Massachusetts Medical Licenses for Physicians
After medical school, physicians need a Massachusetts (MA) medical license and malpractice insurance to participate in clinical training. MA offers two types of medical licenses:
1. MA Limited License
This license is required to begin clinical training and is the recommended medical license. It is available to graduates of U.S. medical schools with proof of graduation and a USMLE transcript. International medical graduates need additional documentation. The MA Limited License must be renewed annually and can be used for up to 7 years of clinical training.
2. MA Full License
After completing two years of ACGME-accredited training and passing USMLE Steps 1, 2-CK, and 3, physicians can apply for the MA Full License. Once approved, the MA Limited License is immediately deactivated and can no longer be used. The full license is approved for up to 1 provisional year and must be renewed by the Physician’s next birthday. After the first full license renewal, the physicians will be required to renew their Full License every 2 years by their birthday. Failure to renew results in an expired license and requires a reinstatement application.
The MA BORIM sends emailed notifications to renew the limited and full medical licenses directly to the physicians and will send periodic reminders until the license has been renewed. If the license is allowed to expire, clinical privileges must be immediately suspended until the license has been reinstated (renewed).
The MA Medical Board offers tutorial webinars on the online licensing application system, which we recommend reviewing to guide you through the process.
General Overview and FAQS
The FAQs: GME Licensing & Visa Processes document answers questions regarding obtaining and renewing Massachusetts medical licenses, applying for visas (separate page coming soon), and registering with necessary authorities, including: the MCSR, Federal DEA, and MassHealth. This document also provides key documentation requirements and useful links to guide applicants through the process.
The GME Licensing and Visa Process Overview document offers a comprehensive overview of the licensing and registration processes for physicians in Massachusetts, covering topics such as obtaining a Limited or Full Medical License, registering with authorities like the Massachusetts Controlled Substance Registration (MCSR), Federal DEA, and MassHealth, and providing specific documentation requirements for U.S. and international medical graduates. Although it does review some Visa information, the Visa application information (J-1, H-1B) will be addressed in further detail on a separate page (coming soon) For a more detailed explanation of these processes, we invite you to review the full document.
Licensure Reports:
Please find the most up to date licensure reports here: Licensure Reports
Important Websites:
FCVS (Federation Credentials Verification Service):
Licensing Processes and PD Templates:
Date Change for...
MassHealth Application Overview for PCs
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If you have any further questions on a trainee(s) specific situation, please reach out to Deborah Parnther our GME Licensing and Credentialing Program Manager.
Deborah Parnther, CPMSM, MM
GME Licensing & Credentialing Program Manager-TPL
Office: (617) 667-3210
Fax: (617) 667-2092
Email: dparnthe@bidmc.harvard.edu
More information is coming soon please stay tuned. For other related comments, questions, or concerns please reach out to the GME office directly at GME-OfficeStaffdl@caregroup.harvard.edu.