Information for Physicians

The Licensing Division's work is essential to ensuring that only qualified and competent physicians are licensed to practice medicine in Massachusetts. All physicians practicing medicine in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts must hold a valid medical license.

Applicants for licensure may be recent medical school graduates entering training programs in Massachusetts institutions, or physicians already licensed in another state who have accepted a position in the Commonwealth.

The Licensing Division is responsible for the processing of each application in accordance with the Board's licensing regulations. Individual license applications found not to be in compliance with the Board's regulations are analyzed by an attorney and, when necessary, are reviewed by Board members serving on the Licensing Committee.

Cognizant of the needs of hospitals that have trainees entering into programs and also of the needs of physicians who have accepted positions in Massachusetts, Board staff members work hard to process applications promptly.

To request an application for a new full license, prospective applicants may call 617-654-9810. PLEASE DO NOT E-MAIL REQUESTS.

photo of 2 doctors

Information for Physicians

Licensing Fees and General Information

License Fees
Initial Full License: $600.00
Temporary License : $250.00
Full License Renewal: $400.00
Lapsed License Renewal: $600.00
Limited License: $100.00

Full License Description and Requirements

A full medical license allows a physician to practice medicine independently in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To download an application formclick here. Application processing time for a full license is approximately eight to twelve weeks. However, allow an additional four to eight weeks for processing applications with malpractice or other legal issues.

Requirements for a full license for graduates of U.S. or Canadian medical schools are listed below:

Pre-medical Education: completion of a minimum of two or more academic years at a legally chartered college or university which must include courses in biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and physics, or their equivalent as determined by the Board.
Medical Education: completion of four academic years of instruction, of not less than thirty-two weeks in each academic year, in a legally chartered medical school, and receipt of the degree of doctor of medicine or its equivalent. A waiver for substantial equivalency of medical school education must be completed if any required or elective medical school clinical study was completed offsite of the medical school and without supervision by the medical school faculty.
Post-Graduate Medical Education: completion of one year of ACGME approved or accredited Canadian post-graduate medical training.

Requirements for a full license for graduates of international medical schools are listed below:

Pre-medical Education: completion of a minimum of two or more academic years, of not less than thirty-two weeks in each academic year, of a pre-medical education at a legally chartered college or university which must include courses in biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and physics, or their equivalent as determined by the Board.
Medical Education: completion of four academic years of instruction, of not less than thirty-two weeks in each academic year, at a legally chartered medical school which education is substantially equivalent to that of graduates of U.S. medical schools, and receipt of the degree of medical doctor or its equivalent.
ECFMG Certificate: possession of an ECFMG certificate which is valid on its face and valid as of the date of licensure.
Post-Graduate Medical Education: completion of at least two years of ACGME approved post-graduate medical training in the U.S. or at least two years of accredited Canadian post-graduate medical training.

Examination requirements for license applicants who have graduated from U.S., Canadian or international medical schools are listed below:

USMLE Steps 1, 2 and 3; or
FLEX Components 1 and 2; or
NBME Parts I, II and III; or
All parts of the MCCQE; or
All parts of the examination of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners; or
A state examination given prior to June 19, 1970.

Contents of an application form for full licensure are listed below:

A color photograph of the applicant which must be a likeness adequate for positive identification.
A written statement attesting to the applicant's moral character. The statement should be executed by someone other than a relative who knows the applicant well and for a substantial period of time. The Board especially seeks statements from physicians licensed to practice in Massachusetts.
A written statement explaining the applicant's involvement in civil litigation related to the practice of medicine and any criminal litigation.
A description of the applicant's clinical training and experience, particularly hospital internship and residency.
A written statement of the other jurisdictions in which the applicant is or has been licensed to practice medicine.
A written statement of any specialty board of which the applicant is a diplomate.
A written statement of any professional disciplinary action to which the applicant has been subjected. This statement must include action taken by government agencies, professional societies, health care providers, and third party carriers against the applicant.
A written statement of the results of any medical licensure examination the applicant has taken.
A written statement concerning the applicant's qualifications to possess or dispense controlled substances.
A written statement concerning the applicant's present physical or mental health, including an explanation of any dysfunction.
A statement that the applicant will not charge to or collect from a Medicare beneficiary more than the Medicare reasonable charge for the physician's services, in compliance with St. 1985, c. 475.

