How to Get a Virginia Physician Medical License in 6 “Simple” Steps!
Are you considering applying for a Virginia Physician License?
Around 40,000 physicians hold licences to work in Virginia making this state a popular one for physicians. Depending on your credentials and practice history, expect the application process for obtaining your Virginia Physician Medical License to take between 12-16 weeks. Minimize your frustration by following these six proven steps.
Determine your eligibility for a Virginia Physicians License.
The Virginia Physician Medical License is issued by the Virginia Medical Board and we will review the process for obtaining a Virginia Physician Medical License in this post. Understanding and ensuring you meet your boards’ eligibility requirements prior to completing the application will save you hours time, hundreds of dollars and the possibility that you will be required to make an appearance in front of the Board.
- Graduation from an accredited medical school
- American & Canadian Graduates – 1 year of postgraduate training
- International Graduates – 2 years of postgraduate training, in the same specialty
- Successfully passing USMLE, NBME, FLEX, or a combination of these exams. The Puerto Rico licensing exam will not satisfy this requirement.
- International Graduates – ECFMG certification
- 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, and passed the SPEX 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 paper application so you know what to expect. The paper 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
Question #6 – Criminal History
You must disclose any conviction, guilty plea, nolo contendere or no contest to any felony or misdemeanor, other than minor traffic offenses. Any DUI is required to be reported.
The criminal background check is comprehensive, so practice “Full Disclosure.” Failing to report an offense will likely require an appearance before the Board and possibly license denial. “My attorney told me not to report” is not a defense accepted by the Board.
If you answer yes to this question you must include –
- A written explanation of the event to include the precipitating factors, any pleas or verdicts, and how penalties or sentences were satisfied.
- The arrest report.
- All court documents.
Submit the Virginia Physician Medical License Application and Pay the Fees
- If you are a graduate applying for a Full Virginia Physician Medical License, the fees will total $302.
Credential Verification Requests
As part of the Virginia Physician Medical License process, the Board will require a number of your credentials be verified. All of the verifications will need to be sent from the credential holders directly to the Virginia 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.
Malpractice Actions
The Board will require reporting of malpractice actions if –
- Have any malpractice claims or other claims for money damages ever been filed against you?
For the question above, the Board will require you to submit the following–
- A written explanation of the details around each case(s)
- Copies of the initial complaint and, either the judgment or settlement order
- Any past or current claims that are pending
- Any claims that have been dismissed
- Any claims that have been settled
- Any claims that have resulted in a damages award against you or your medical practice
- 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 Virginia 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 Virginia Physician Medical Licenses.
Make sure you follow all 6 steps to make your Virginia Physician Medical License process run smoothly!
CONCLUSION
The Virginia Physician Medical License process is known to be lengthy and difficult. 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 Virginia 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 available for multiple states, training licenses, and military.
Are you considering applying for a Virginia Physician License or have you already applied? What is your experience? Do you have questions? Leave them below and we’ll help!
