
New Orleans, LA 70190-0250
(street address: 630 Camp St., 70130)
(504) 568-6820 / Fax:(504) 568-8893
www.lsbme.org | Yes With approved exams combinations Based on USMLE or FLEX for foreign graduates plus three years of approved training If applicant has not passed an exam within 10 years prior to application, he/she must take the SPEX exam unless applicant passed any American Board of Medical Specialities | ECFMG certification required of all foreign educated physicians | USMLE steps 1+2+3 Or FSMB or SPEX or FLEX or NBME if exam taken in past 10 years | Graduation from an approved medical school Foreign graduates must complete ECFMG certification and three years of approved training in the US or Canada. |
Maine Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine
Randal C. Manning, Executive Director
137 State House Station (U.S. mail)
2 Bangor Street, 2nd Floor (delivery service)
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 287-3601 / Fax:(207) 287-6590
www.docboard.org/me/me_home.htm | | ECFMG certification required from foreign educated physicians Or one of the substitutions | USMLE 1+2+3 Or FLEX or NBME Or approved combination All exams must be completed within 7 years | Graduation of an approved medical school Post graduate training: if graduated after 1/1/1970 must complete 2 years; if graduated before 1/1/1970 must complete one year Any applicant who is ABMS board certified who graduated prior to 1/1/1982 is deemed to meet the postgraduate training requirement If foreign educated – must complete three years of post graduate training (in US, Canada or UK) Must also have ECFMG certificate or CFMGEMS (Certification of Foreign Medical Graduate Examination in the Medical Sciences) or VQE (Visa Qualifying Examination) or completion of a fifth pathway program |
Maryland Maryland Board of Physician Quality Assurance
C. Irving Pinder, Executive Director
P.O. Box 2571
Baltimore, MD 21215-0095
(street address: 4201 Patterson Ave., third floor, 21215)
(410) 764-4777 / Fax:(410) 358-2252
(800) 492-6836
http://www.docboard.org/md/default.htm | | ECFMG certification | | All candidates must demonstrate written and spoken competency in English by GED or English college education OR graduation from an English speaking medical school OR TOEFL score of 550 (213 on computer based) or passage of ECFMG English test and TSE (min. 220) OR OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) |
Massachusetts Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine
Nancy Achin Sullivan, Executive Director
10 West St., 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 727-3086 / Fax:(617) 451-9568
(800) 377-0550
www.massmedboard.org | | ECFMG Certificate for foreign graduates | USMLE Steps 1+2+3 Or NBME parts 1+2+3 or FLEX part 1+2 Or LMCC 1+2 Or State exam if taken prior to 6/19/1970 | Education requirements: 2 or more years of pre-medical education in a US college and 4 years of medical education For US or Canadian graduates one year of postgraduate training approved by ACGME or RRC (for Canadians) For international graduates ECFMG certificate plus two years of approved postgraduate training |
Michigan Michigan Board of Medicine
Melanie Brim, Licensing Director
P.O. Box 30670
Lansing, MI 48909-7518
(street address: 611 W. Ottawa St, 1st floor, 48933
(517) 373-6873 / Fax:(517) 373-2179
www.cis.state.mi.us/bhser | Yes With exam scores and verification of another license Unless licensed over 10 years in another state no exam requirements just verification of other state license | ECFMG certificate for foreign graduates | USMLE 1+2+3 Or: FLEX Or NBME | All applicants, US and foreign educated, must complete 2 years of postgraduate training |
Minnesota Minnesota Board of Medical Practice
Robert A. Leach, J.D., Executive Director
University Park Plaza
2829 University Ave. SE, Suite 400
Minneapolis, MN 55414-3246
(612) 617-2130 / Fax:(612) 617-2166
Hearing impaired 1-800-627-3529
www.bmp.state.mn.us | Yes Applicants still have to meet all of the statutory requirements or Minnesota (education, exams, etc.) to be certified | ECFMG certificate required prior to USMLE 3 | USMLE 1+2+3 Or FLEX Or NBME Or another examination taken previously | US graduates must complete 1 year of postgraduate training International graduates must complete 2 years of postgraduate training |
Mississippi Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure
W. Joseph Burnett, M.D., Director
1867 Crane Ridge Drive, Suite 200B
Jackson, MS 39216
(601) 987-3079 / Fax:(601) 987-4159
www.msbml.state.ms.us | Yes Have to go through the same licensing requirement and application process even if licensed in another state | ECFMG certificate required | USMLE 3 Or FLEX Or NBME Or combination | US graduates must complete 1 year of postgraduate training Foreign graduates must complete 3 years of postgraduate training |
