North Carolina Medical License

After graduating from medical school the only thing that stands between you and your medical practice is getting a license.

In North Carolina, the licensing process is quite simple. As the state provides well-written checklists and an easy-to-use online portal.

If you do everything right and choose a good strategy, you will get your physician license in just four months.

In order to find all the important information and a step-by-step guide, continue reading.

What You Need to Do Before Applying

The NC Medical Board (NCMB) requirements are similar to other State Medical Boards’ requirements.

This process will be easier if you attended an accredited medical school program, passed the exams, and took the port-grad training.

To start the application you need some tools.

Using FCVS to Speed Up the Process

To submit the documents fast and easily, sign up for Federation Credentials Verification Services.

The FCVS gathers all your physician information and helps you to send your documents altogether.

These documents include:

• Birth certificate or passport
• NBME exam history release forms
• Medical school diploma
• Fifth Pathway certificate
• GME completion certificate

So, if you are ready you provide all these documents to the NCMB, just indicate “North Carolina” as a receiver.

Although you must pay an extra $375, it has its advantages.

You can make the document submission process faster and also you can apply to the different boards without any problem.

Getting an FCVS account can take months, so be sure to plan it earlier.

A Couple of Critical Notes

Unlike other states, the NCMB accepts all the medical schools. So, there is no approved school. You can meet the education requirement, just attending a legal medical school.

With the application, you also have to send some forms.

It is very easy to send these forms to the NC Medical Board, you just can send them by email at [email protected].

Your NCMB online profile will show the submitted forms in 12-15 days.

The Forms, Proof, and Documents You’ll Need to Provide

If you plan not to use the FCVS, you must be more careful in this step.

Here’s a view of the forms or proof that you need:

• Proof of Residency – all US residents must provide a birth certificate or passport. And non-residents must provide proof of legal residencies.
• Name Change Documentation – if you have changed your name, you must provide that document.
• Medical Education Proof – the medical school has to complete the medical education (and CME) forms.
• Post-grad training Verification – this form must be completed by the training institution
• Proof of Licensing Exams – the acceptable exams are COMLEX, FLEX, NBOME, NBME, State written exam, USMLE. This must be provided directly from the official exam organization.
• Medical School Transcripts – you must send this if you have attended more than one medical school
• Two Reference Forms – the two physicians who are not related to you, must complete the reference.

Foreign Applicant Requirements

The foreign applicant needs to take extra steps to get a license in the US.

You must provide the extra ECFMG certificate or an ECFMG exam score transcript.

So, request the ECFMG to send your Certification Status Report to the NC Medical Board.

Your program head has to complete the Fifth Pathway verification too.

Filling Out Your Application for the North Carolina Medical Board

In North Carolina, the physician license application is quite simple as it is all online.

What You’ll Need to Complete the Application

First, you must make a profile on the online portal.

It is also important for the easy process, to use a computer with Microsoft Windows, use Internet Explorer and disable the popup blocker in your browser.

You also need to have a printer to print all the necessary forms. But, make sure to indicate at the beginning if you are using FCVS, so you can complete the right one.

What Details They’ll Ask You For

There is a lot of details that you need to provide to be a part of the North Carolina Medical Society. It includes information from high school till now.

Here are some criteria that you need to complete

• Personal information
• Details about your medical school & postgraduate training
• History of complaints, reprimands, and disciplinary action
• Illegal drug use, convictions, and charges
• Malpractice suits and charges brought against you by the Board in the past.

For all the questions that you answer “yes”, you also need to explain it.

As you need to prove to the board that you are the right applicant, you need to provide detailed answers.

What Comes Next

Once you have completed the application, there are a few more steps to take.

1.Completing the Applicant’s Oath

All you need to do is to:

• print your name
• write that all the information is correct
• provide an agreement about to release your info
• attach a color photo

All these need to be signed and have a notary seal. And send it to the NCMB via mail.

2.Getting Fingerprinted

You need to provide a background check and fingerprint card.

Approximate Timeline For Licensure

Once you start your online application you have a year to send all the necessary documentation.

The licensing process typically lasts 4 months. It can extend to six months if you apply in March and August.

Fees to Expect

There are some extra costs that you need to pay for your North Carolina medical license. It includes:

• Application fee-$400
• FCVS registration fee-$375
• Fingerprinting fee-$38
• Donation to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB)-$2

Altogether it will cost $440 without the FCVS and with it $815.

How do I verify a medical license in North Carolina?

In order to verify a medical license, you need to send a request to the NCMB website.