Obtaining Your Independent
Medical License
VBLSS, 2013
What we wish we had known…
• You can do this AS SOON as your Step 3 score report is
back – and you should!
• The process goes much quicker if you move quickly and
efficiently!
• If you know what you need to do going in, you can
reduce unnecessary delays!
• You must have your license BEFORE you can begin
credentialing processes at your future institutions – and
credentialing can take up to 2 months!
– Which means ---- your goal should be to have your
license before May!
What we wish we had known…
• This is a long process with multiple steps.
• The entire process can and often takes up to 6 months.
• Start ASAP and don’t forget to send all the required documents!
– Document Checklist is KEY!
• http://www.med.ohio.gov/pdf/Applications/mddoapp.pdf
• Make sure to include all gaps or transitions in training and explain
them clearly.
• Save all receipts for tax season and make sure itemize as these are
business related expenses.
Who needs to get their license?
• Anyone who will be working in any general internal
medicine position in July 2014
• Future chief residents
• Any fellow who wants to do external moonlighting or be
‘ahead of the game’
– Bottom Line: Fellows do not need independent medical licenses
to train during fellowship – they are covered under the training
licenses you all currently maintain (for $35/year)
– VA UCC Moonlighting as a Fellow requires independent license
($150/hr!)
The Steps
FCVS Application
State Board Application
DEA # Application
Credentialing
$325
$335 + $70
Background Check +
$39 AMA Profile
$731
Step 1 – Complete FCVS
Application
• Applicants who complete the FCVS verification
process establish a permanent, lifetime portfolio
of primary-source verified credentials - allowing
easy and cost-effective access to medical
credentials whenever they are needed
• Nearly all state medical and osteopathic boards
accept or require FCVS
http://www.fsmb.org/fcvs.html
Click “Begin Application”  Register as a New User
FCVS
• On FCVS, you will fill out an online application.
• You will designate the states to whom the
application should be sent.
• You will send in a number of documents
– Copy of med school diploma
– Marriage license if you had a name change
– Passport OR certified birth certificate
• Will be returned to you…may take up to 2 mo to get back
Uniform Application
• This is the next step after completion of your FCVS profile and
is accessed through the same website.
• This can only be done AFTER your FCVS application has been
submitted, which you receive email notice of (Can take 1-2
months+).
States that use the Uniform
Application (for other states, check
out their individual Board websites)
Complete and submit the
online application. Many
areas are auto-populated
from your completed
FCVS.
Click “Forms &
Affidavits”.
2 Forms need printed,
signed and mailed:
“Affidavit &
Authorization”
“Addendum”
Ohio State Addendum
• Attach 2 recent
color passport
pictures, fill out
these forms and
give to Barb. She
will notarize & mail
them to the Board
for you.
• Print 2 copies.
Attach passport
photos to these
and give to
Barb. She will
have them filled
out by KBA,
notarize and
mail to the
Board.
• Fill this out, give
to Barb who will
have KBA sign it.
This is the only
form that can be
faxed (or mailed
together will all
the other forms).
Complete a Background Check
• You must use “WebCheck”, Ohio’s electronic fingerprint
system to submit fingerprints and background check to the
board. You must perform both BCII and FBI checks.
• Find a list of vendors here:
www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Services/Business/WebCheck
available sites of finger printing can also be found at this website:
http://www.fastfingerprints.com/Public/LocationList.aspx
Cost is around $70.
Go with 2 forms of ID.
Request that result be mailed to the Board:
State Medical Board of Ohio
30 East Broad Street, 3rd Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-6127
Complete an AMA Profile
• Request a physician profile from the AMA. You
order this directly (costs around $40). It is sent
electronically.
• www.ama-assn.org/amaprofiles
• Osteopathic grads must request a profile from
the American Osteopathic Association
https://www.doprofiles.org
Waiting…
• After everything is submitted to the State Board, they have 30 days to
review your application.
• April Battle, April.Battle@med.state.oh.us is the contact person at the Ohio
State Board – she will respond to your inquiries by email but can take days
to do so.
• You will receive a letter by mail during this time period giving you login
information to follow the status of your application.
• Missing items will be requested after the 30 day review process, and your
application will be re-reviewed upon their receipt.
• It is via this website that you will be informed of when your license number
has been given to you.
DEA Number
• Only after your license number has been
granted can you pursue this.
• http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/reg
_apps/onlineforms_new.htm
• A much quicker but more expensive process.
Turnaround is in weeks, not months.
Good Luck!