Effective October 1, 2011,  International Medical School (IMG) graduates will be required to apply for a full license using FCVS.  Canadian graduates are not considered IMG’s.

Below is a list of eligibility requirements for obtaining a license not using FCVS. The Board reserves the right to make whatever additional demands on the applicant for licensure the Board deems appropriate at the time. Below is a summary of what is listed in the rules of Chapter 32 of the North Carolina Administrative Code.

Note: If you have a completed profile with the Federation’s Credential Verification Service (FCVS), DO NOT complete this application. You will then need to complete the License by Endorsement Application using FCVS. If you are unsure whether you have a profile, you should contact FCVS

FCVS was established in September 1996 to provide a centralized, uniform process for state medical boards to obtain a verified, primary source record of a physician’s core medical credentials.  FCVS obtains primary source verification of medical education, postgraduate training, examination history, board action history, board certification and identity. This repository of information allows a physician to establish a confidential, lifetime professional portfolio with FCVS which can be forwarded, at the physician’s request, to any state medical board that has established an agreement with FCVS, hospital, health care or any other entity.

Submit all materials to:
NC Medical Board
PO Box 20007, Raleigh, NC 27619 or;
1203 Front Street, Raleigh, NC 27609 (Use this address for express/overnight deliveries)

Eligibility Requirements

If you are a graduate from a medical or osteopathic school approved by the LCME, CACMS or COCA, you must have the following:

1.  Satisfactorily completed at least one year of graduate medical education approved by ACGME, CFPC, RCPSC or AOA.

2.  Passed a state board licensing examination; NBME; USMLE; FLEX, COMLEX, NBOME, MCCQE or their successors.

Each step of the USMLE or COMLEX must be passed within three 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.

3.  Have completed a minimum of 130 weeks of medical school.

4.  Submit proof of one of the following qualifications within the past 10 years:

• USMLE examination.
• MCCQE examination.
• National Osteopathic Board of Medical Examiners Examination or COMLEX.
• SPEX examination with a score of at least 75.
• COMVEX examination, the Osteopathic examination equivalent to SPEX.
• Certification or recertification of CAQ by a specialty board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), American Osteopathic Association (AOA), Certificant of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP), Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCP) and Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCS).
• Completion of graduate medical education approved by ACGME, AOA, CFPC or RCPSC.

If you have not met one of the seven qualifications above, you must submit CME documentation of 150 hours of practice relevant CME obtained in the past three (3) years.  At least 60 hours shall be in the educational provider-initiated category.  The remaining hours, if any, shall be in the physician-initiated category. 

If you are a graduate of a medical school other than those approved by LCME, COCA or CACMS, you must have the following:

1.  Current valid certification of the ECFMG or completed an approved Fifth Pathway Program.

2.  Satisfactorily completed three years of graduate medical education approved by ACGME, CFPC, RCPSC or AOA.

3.  Passed a state board licensing examination; NBME; USMLE; FLEX, COMLEX, NBOME, MCCQE or their successors.

Each step of the USMLE and COMLEX must be passed within three 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.

4.  Have completed a minimum of 130 weeks of medical school.

5.  Submit proof of one of the following qualifications within the past 10 years:

• USMLE examination.
• MCCQE examination.
• National Osteopathic Board of Medical Examiners Examination or COMLEX.
 
• SPEX examination with a score of at least 75.
 
• COMVEX examination, the Osteopathic examination equivalent to SPEX.
 
• Certification or recertification of CAQ by a specialty board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), American Osteopathic Association (AOA), Certificant of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP), Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada (FRCP) and Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCS).
• Completion of graduate medical education approved by ACGME, AOA, CFPC or RCPSC.

If you have not met one of the seven qualifications above, you must submit CME documentation of 150 hours of practice relevant CME obtained in the past three (3) years.  At least 60 hours shall be in the educational provider-initiated category.  The remaining hours, if any, shall be in the physician-initiated category. 

Reentry
If a physician has been away from clinical practice two years or longer, they may be required to develop a reentry plan as part of the license application.  You should review the information on the Board’s website regarding reentry (link to info)

YOU WILL NEED TO COMPLETE AND SUBMIT ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION AS REQUIRED IN THE ONLINE APPLICATION.

RENEWAL - North Carolina law requires licensed physicians to renew with the Board within 30 days of their birth date, every year, no matter when the license is issued. A renewal fee is required.