Did you know that there are over 1 million licensed physicians in the United States? But unfortunately, not every medical professional takes the appropriate steps to renew their license.
As you might guess, it’s essential to validate a healthcare license before you choose to hire a medical care professional. Knowing how to check if a medical license is valid can seem complicated.
Listed below are useful tips that can help keep you on the right track. Let’s explore everything you need to know.
Use the Correct Registries and Databases
There are plenty of registries and databases that you can use to check whether or not a medical license is valid. However, it’s important to make sure you’re using the correct ones.
After all, some of these registries may only have information on certain types of healthcare professionals. Others may not be updated as frequently as you need them to be. The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) is one example of a reliable database you can use.
They offer a service called the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). With this, you can check whether or not a medical license is valid in multiple states simultaneously.
You’ll need to create an account and pay a fee to use this service, however. Another option is the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), run by the Department of Health and Human Services.
It has information on everything from malpractice to disciplinary measures. It’s important to note that this database is only available to certain individuals and organizations, such as healthcare professionals who work in particular specializations.
Check the Requirements for Each State
Keep in mind that the requirements for a medical license will vary from state to state. As such, it’s important to check the requirements for the state (or states) in question.
You can find this information on each state’s Board of Medicine website. In some cases, you may need to obtain a special license to practice in certain states.
For example, if you want to practice telemedicine across state lines, you’ll need to obtain a telemedicine license in each state. So, be sure to do your research before assuming that a medical license will be valid in multiple states.
Get in Touch With the Board of Medicine
If you’re still not sure whether or not a medical license is valid, it’s highly recommended to get in touch with the Board of Medicine for the state (or states) in question. They should be able to tell you definitively whether or not the license is valid. You can find contact information for each state’s Board of Medicine on the FSMB website.
Pay Attention to Expiration Dates
It’s also important to pay attention to expiration dates. A medical license is only valid for a certain period of time. In most cases, you’ll need to renew your license every one to two years. The process for renewal will vary from state to state, so be sure to check the requirements for the state in question.
You may also need to complete continuing education (CE) credits to renew your license. The number of credits you’ll need will vary, but it’s typically between 10 and 50.
Ensure That You Monitor License Validity
It’s essential that you’re monitoring license validity. This means staying up-to-date on expiration dates and renewal requirements. It also means keeping an eye out for changes in state requirements.
The best way to do this is to set up reminders for yourself. For example, you can set a calendar reminder for every six months to check the requirements for each state in which you’re licensed. You can also sign up for email alerts to ensure you stay informed.
Take Advantage of a Third-Party Partnership
There are plenty of companies that offer medical license verification services. These companies will typically have a team of experts who stay up-to-date on the latest requirements. They can also handle the verification process for you, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Of course, there is usually a fee involved in these services. However, it may be worth it if you want to save yourself the hassle.
More often than not, the benefits highly outweigh the costs. MedPro Systems® has a page on its website that details how this process works. Be sure to check it out to learn more.
What Happens if I Don’t Validate a Medical License?
If you don’t validate a medical license, you could be putting yourself at risk. For one, you could be held liable if something goes wrong.
To clarify, if you treat a patient without a valid license and they suffer complications, they could file a lawsuit. You could also face disciplinary action from your state’s Board of Medicine. This could include anything from a warning to the loss of your license.
In some cases, you may even be subject to criminal charges. It could also damage the reputation of your facility. People will trust your facility less if word gets out that you don’t properly validate healthcare licenses.
So, it’s crucial to take the time to validate a medical license before you start treating patients. Doing so will help you avoid any legal or disciplinary problems down the road.
Validating a Healthcare License Is Easier Than It Seems
By following these tips, you can ensure that you’re always using a valid healthcare license. This, in turn, can help protect you from liability and disciplinary action.
Looking for other useful info that can help you out in the future? Our blog has plenty of articles like this one!
