State Medical License Requirements
State Board |
USMLE Attempt Limit |
Time Limit |
US/Canadian Postgraduate Training Requirements |
Foreign Postgraduate Training Requirements |
SPEX Exam Required? |
10 Year Rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No attempt limit on step I or II, Three (3) attempts on step III | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step; 10 years for MD/PhD | One Year | Three Years | YES; unless board certified or re-certified by a specialty or sub-specialty in the last 10 years | 
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| Alaska | Two (2) attempts per step | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step | Two years, one year if completed before 01/01/95 | Three years | NO |
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| Arizona | No attempt limit | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step, unless 1st licensed by a state that doesn’t have a 7 year limit | One year | Three years | NO |
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| Arizona DO | N/A | No limits on NBOME | One year | N/A | YES; unless lifetime certified, board certified or re-certified by a specialty or sub-specialty in the last 7 years |
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| Arkansas | Six (6) attempts per step | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step | One year | Three years, One year if enrolled at U of Arkansas | NO |
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| California | No attempt limit on steps I and II, Four (4) attempts on step III | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within ten (10) years of passing the first step | One year, including 4 mos. General Med. | Two years, including 4 mos. General Med. | NO |
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| California DO | N/A | No limits on NBOME | One year | N/A | NO |
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| Colorado | No attempt limit | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step; Ten (10) years if MD/PhD | One year | Three years | NO |
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| Connecticut | No attempt limit | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step | Two years | Two years | NO |
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| Delaware | No attempt limit | No time limit | One year | Three years | NO |
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| District of Columbia | No attempt limit per steps I and II. Additional year of PGT required if four (4)failed attempts on step III. | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step | One year | Three years | NO |
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| Florida | No attempt limit | No time limit | One year | Two years | NO |
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| Florida DO | N/A | No limits on NBOME | One year | N/A | NO |
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| Georgia | No attempt limit on steps I and II, Three (3) attempts on step III | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step; Nine (9) if MD/PhD | One year | Three years | NO |
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| Hawaii | No attempt limit | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step; Ten (10) if MD/PhD | One year | Two years | NO |
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| Hawaii DO | N/A | No limits on NBOME | One year | N/A | NO |
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| Idaho | Two (2) attempts per step | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step; Ten (10) years if MD/PhD | One year | Three years | NO |
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| Illinois | No more than five (5) failed attempts | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step | Two years, One year if completed before 1988 | Two years, One year if completed before 1988 | NO |
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| Indiana | Three (3) attempts per step | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (10) years of passing the first step | One year | Two years | NO |
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| Iowa | Six (6) attempts per steps I and II. Three (3) attempts on step III. | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step; 10 years for MD/PhD | One year | Two years | NO |
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| Kansas | No attempt limit on steps I and II, Three (3) attempts on step III | Must complete USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3 within ten (10) years of passing the first step | One year | Two years | NO |
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| Kentucky | Four (4) attempts per step | No time limit | Two years | Two years | NO |
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| Louisiana | No attempt limit on step I. Four (4) attempts per steps II and III. | Must complete USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3 within ten (10) years of passing the first step | One year | Three years | NO |
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| Maine | No attempt limit per steps I and II. Three (3) attempts on step III | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step | Two years; Three years if graduated after 7/2004 | Three years | NO |
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| Maine DO | N/At | No limits on NBOME | One year | N/A | NO |
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| Maryland | Three (3) attempts per step. | Must complete USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3 within ten (10) years of passing the first step | One year; Two if any USMLEstep failed 3 times | Two years | YES; unless lifetime certified, board certified, or re-certified by a specialty or sub-specialty in the last 10 years, or passed a licensing exam in the last 15 years |
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| Massachusetts | No attempt limit per steps I and II. Six (6) attempts on step III | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step | One year | Two years | NO |
