WASHINGTON STATE Physician License  

How to Get a Washington Physician License in 6 “Simple” Steps!

Are you considering applying for a Washington Physician License?

Before you can practice medicine in Washington, you must undergo the lengthy application process to earn your licensure with the Washington State Medical Board. That means compiling documents that prove to the Board that you’re a qualified candidate meeting all of the prerequisites.

Following the process incorrectly will delay your license status.

You’re about to learn how to get your license with the Washington Medical Board. If you follow these proven steps, you’ll be licensed before you know it.

1

Determine your eligibility for a Washington Physicians License.

The first step to getting your Washington Physicians license will require numerous primary source verifications. Your licensing advocate will request and collect all that is needed for your Washington Medical License. This could include undergraduate transcripts, medical school transcripts and verifications, professional reference letters, letter of good standing from other licensing boards, examination transcripts, postgraduate training evaluations, hospital staff evaluations, employment verification, AMA profile, NPDB query, federation query, malpractice claims history report/documents and any other verification required for your Washington Medical License.

  • Graduation from an accredited allopathic medical school
  • American & Canadian Graduates – Applicant must have successfully completed at least two years of post-graduate training if graduated after July 1985 and one year if before July 1985.
  • International Graduates – 2 years of postgraduate training, in the same specialty
  • 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 Washington FTL for 1 year.
  • International Graduates – Specialty board certification by AMBS or BOS Board.
  • Demonstration of current clinical competency by –
  1. Being licensed in another jurisdiction and have actively practiced medicine in another jurisdiction for at least two of the immediately preceding four years, or
  2. Passing a board-approved clinical competency examination within the year preceding filing of the application, or
  3. Successful completion of board-approved postgraduate training program within two years preceding the filing of the application, or
  4. Any applicant graduating from medical school after October 11, 1993 must take and pass all steps of the United States Medical License Examination (USMLE) or the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC). or
  5. Any applicant graduating from medical school before October 11, 1993 would need to have passed the national or state examination required at the time of graduation.
2

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 application so you know what to expect. You can view the application requirements 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

Required Items to Apply

The State of Washington’s Medical Board requires the following items to apply for and receive approval for a Washington State medical license.

  • The Washington State Department of Health requires that only the applicant or licensee may complete an attestation for an application, or for continuing education. This is a legal attestation. Completion of the attestation by anyone other than the applicant may constitute a reportable felony offense. The Department of Health can take action against people for perjury or for making a false statement they know to be false.
  • In order to avoid delays, make your AMA and FSMB profile accessible to the Commission prior to application submission.
  • You will need to release your USMLE, NBME, FLEX, LMCC or state examintation scores to the Commission.
  • Payment of application fees. (See below)

Submit the Washington Physician Medical License Application and Pay the Fees

  • There is a $491 fee for medical doctors and $391 fee for osteopathic doctors, payable to the State of Washington State Department of Health, which is submitted with your application.
3

Credential Verification Requests

As part of the Washington Physician Medical License process, the Board will require a number of your credentials be verified. All of the verification’s will need to be sent from the credential holders directly to the Washington 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.

4

Criminal Background Check

All Washington Medical License Applicants are required to undergo a criminal background check.

Washington State law authorizes the Department of Health to obtain fingerprint-based background checks for licensing purposes. This check may be through the Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We may require this if you have lived in another state or if you have a criminal record in Washington State. This would be at your own expense.

5

Submit a Statement

Any Applicant must answer personal data questions. An appropriate explanation and required documentation must be sent with positive answers. I

      • Physical & Mental Health Status
      • Lack of impairment due to chemical dependency/substance abuse.
      • History of loss of license, certification or registration.
      • Any felony convictions.
      • Loss or limitations of privileges and/or disciplinary actions.
      • Professional liability claims history.

The following must be provided if you have a pending malpractice claim or malpractice settlement:

      • Provide a detailed summary of the events of the case. Include the date of occurrence, your specific involvement, and the patient’s clinical outcome.
      • Copies of the initial plaintiff complaint and your current status in the legal action (primary defendant, codefendant, other).
      • Date of settlement, judgment, or dismissal.
      • If the case was settled out of court, or with a judgment, settlement amount paid on your behalf, you must disclose the amount.
      • 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.

6

Address Deficiencies Quickly

About one month after you submit the application, you should receive either an email or letter from the processor of your Washington 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 Washington Physician Medical Licenses.

The Washington Medical Board has one of the most difficult State Medical License processes in the USA. Following these 6 steps can make your Washington Physician Medical License process run smoothy!

CONCLUSION

The Washington 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 Washington 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 are available for multiple states, training licenses, and the military.

Are you considering applying for a Washington Physician License or have you already applied? What is your experience? Do you have questions? Leave them below and we’ll help!

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