Looking up a doctor or PA
Click blue arrow next to each question to expand and see FAQ answer.
There are multiple reasons a user may have difficulty locating medical professionals using NCMB’s licensee search. First, NCMB licenses physicians (including resident physicians), physician assistants, licensed perfusionists and anesthesiology assistants. While the NCMB jointly regulates nurse practitioners with the NC Board of Nursing and clinical pharmacist practitioners with the NC Board of Pharmacy, these professionals must be verified with their respective boards. If you are looking for any other type of medical professional, like dentists, chiropractors, or psychologists, they will not be in NCMB’s database. Verify the credentials of the provider to ensure NCMB is the right place to search for information.
Another thing to keep in mind when using NCMB’s “Look up a doctor or PA” tool is that exact, correct spellings of providers’ names are required. If you do not see the result you expect to see, verify the spelling of the last and first name and try again.
Finally, be aware that it is not necessary to enter information in all search fields. Often, the most successful searches use first and last name only.
The Board maintains a database of information about medical professionals licensed by the North Carolina Medical Board (NCMB). Every NCMB licensee has their own information page, which is accessible through the NCMB’s website. Visitors may access information, including:
- Number, issue date and current status of NC license
- Medical school/educational program attended
- Postgraduate training institution, specialty training area, and number of years completed, if applicable
- Current area of practice
- Current practice address
- Board certification(s) and most year last certified (if applicable)
NCMB also lists certain adverse information, if applicable, including:
- Any public NCMB regulatory actions
- Any public regulatory actions taken by medical boards or other regulatory bodies in other jurisdictions
- Suspensions or revocations of hospital privileges
- Certain malpractice payment information
- All felony convictions and certain misdemeanor convictions
Generally, reviewing a licensed physician or physician assistant’s NCMB information page makes an individual a more informed patient. Some questions you may wish to ask as you view a professional’s page include:
- Does the medical professional, in fact, have a North Carolina license and, if so, is the license active. Generally, it is not lawful to practice without an active license.
- When was their NC license issued?
- Where did they attend medical school or an educational program?
- Where did they complete postgraduate (residency) training, if applicable, and in what subject?
- What is their CURRENT area of practice and is the specialty related to the one they completed postgraduate training in, if applicable?
- Is the licensee Board Certified? What certifying body and when were they last certified?
- Does the licensee have a history of NCMB regulatory action? Why did the NCMB take the action(s)?
- Does the licensee have a history of any other adverse actions?
Approximately 3 percent of the licensee listed in NCMB’s database have one or more public NCMB regulatory actions. Approximately 6 percent of all licensees have some other type of adverse information (out of state action, hospital privilege action, malpractice or criminal conviction).
NCMB posts documents of all public actions executed by the NCMB on the licensed medical professional’s individual information page. They can be opened or downloaded and reviewed. Most actions include a description of the events and outline the specific ways the medical professional violated the Medical Practice Act, the state law that gives the NCMB its authority and governs the practice of medicine.
NCMB also obtains and posts, wherever possible, the public documents associated with actions taken by out-of-state medical boards. Per state law, NCMB may only release certain information about malpractice payments.
Send an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or contact the NCMB by telephone at 919-326-1100 and ask to speak to someone in the Communications Department. Staff cannot say why the NCMB decided to resolve a case in a certain way but will be able to explain the disciplinary process and help define terms so the effect of the NCMB action is understood.