How do I get a New York State medical license?

How to become a licensed physician in the state of New York?

You must first:

• be of excellent moral character;
• be at least 21 years old;
• meet the standards for education, examination, and experience.

If you match the following criteria, you must submit an application for licensing to the Office of the Professions, along with all needed forms and fees, to the address shown on each form.

Review Title 8, Article 131, Section 6524 of the New York Education Law, Part 60 of the Commissioner's Regulations, and the general licensing information for all professions for licensure requirements.

Learn more about New York medical license on the License Search website.

Licensure By Endorsement

The endorsement in New York State refers to the acceptance of a license obtained through examination in another jurisdiction as meeting the requirements of the New York State licensure exam.

In addition, as part of the Licensure by an Endorsement application process, full documentation of all other New York State licensure requirements, such as medical education, preprofessional education, proficiency examination, postgraduate hospital training, valid licensure to practice independently in another jurisdiction, and satisfactory practice following licensure, must be submitted.

You cannot apply for licensing by endorsement if you are licensed in another jurisdiction and have passed an examination combination acceptable to New York State.

You may be eligible for licensure by endorsement if you have a medical license issued by another state or political subdivision of the United States, have two years of satisfactory professional experience, and are eligible to sit for the New York State licensing examination. You must have passed another comparable licensing examination acceptable to the New York State Education Department. Whether you completed a state medical license test before January 1, 1972, contact the Medicine Unit at [email protected] or (518) 474-3817 ext. 260 to see if your exam qualifies for endorsement.

If you pass The Medical Council of Canada's licensing test and hold an independent medical license issued by a Canadian province, have two years of good professional experience, and fulfill educational criteria, you may be eligible for licensure by endorsement. For further information, contact the Medicine Unit at [email protected] or (518) 474-3817 ext. 260.

You may be eligible for licensure by endorsement if you have an acceptable foreign medical license, five years of satisfactory professional experience, acceptable grades on an acceptable clinical competency examination or a diplomate certificate based on experience and examination requirements, and three years of acceptable postgraduate training experience.

If you have attempted and failed any portion of the New York State licensure test sequence and have not passed that same section, you are not eligible for endorsement. If you have any questions, please contact the Medicine Unit at [email protected] or (518) 474-3817 ext. 260.

Licensure By Examination

The following exams are necessary to become a licensed physician in New York State:

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Steps 1, 2, and 3 OR

The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) Part I, Part II, and Part III examinations *Other eligible test combinations include the NBME, FLEX, and USMLE.

You can satisfy the examination requirement for licensure by requesting that the appropriate testing organization send your scores directly to the Office of the Professions if you completed these examinations (NBME, FLEX, and USMLE) prior to January 1, 2000, with scores acceptable to New York State.

Your certification must be verified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) based on passing scores given directly to the Office of the Professions. Complete the Request for Status Report of ECFMG Certification form or call (215) 386-5900 to request your ECFMG certification.

Fees and Procedures for Obtaining a Medical License in New York

Unless the Board of Regents revokes, annuls, or suspends a professional license in New York State, it is valid for "life."

To practice medicine in New York State, you must have a valid New York State medical license. Form 1 must be submitted together with the $735 licensure and initial registration cost to begin the licensing procedure. You should answer all application questions and all necessary information must be submitted. Also, include your application ID and date of birth.

You will need to meet the licensing requirements before obtaining a home improvement contractor license. You will have to register your business before getting a license. You also need workers’ compensation insurance and proof that you have an EPA certification for safe lead practices. If you don’t have that, you will need a signed affirmation. You will also need a $20,000 surety bond or a DCA Trust Fund Enrollment and a Contractual Compliance Agreement.