How to Verify a Physician's License

To verify a physician's license in the United States, you will have to check with the state medical board in the state where the physician is licensed.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Know that a license tells you that a physician is qualified to practice through his or her training and education. Physicians applying for a license need to show proof of their training and education and are required to take an examination to test their knowledge.
2. Understand that a background check on a physician's personal history is also done before a physician receives his or her license.
3. Be prepared. Before checking the license, write down the physician's full name and office address, and the city where he or she practices.
4. Contact your state's medical board to verify whether a physician is licensed in the state. Each state will have its own separate set of procedures for releasing information to consumers. The state will only have information about physicians within the state.
5. Get in touch with the Federation of State Medical Boards, a national nonprofit association that regulates physicians and other health care providers. Check out the federation's Web site (fsmb.org).

Tips & Warnings

• Most state medical boards will also be able to tell you the name of the school the physician attended, the year the physician graduated and any disciplinary charges or actions taken against the physician, as well as criminal convictions or malpractice judgments.
• Contact the American Board of Specialties to learn whether a physician is board-certified in a specialty.
• Understand that most medical boards will not be able to tell you about any complaints against a physician unless the complaints have been formally charged.