Board of Medicine Physician Licensure Requirements

Physician's License | Courtesy License (Locum Tenens) | Special License

Physician's License

• Completion of at least 2 years of pre-medical college coursework prior to acceptance into medical school.
• Graduation from a U.S. or Canadian medical school accredited by L.C.M.E.
  • or graduation from a non-U.S. or Canadian medical school that maintains the academic standard recognized by the United Nations World Health Organzation (UNWHO) and has their studies confirmed by the Educational Commission for Foregin Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
• Completion of 2 years of post-graduate training in a program accredited by A.C.G.M.E., the A.O.A. or, in the case of Canadian graduates, by R.C.P.S., or its equivalent. Equivalency shall include, at a minimum:
  1. Board certification; or
  2. Completion of 10 or more years of practice combined with 2 or more years of post graduate training taken outside the U.S. or Canada.
• Passage of one of the following examinations:
  • United States Medical Licensing Examination (U.S.M.L.E.), steps 1, 2, Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills, and 3
  • National Board of Medical Examiners (National Boards), parts I, II and III
  • Federation Licensing Examination (F.L.E.X.), components 1 and 2
  • National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOE), parts I, II and III
  • The Medical Council of Canada Examination (LMCC)
  • One of the acceptable combinations of these examinations as detailed in the Board's administrative rules, section Med 303.01.

Note: Applicants must have passed each section of the above noted exams within 3 attempts. Applicants who fail to pass after 3 attempts shall be required to repeat the entire examination sequence. The Board shall waive this examination requirement for any applicant who is board certified.

• Verification of all state licenses ever held by the applicant. (Applicants will be responsible for contacting those licensing boards to ensure that these are sent.)
• 4 letters of reference from practicing physicians. If the applicant holds hospital privileges, a letter from the hospital chief of staff or administrator at each hospital at which privileges are held, indicating that those privileges are in good standing, will be required. If the physician does not hold hospital privileges, 4 letters from physicians who do hold hospital privileges and who are familiar with the applicant's practice are required.
• A chronological listing of all professional activities pursued, including the dates, since the applicant graduated from medical school.
• A recent, full face, passport size photograph.
• Payment of the application fee, currently $300.00
• All applicants will be required to have background credentials verified by the Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS). This verification requires approximately 8-12 weeks. Applicants should plan accordingly. No application will be reviewed until the FCVS package is complete.
• The Board's application requires information regarding the applicant's history. Any adverse actions, or disciplinary actions taken against the applicant in the past will be investigated thoroughly before the Board takes action on the application. If the applicant answers yes to any of the questions on the application, he or she may expect the application process to take 8-12 weeks longer than the average time of 8 weeks.

Courtesy License (Locum Tenens)

• Applicants must maintain a full, unrestricted license in another state and must provide a verification of licensure from that state indicating that the applicant's license covers the dates in which he or she is practicing in New Hampshire. If the applicant is applying for full license, and wishes to obtain a courtesy license in the interim, he or she must provide a second license verification in order to be granted a courtesy license.
• Complete the short application and pay the fee, currently $150.00
• Provide a letter from the New Hampshire medical facility indicating the dates of service, not to exceed 100 consecutive days.

Special License (Resident Training)

• The Applicant must be currently enrolled in an A.C.G.M.E. accredited training program and must be practicing only under the auspices of that program, under the direct supervision of a NH licensed physician who is a medical officer of the training program.
• Applicants must complete a short application and pay the fee, currently $50.00
• The application must be certified by the trainee's program director and by the director of Graduate Medical Education or, the applicant must provide a letter from these individuals certifying the trainee's status as a member of the training program.
• The applicant must have passed USMLE, Steps 1, 2 (Clinical Knowledge) and 2 (Clinical Skills).
• If the applicant graduated from a medical school outside the U.S. or Canada, the applicant must be certified by E.C.F.M.G.
• If the applicant holds or ever held a license in another state, he or she must provide verification of each of those licenses.