Doctors are eligible to reactivate their North Carolina medical licenses if, and only if, they have had a license in North Carolina and said license has been placed on inactive status within the past calendar year.  However, if a license is inactive as a result of a disciplinary action (e.g., revocation, suspension, surrender), then a reinstatement application is required. The reactivation of your license must be complete within one year of the inactive date to avoid having to submit additional information. Your license will not be retroactive, but your license number will remain the same. Upon completion of your reactivation application and receipt of your fee, you will be advised whether an interview is required.

Submit all materials to:
North Carolina Medical Board, PO Box 20007, Raleigh, NC 27619 (919.326.1100), or
North Carolina Medical Board, 1203 Front Street, Raleigh, NC 27609
Please do not submit photocopies or facsimilies unless specifically permitted.

1. Completed Reactivation Application. 

• CIRCLE the correct answer for all questions.
• Provide DETAILED explanations for affirmative answers.
• A claim form must be completed for EACH malpractice suit or settlement (form enclosed-photocopy as needed).  Attach a photocopy of plaintiffs complaints and settlement orders for each incident.
• Sign applicant’s oath and have signature NOTARIZED.  Make sure the original application form is submitted to the Board.
• Include name change documentation, if applicable

2) Download the Board Action Data Bank Inquiry form from the Federation of State Medical Board’s Web site. Click on Credentialing/Data Services.  Go to the Physician Data Center homepage to download the Board Action Data Bank Inquiry form.  This form will be mailed directly to the NCMB. 

3. Applicants must submit two completed fingerprint cards for the purpose of conducting a criminal background check.  When possible, have different officials complete each card. It is recommended you have your local law enforcement office complete the fingerprinting. An application is not considered complete until results of the background check have been received.  Expect a minimum of 8 weeks for the report to be received.  Since rejections are common, the SBI has suggested that applicants use lotion or witch hazel on their hands before being fingerprinted.  Fingerprint cards are submitted for processing twice a week. The SBI has suggested that using live scan when available may be a more reliable choice. When using live scan, prints must be printed on fingerprint cards and be submitted to the NC Medical Board.  They cannot be submitted electronically.  See detailed instructions for completing cards.  E-mail to request a set of fingerprint cards.  A set contains 2 fingerprint cards.

4.  You will need to document any CME you’ve obtained since your NC license went inactive on the CME log form.  If you have not obtained any CME since becoming inactive, you will need to send a letter stating this. 

5. When all applications materials have been received, your file will be forwarded to a staff member for quality assurance review.  If the quality assurance review is complete and no additional information is needed, your file will be forwarded to a board member for review to determine whether you will be required to appear for a personal interview.  Upon receipt of the board members decision, your license will be reinstated if a personal interview is not required.  INTERVIEWS SCHEDULED PRIOR TO APPLICANT BEING NOTIFIED BY NCMB STAFF THAT APPLICATION IS COMPLETE MAY BE CANCELED.

6. If a physician has been away from clinical practice 2 years or longer, they may be required to develop a reentry plan as part of the license application.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to be prepared to present a program of re-training or supervision that will establish proof of competency in their chosen area or medicine.  Applicants in this category will be required to appear for a personal interview.

REGISTRATION - NORTH CAROLINA LAW REQUIRES LICENSED PHYSICIANS TO REGISTER WITH THE BOARD WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THEIR BIRTH DATE, EVERY YEAR, NO MATTER WHEN THE LICENSE IS ISSUED.  A REGISTRATION FEE IS REQUIRED.