New York Medical License

In order to be a physician and practice medicine in New York state, you need to get a medical license. In this article you will find the general requirements, fees, and how long will it take to obtain your medical license in New York. All these you need for the medical licensure process in New York.  The New York State Education Department – Office of Professions controls the licensure process in New Your state.

How Do I Get A New York Medical License?

To get your New York medical license you need to:

• be of good moral character;
• be at least 21 years of age; and
• meet education, examination, and experience requirements.

If you meet all these requirements, you need to fill the application and provide all the documents and also pay the fees.

Here is where you can find the application forms.

Education Requirements

To meet the education requirements for a medical license in New York State, you need to provide all Pre Professional Education and Professional Education certificates.

Pre Professional Education:

You need to complete a 60 semester hours program that has registration in New York State or a program that is approved by the New York State Education Department.

Professional Education:

1. Graduates of authorizing Medical programs

You need to complete a medical program that is approved by the New York State Education Department or has an authorization of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). Also, you need to have a degree of Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or another equivalent degree.

Note: This list does not include the foreign schools that get Department authorization only to contract for medical clinical experiences in New York State.

2. Graduates of non-authorized Medical programs

You need to complete a medical program for at least 4 academic years that is approved by the Board of civil authorities of the country where you take the program. And need to receive the degree of Doctor, Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or the equivalent degrees that are determined by the Department. You must complete the final year of medical education at the school that will provide you the degree.

Also, you need to take the English proficiency examination. You can just submit the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification.

Licensure By Endorsement Requirements:

To get licensure by endorsement in New York means to have a license by examination in another jurisdiction.
In addition, all the required documents including medical education, pre-professional education, proficiency examination, postgraduate hospital training, valid licenses to practice independently in another jurisdiction, and other required documents you must submit with your application.

• If you have a medical license in another Board and take an exam that is also approved by the New York State, you don’t need to apply for licensure by endorsement.
• If you are licensed in another state, have two years of professional experience, you can take the New York State licensing examination. If you have taken another examination that is acceptable for the New York State Education Department, you also can apply for licensure by endorsement. If you took a state medical examination before January 1, 1972, contact the Medicine Unit to determine whether you can apply for licensure by endorsement or not.
• If you have a medical license that is provided by a Canadian province, have two years of professional experience, meet all the educational requirements, and passed the licensure exam of The Medical Council of Canada. Then you can apply for licensure by endorsement.
• If you have a medical license provided by a foreign country, that is acceptable in the US, have five years of professional experience, have grades on a clinical competency exam or a diplomate certificate based on experience and examination requirements, and have experience of postgraduate training for three years, and all these are acceptable for the New York State Education Department. So, you are a potential candidate for the licensure by endorsement.
• If you fail any part of the New York State licensing examination twice. You cannot apply for the licensure by endorsement.

Note: For more information contact the Medicine Unit by mail [email protected] or by phone at (518) 474-3817 (ext. 260).

Licensure By Examination Requirements:

To get a medical license in New York State by examination you need to:

• Take three steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), or
• Take three parts of the examinations of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME)

Note: You can combine the steps and part of the NBME, FLEX, and USMLE.

If you passed these exams before January 1, 2000, and got a score that met the requirement of New York State. Then there is no need to pass the exams, you just need to ask the testing organization to send your scores directly to the Office of the Professions.

USMLE AND/OR FLEX SCORES

The important step is to ask The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) to send your examination scores directly to the Office of the Professions.

New York Medical License Fees And Process:

A New York State medical license is for life. If it is not revoked, annulled, or suspended by the Board of Regents.

In order to practice medicine in New York State, you need to have a valid medical license. To submit the application and for registration, you must pay $735. For a limited permit, you need to pay $105.

You need to answer all the questions properly and you also need to provide all the required documents.

Note: Be careful with this part, as if your application is half done. It can cause a delay in the process.

To submit the additional documents visit the website of the Office of the Professions.

How long does it take to get a medical license in New York?

Approximately, the whole medical licensure process in New York State will last from two up to three months.

How do I check the status of my NYS medical license?

You need to wait 6 weeks after the submission of the application and all the documents. Before contacting the Office of the Professions.  Otherwise, your application process can be delayed.

Note: You cannot get a license application status update by phone.

How can I verify an NYS medical license?

In order to verify an NYS medical license visit the online verification website.