Limited License Description and Requirements

A limited license is issued to physicians enrolled in post-graduate training programs in health care facilities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. All such training must be done in ACGME accredited programs, or in a subspecialty clinical training or fellowship program in a training facility that has an approved program in the parent specialty. A physician who holds or who has ever held a full Massachusetts license is not eligible for a limited license.

To request an application for a limited license, please contact the health care facility where the post-graduate training will occur. A limited license application must be signed by the program director of the post-graduate training program prior to submission to the Board of Registration in Medicine.

Processing time for an initial limited license is approximately six to eight weeks after requisite materials from all sources have been received by the Board of Registration in Medicine. Some applications may require a longer processing time. An applicant may not engage in direct or indirect patient care until the Board has issued a limited license. After an initial limited license is issued by the Board, the relevant post-graduate training program will receive from the Board a certificate verifying the physician's limited license number. That license number will be retained for the duration of the physician's tenure in that particular training program.

A physician with a limited license is prohibited from "moonlighting" under any circumstances.

Requirements for a limited license for graduates of U.S. or Canadian medical schools are listed below:

Pre-medical Education: completion of two years of a pre-medical course of study in a college or university.
Medical Education: not less than three and one-half years of study in a legally chartered medical school having the power to grant degrees in medicine.

Requirements for a limited license for graduates of international medical schools are listed below:

Pre-Medical Education: completion of a minimum of two or more academic years, of not less than thirty-two weeks in each academic year, of a pre-medical education at a legally chartered college or university which must include courses in biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and physics, or their equivalent as determined by the Board.
Medical Education: (a) completion and attendance of four academic years of instruction of not less than thirty-two weeks in each academic year at a medical school which education is substantially equivalent to that of graduates of U.S. medical schools; and (b) completion of medical school clinical training which is substantially equivalent to the minimum standards required of U.S. medical school graduates, and done under the direct control of the medical school dean and under onsite supervision and evaluation by the faculty of the medical school in which the applicant was enrolled. Limited license applicants who cannot meet (b) must submit a request for a waiver of this requirement.
A notarized copy of the medical school diploma and a notarized copy of the English translation, if applicable.
Medical school transcripts with evaluations received directly from the medical school.
A notarized copy of a valid as of the date of licensure ECFMG certificate.
An ECFMG status report form received directly from ECFMG verifying completion of USMLE Steps 1 and 2, or NBME Parts I and II, or FLEX Components 1 and 2.

Temporary License Description
There are several temporary license categories which may be granted by the Board to a physician, pursuant to M.G.L. c. 112, sec. 9B:

Category 1: Temporary Faculty Appointment
A visiting physician holding a license in another state or territory who has a temporary faculty appointment (instructor, associate professor, assistant professor or higher) certified by the dean of a medical school in the Commonwealth for purposes of medical education in an accredited hospital associated with a medical school. A temporary faculty appointment license may be renewed for a maximum of three years. A request for renewal of temporary licensure must be submitted at least sixty days prior to the expiration date.

Category 2: Temporary License for Physician Coverage
A temporary license may be granted to a physician who is licensed to practice medicine in another state, or a physician who is eligible for a Massachusetts medical license and is a diplomate of a specialty board approved by the AMA or AOA. Such temporary license enables him/her to act as a substitute physician for a fully licensed Massachusetts physician who is sick, on vacation or maternity leave. Category 2 is limited to three months.

Category 3: Enrollment in Medical Education Course
Category 3 enables a physician with a current full medical license in another state, territory, the District of Columbia or another country to attend a course of continuing medical education in Massachusetts. Category 3 temporary licensure will terminate automatically at the completion of the CME course and, in any event, at the end of three months.

Category 4: Visiting Short-term Faculty
A temporary short-term temporary license may be granted to a physician who wishes to serve for not more than thirty days as visiting faculty in an accredited hospital associated with a medical school in Massachusetts.

Physicians

Newly Approved Licenses

Newly approved licenses are available in two formats: Most Recently Approved, or All Approved in the Past Year.
For past years, contact us.