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| Michigan | No attempt limit | No time limit per steps I and II; Must complete step IIIwithin five (5) years of first attempt on step III | Two years | Two years, three if completed before 1984 | NO |
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| Minnesota | Three (3) attempts per step; four (4) attempts step III if Board Certified | No time limit per steps I and II; Must complete step IIIwithin five (5) years of passing step II | One year | Two years | YES; unless board certified or re-certified by a specialty or sub-specialty in the last 10 years |
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| Mississippi | No attempt limit per steps I and II. Three (3) attempts on step III | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step | One year | Three years; One year if Board Certified | YES; unless board certified or re-certified by a specialty or sub-specialty in the last 10 years |
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| Missouri | Three (3) attempts per step | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step | One year | Three years | NO |
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| Montana | No attempt limit per steps I and II. Three (3) attempts on step III | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step | Two years | Three years | NO |
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| Nebraska | Four (4) attempts per step | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within ten (10) years of passing the first step | One year | Three years | NO |
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| Nevada | No attempt limit per steps I and II. Three (3) attempts on step III | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step; Ten (10) years if MD/PhD | Three years | Three years | YES; unless lifetime certified, board certified, or re-certified by a specialty or sub-specialty in the last 10 years |
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| Nevada DO | N/A | No limit on NBOME | Three years, one year graduated before 01/01/95 | N/A | YES; unless board certified or re-certified by a specialty or sub-specialty in the last 10 years |
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| New Hampshire | Three (3) attempts per step | No time limit | Two years | Two years | NO |
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| New Jersey | No attempt limit per steps I and II. Five (5) attempts on step III. | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step (Waiver can be requested) | Three years, one if graduated before 07/01/03 | Three years, one year if graduated before 07/01/85 | NO |
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| New Mexico | Six (6) attempts per step | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step; Ten (10) years if MD/PhD | Two years | Two years | NO |
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| New Mexico DO | N/A | No limits on NBOME | Two years | N/A | NO |
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| New York | No attempt limit | No time Limit | One year | Three years | Yes, if State Board Exam was taken before 1968 |
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| North Carolina | Three (3) attempts per step | No Time Limit | One year | Three years | YES; unless • Completed USMLE, COMLEX or MCCQE within the past 10 years. • Board Certification or recertification within the past 10 years by an ABMS, AOA, CCFP, FRCP, FRCSspeciality board. • Completed ACGME, CFPC, RCPSC or AOA approved training within the past 10 years. • Does not have 60 hours of Category 1 (practice relevant) Continuing Medical Education within the past 3 years. , PR award accepted |
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| North Dakota | Three (3) attempts per step | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step | One year | Three years | NO |
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| Ohio | Four (4) attempts per step | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within ten (10) years of passing the first step | One year | Two years | NO |
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| Oklahoma | Three (3) attempts per step | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within ten (10) years of passing the first step | One year | Two years | Two years |
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| Oklahoma DO | N/A | No limits on NBOME | One year | N/A | NO |
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| Oregon | No attempt limit per steps I and II. Four (4) attempts on step III | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step; Ten (10) years if MD/PhD | One year | One year, three years if med school is non-approved | YES; unless board certified or re-certified by a specialty or sub-specialty in the last 10 years, or if state board exam was taken before 1968 |
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| Pennsylvania | No attempt limit | No Limit | Two years, One year if completed before 7/87 | Three years, One year if completed before 7/87 | NO |
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| Pennsylvania DO | N/A | No limits on NBOME | One year | N/A | NO |
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| Puerto Rico | No attempt limit | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step | One year | One year | NO |
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| Rhode Island | Three (3) attempts per step | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step | Two years | Three years | NO |
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| South Carolina | Three (3) attempts per step. | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step; Ten (10) years if MD/PhD | One year | Three years | YES; unless board certified or re-certified by a specialty or sub-specialty in the last 10 years, will waive exam if 150 CME hours in last 3 years |
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| South Dakota | Three (3) attempts per step. | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step; Ten (10) years if MD/PhD | Completion of Residency Program | Completion of Residency Program, one year if done before 7/1987 | NO |
