Get an Arizona Physician License in 6 “Simple” Steps!
Are you considering applying for an Arizona Physician License?
Before you can practice medicine in Arizona, you must undergo the lengthy application process to earn your licensure with the Arizona State Medical Board. That means compiling documents that prove to the Board that you’re a qualified candidate meeting all of the prerequisites.
Following the process incorrectly will delay your license status.
You’re about to learn how to get your license with the Arizona Medical Board. If you follow these proven steps, you’ll be licensed before you know it.
Determine your eligibility for an Arizona Physicians License.
The first step to getting your Arizona Physicians license will require numerous primary source verifications. Your licensing advocate will request and collect all that is needed for your Arizona Medical License. This could include undergraduate transcripts, medical school transcripts and verifications, professional reference letters, letter of good standing from other licensing boards, examination transcripts, postgraduate training evaluations, hospital staff evaluations, employment verification, AMA profile, NPDB query, federation query, malpractice claims history report/documents and any other verification required for your Arizona Medical License.
- Graduation from an accredited allopathic medical school
- American & Canadian Graduates – 1 year of postgraduate training
- International Graduates – 2 years of postgraduate training, in the same specialty
- Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step; 10 years if you are specialty board certified by an ABMS or BOS board, or have practiced under a Arizona FTL for 1 year.
- International Graduates – Specialty board certification by AMBS or BOS Board.
- Demonstration of current clinical competency by –
- Being licensed in another jurisdiction and have actively practiced medicine in another jurisdiction for at least two of the immediately preceding four years, or
- Passing a board-approved clinical competency examination within the year preceding filing of the application, or
- Successful completion of board approved postgraduate training program within two years preceding filing of the application, or
- Passing all parts of a national examination (NBME, FLEX, or USMLE) or currently licensed in the U.S. or Canada, and has actively practiced pursuant to such licensure for at least 10 years, has passed a state board or LMCC examination or
- Be licensed on the basis of a state board exam prior to 1974, and is currently licensed in at least three other jurisdictions in the U.S. or Canada, and practiced pursuant to such licensure for at least 20 years.
Completing the Application
The Board provides online and paper versions of the application. To avoid delays, it is recommended that you complete the online application. Allow one to two hours to complete the application. You should spend a few minutes reviewing the application so you know what to expect. A sample application can be reviewed here.
Most questions are fairly routine. However, there are a number of questions dealing with adverse or non-routine situations.
If you answer “Yes” to any questions related to any adverse actions, the Board will require a written explanation and documentation. The type of documentation the Board will require varies, but at the least, they will require –
- Documents detailing the action and recourse taken by the adjudicating authority
- Orders, resolutions, and satisfactions related to the action
- The Board could request any transcripts of depositions, interviews or meeting minutes
Proof of Legal Status
The State of Arizona’s Medical Board requires extensive proof that you’re a legal resident of this country before approving any medical license.
- A photocopy of your birth certificate or passport (must be notarized)
- Proof of your type of citizenship status (if foreign)
- A photocopy of your driver’s license
Foreign applicants must complete the third section of the Arizona Statement of Citizenship or Alien Status for State Public Benefits form. There, you’ll verify the exact status of your citizenship in America.
Submit the Arizona Physician Medical License Application and Pay the Fees
- The fee for physician licensure in Arizona is $500.00. The entire fee must be submitted before your application can be assigned and processed. This fee does not include the registration fee, which is due and payable upon issuance of your permanent license.
- Once your license application is approved, you will be required to pay a prorated licensure issuance fee up to $500. This fee is prorated based on your birth year and month
Credential Verification Requests
As part of the Arizona Physician Medical License process, the Board will require a number of your credentials be verified. All of the verification’s will need to be sent from the credential holders directly to the Arizona Medical Board.
Verifications required
- Medical School Verification Form*
- Postgraduate Training Verification Form*
- Verification of ALL medical licenses ever held
- Exam Scores*
- ECFMG*, if applicable
- 5th pathway verification letter, if applicable
*If you are having your FCVS packet sent to the Board, you will not need to request these
You may send copies of the following directly to the Board –
- NPDB
- DD-214 or NGB-22, if applicable
A couple of days after you request your medical school and training verifications, you should call and confirm receipt of your request. Make sure to ask about turn around time for completion and then follow up again to confirm the verifications were completed and forwarded to the Board.
Criminal Background Check
All Arizona Medical License Applicants are required to undergo a criminal background check according to A.R.S. § 32-1422(12).
- A fingerprint packet will be sent to the applicant’s mailing address provided on the application. The fingerprint card is specific and pre-printed for the Board; therefore, the applicant must use the fingerprint card provided by the Board. Fingerprinting can be done at a local police department, sheriff’s office, or an entity that provides fingerprinting services.
- Please contact the entity that provides the fingerprint service and confirm availability and payment requirements. The applicant is required to return the fingerprint card along with a check, money order or credit card for $50.00 made out to “Arizona Medical Board” together in the return envelope.
- The fingerprint technician is required to fill out and date the identity verification form, place it with the fingerprint card and check or money order, seal and sign the envelope flap before returning the fingerprint card to the applicant.
- If the applicant forgets to place the check or money order with the fingerprint card, do not reopen the sealed envelope. The applicant can include the check or money order in a separate envelope attached to the return fingerprint card envelope.
- Failure to return the sealed envelope with the fingerprint card, identity verification form, check or money order and the fingerprint technician’s signature across the envelope flap will delay the processing of your application. Do not send the fingerprint card prior to the submission of your application.
Malpractice Actions
The following must be provided if you have a pending malpractice claim or malpractice settlement:
- A written explanation of the details around each case, including your involvement, the complaint, and the resolution.
- Copies of the initial plaintiff complaint and, either the judgment or agreed-upon settlement order
- Any additional documentation you would like to submit
Numerous malpractice payments might require an appearance before the Board. Generally, malpractice actions are of little consequence IF FULLY DISCLOSED AND DOCUMENTED UPFRONT.
Address Deficiencies Quickly
About one month after you submit the application, you should receive either an email or letter from the processor of your Arizona Physician Medical License application. This letter will detail deficiencies that need to be satisfied before your license is issued. This letter will also contain information you will need to check the status of deficiencies through the Board’s online portal.
Many times verification’s are completed incorrectly or are not sent to the Board, making it likely that you will need to follow up with the credential holders again. Consistent follow up with the credential holders, and with the Board, is the single most important step for the issuance of you Arizona Physician Medical Licenses.
The Arizona Medical Board has one of the most difficult State Medical License processes in the USA. Following these 6 steps can make your Arizona Physician Medical License process run smoothy!
CONCLUSION
The Arizona Physician Licensing process can be complex and confusing if you don’t know what you are doing. Expect to spend numerous hours preparing the application, making the verification requests, following up with your credential holders, and addressing deficiencies on your notices from the Arizona Physician Medical Board, but…
What if someone offered to…
- Determine your license eligibility
- Make all credential verification requests
- Follow up with credential holders
- Handle additional Medical Board requests
- Make your license process incredibly simple!
You should probably let them!
Only $597 per State
Discounts are available for multiple states, training licenses, and the military.
Are you considering applying for a Arizona Physician License or have you already applied? What is your experience? Do you have questions? Leave them below and we’ll help!