Most Recently Approved

All Approved in the Past Year

photo doctor reading a chart and smiling

Information for Physicians

Summary of Prescription Filling Laws and Regulations

Examples

Schedule CII: Morphine Percodan
Schedule CIII: Tylenol/Codeine Fiorinal
Schedule CIV: Valium Phenobarbital
Schedule CV: Cough Syrups/Codeine, Lomotil
Schedule CVI: All other Rx medications

Time Valid for Rx Filling

Schedule CII: 30 days after date of issue
Schedule CIII: 180 days from date of issue
Schedule CIV: 180 days from date of issue
Schedule CV: None
Schedule CVI: None

Max Days Supply Per Fill

Schedule CII: 30 days¹
Schedule CIII: 30 days¹
Schedule CIV: 180 days
Schedule CV: None
Schedule CVI: None

Max Refills Allowed

Schedule CII: no refills allowed
Schedule CIII: 5 refills
Schedule CIV: 5 refills
Schedule CV: None
Schedule CVI: None

Oral Rx Allowed

Schedule CII: Emergency only
Schedule CIII: Yes
Schedule CIV: Yes
Schedule CV: Yes
Schedule CVI: Yes

Faxing

Schedule CII: Yes²
Schedule CIII: Yes³
Schedule CIV: Yes³
Schedule CV: Yes³
Schedule CVI: Yes³

Compiled by: Douglas J. Pisano, Ph.D., R.Ph., Dean, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Worcester, MA

Methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine may be dispensed in 60-day supply for narcolepsy or minimal brain dysfunction. Implantable infusion pumps consisting of C-II ro C-III may be filed for a maximum of 90-days
C-II prescriptions may be faxed to pharmacies for ambulatory patients based on patient convenience only. A hard-copy prescription must accompany the patient before the medication can be dispensed. Patients in institution, long-term care cacilityes, hospice or those on injectable medication may have prescriptions faxed to pharmacies as well, HOWEVER, hard-copy fullow-up is not required.
Prescriptions for C-III, IV, V and VI do not require a hard-copy follow-up when faxed to a pharmacy.

Information for Physicians

Direct Contacts for Physicians

Welcome to our new rapid response system, designed to get your questions answered quickly and hassle free.

Connect via email to the licensing specialist you need for the information you require without wasting your, or your patients' valuable time.

Each link connects you directly to one of our licensing specialists. If your email program doesn't respond to the buttons, you can use the associated email address next to the button to write a manual address.

New Full License:
To assist you with fast accurate information on the status of your application for a new full license in Massachusetts, please click on the appropriate email link below, or address your message to the email address listed:

If your last name begins with:
A - C:- License Analyst 1
D - I:- License Analyst 2
J - M:- License Analyst 3
N - Q:- License Analyst 4
R - T:- License Analyst 5
U - Z:- License Analyst 6

Limited License:
Massachusetts teaching hospitals can check the status of a limited license application or ask a question about limited licensure by emailing:

Limited Licensing Coordinator: LTDLIC.DPH-MED@state.ma.us

License Renewal:
For questions about your full license renewal, email:

Renewals Coordinator: Renewal.DPH-MED@state.ma.us

Other questions :
For particularly difficult questions or problems, email:

Renewals Coordinator: OtherIssues.DPH-MED@state.ma.us

Information for Physicians

Physicians Address Change

Complete this form and mail or fax to:
Address Change Form

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Board of Registration in Medicine
560 Harrison Avenue, Suite G-4
Boston, MA 02118
Attn: Address Changes

FAX: 617-426-9358

Information for Physicians

Full License Renewal Forms

2005 was a renewal year for physician licenses and approximately 22,000 full licenses renewed their licenses by December 31, 2005. 2006 is an "off" year, and only approximately 8,000 physicians will renew. As requested by our licensees, the Board of Registration in Medicine has implemented several format changes on the renewal application. The most significant change is the layout of the application, which is now easier to read and provides more detailed instructions. Physicians are advised to start the license renewal process immediately to ensure the timely renewal of their medical license and to be attentive to following requirements on the renewal application.

Please read the instructions carefully before completing your application, and remember: your license expires at 11:59 p.m. on your birthday. If the Board has not renewed your license by your birthday in your renewal year, YOU MAY NOT PRACTICE MEDICINE IN MASSACHUSETTS IN ANY FASHION OR CAPACITY.

Forms:
Renewal Instructions 2007-2008
Form-R 2007-2008
Office Based Surgery Form
Board Certification Instructions

Information for Physicians

Assorted Downloadable Forms

Applicants for licensure in Massachusetts may download any or all of the following forms for use in preparing their application.

All forms are Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files. You must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader Plugin for your browser in order to download and use these forms. Acrobat Reader is a free download from Adobe. It can be obtained by clicking on this link. First download the reader, then run the installation program to add the plugin to your browser.