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| Tennessee | No attempt limit | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step | One year | Three years | NO |
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| Tennessee DO | N/A | No limits on NBOME | One year | N/A | NO |
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| Texas | Three (3) attempts per step. Or if you have been licensed in good standing in another state for at least 5 years, or held a Texas PIT permit on 9/1/05, then a 4th attempt allowed on one part only. Up to 6 attempts allowed on one part only, if you also: are specialty board certified by an ABMS or BOS board, and you complete, in Texas, an additional 2 years of residency training | 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 Texas FTL for 1 year, and have been recommended for licensure by the institution at which the FTL was used. Dual degree applicants must pass all steps within 2 years after completion of required postgraduate training. The timeframe is expanded to 10 years after completion of the required postgraduate training if you graduated from a combined MD/PhD or DO/PhD program and are specialty board certified by an ABMS or BOS board, or have practiced under a Texas FTL for 1 year, and have been recommended for licensure by the institution at which the FTL was used. No time frame requirement if you have been licensed in good standing in another state for 5 years, and you accept a limited license to practice solely and indefinitely in an MUA or HPSA | One year | Two years | NO |
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| Utah | Three (3) attempts per step | Must complete USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3 within seven (7) years of passing the first step; 10 years for MD/PhD | Two years | Two years | Only for DO’s unless board certified or re-certified by a specialty or sub-specialty in the last 10 years |
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| Vermont | No attempt limit per steps I and II. Three (3) attempts on step III | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step; Ten (10) years if MD/PhD | One year | Three years | NO |
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| Vermont DO | N/A | No limits on NBOME | One year | N/A | NO |
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| Virginia | No attempt limit | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within ten (10) years of passing the first step (exception) | One year | Two years | NO |
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| Virginia DO | N/A | No limits on NBOME | One year | N/A | NO |
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| Washington | No attempt limit per steps I and II. Three (3) attempts on step III | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within seven (7) years of passing the first step; ten (10) years for MD/PhD | Two years, One if graduated before 07/28/85 | Two years, One if graduated before 07/28/85 | NO |
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| Washington DO | N/A | No limits on NBOME | One year | N/A | NO |
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| West Virginia | Three (3) attempts per step | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within ten (10) years of passing the first step | One year | Three years; one year if board certified | NO |
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| West Virginia DO | N/A | No limits on NBOME | One year | N/A | NO |
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| Wisconsin | Three (3) attempts per step | Must complete USMLE Steps I, II, and III within ten (10) years of passing the first step; twelve (12) years if MD/PhD | One year | Two years | NO |
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| Wyoming | No attempt limit | No Time Limit | One year | One year | NO |
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Overview of State Medical Boards
The practice of medicine is not an inherent right of an individual, but a privilege granted by the people of a state acting through their elected representatives. The primary mission of state medical boards is to protect health care consumers through proper licensing and regulation of physicians in their state. Every state and U.S. territory has a medical board. It is important to remember that the medical board has no reason to make their application process convenient for physicians. This is what makes our service so valuable, we can complete the whole process for you.
The structure – and even names – of boards vary from state to state. Some boards are independent and maintain all licensing and disciplinary powers, while others are part of a larger umbrella agency, such as a department of health.
All state medical boards belong to the FSMB, a national non-profit organization whose primary mission is to improve the quality, safety and integrity of health care by supporting state medical boards in the protection of the public.
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State medical boards are typically made up of physicians and members of the public, who are, in most cases, appointed by the governor. Board members in almost all states are paid a nominal stipend. The majority of state boards employ an administrative staff that may include an executive officer, attorneys and investigators. Legal services are often provided by the state’s office of the attorney general.
Funding for most medical boards is determined by each state’s legislature. Some boards are funded directly from physician licensing and registration fees.
In response to the 10th Amendment, each state legislature created a Medical Practice Act that defines the proper practice of medicine and the responsibility of the medical board to regulate that practice.
Each medical board uses a range of activities to carry out its responsibility, the scope of which is determined by the board’s legal authority as defined by the state’s Medical Practice Act, and by its financial resources determined by the state’s legislature. The primary means by which a medical board promotes sound medical practice and keeps consumers safe is through licensing and regulating physicians.