*NEW* NPI Information
*NEW* NPI FAQ
*NEW* On-Line NPI Application
*NEW* NPI Reporting Form
*NEW* Taxonomy Codes
*NEW* Renewal Instructions 2007-2008
*NEW* Form R 2007-2008
Office Based Surgery Form
Waiver for Release of Information
CME Booklet
CME Waiver Form
Application for Inactive Status
Application for Active Status
Application to Retire
Replace a Lost Wallet Card
Replace a Wallet Certificate
Name Change Form
Address Change Form
Affiliation Agreement Form
Fifth Pathway Form

Information for Physicians

Application Kits for New Full Licenses (Not Renewals)

Applicants for full licensure in Massachusetts may download any or all of the following forms for use in preparing their application.

This is only for initial full licensure...not for renewal of a full license.

Please read the instructions carefully before completing your application.

Kits:
Full License Application Kit
Letter to Applicant
Requirements for Full Licensure
Application Instruction Booklet
Application Checklist
Full License Application Form
Medicare Tax Form
Moral & Professional Character
Authorization for Release
Full License Supplement
Medical Education Verification
ECFMG Form 1
ECFMG Form 2
Postgraduate Training Verification
Evaluation Form
State License Verification
Malpractice History Form
AMA Profile Request Form
NPDB Profile Instructions
Name Change Form

Information for Physicians

Application Kits for Limited Licensees

Do not send these forms to the Board of Registration in Medicine. All completed forms must be sent to your training program.
Do not complete and mail these forms until you have been accepted into an accredited training program.
Each kit has a set of instructions. Please read the instructions carefully before filling out the forms.

Initial Limited License Application Kits
Applicants for limited licensure in Massachusetts may download any or all of the following forms for use in preparing their application.

Initial Limited License Application Kit
Application Instructions
Application Checklist
Initial Limited Application
Initial Limited Supplement
Medical Education Verification
ECFMG Form 1
ECFMG Form 2
ECFMG Form 900
State License Verification
Initial Limited Evaluation Form
Authorization for Release
Name Change Form

Renewal Application Kits
Applicants for limited license renewals in Massachusetts may download any or all of the following forms for use in preparing their application.

Limited Renewal Kit
Limited Renewal Instructions
Limited Renewal Checklist
Limited Renewal Application
Limited Supplement
Limited Evaluation Form
State License Verification
Authorization for Release

Change of Program Kits
Applicants for limited license program changes in Massachusetts may download any or all of the following forms for use in preparing their application.

Program Change Kit
Program Change Instructions
Program Change Checklist
Program Change Application
Limited Supplement
Limited Evaluation Form
State License Verification
Authorization for Release

Information for Physicians

Application Kits for Lapsed Licenses

A licensee who has ever held a full license in Massachusetts that was voluntarily not renewed or was revoked by operation of law must complete a lapsed application to revive their license.

Please read the instructions carefully before completing your application.

Remember, if your license lapses, YOU MAY NOT PRACTICE MEDICINE IN MASSACHUSETTS IN ANY FASHION OR CAPACITY UNTIL YOUR LICENSE IS REVIVED BY THE BOARD.

Kits:
Lapsed Application Kit
Lapsed License Letter
Lapsed License Instructions
Lapsed License Checklist
Lapsed License Application
Lapsed License Supplement
Medicare Tax Form
Authorization for Release
Malpractice History Form
AMA Profile Request Form
NPDB Profile Instructions

Information for Physicians

Application Kits for Temporary Licenses

There are four categories of temporary licensure:

1. A temporary faculty license is for a physician with a faculty appointment at a medical school in Massachusetts which is affiliated with a hospital, primarily for teaching.

2. A temporary license for physician coverage (locum tenens) which allows a physician to substitute for another physician for a period of up to three months.

3. A temporary CME license is for a physician to attend a course of medical education in Massachusetts.

4. A short term faculty license is for a physician who has a short term faculty appointment at a medical school in Massachusetts which is affiliated with a hospital for a period of 30 days.

A physician applying for a temporary faculty license or a temporary CME license must hold a full license in another state or territory or in the District of Columbia or in another country. A physician applying for a temporary license for physician coverage must hold a full license in another state or territory. A temporary license is not an interim license while a full license is in process or for participating in residency or fellowship training. For a description of license requirements and fees, see Licensing Fees and General Information.

Kits:
Temporary License Application Kit
Application Instructions
Application Checklist
Initial Temporary Application
Temporary Supplement
Medicare Tax Form
Authorization for Release
Medical Education Verification
Temporary Evaluation
State License Verification
Malpractice History
Temporary AMA Profile
Temporary National Practitioners Databank (NPDB)