Vlad Dzhashi, MD
The FCVS medical license service is a great way to shorten your licensing timeframe and simplify this tedious and complicated process.
Today I’ll cover everything you need to know about FCVS in plain English so that by the end of this article you’ll decide if applying for the FCVS is worth it.
But, first, let me explain what FCVS means and how it works.
What does FCVS mean?
Federation credentials verification service is a service provided to physicians and PAs that creates a lifetime collection of core credentials and simplifies obtaining state medical licenses as state medical boards rely on the FCVS to take care of primary source verification of the important information (e.g. residency, medical school, board certification etc).
Put simply, the FCVS is a lifetime profile of credentials used to check a physician’s medical credentials easily and quickly for medical state licensure.
How does FCVS work?
1 - Go to the CSA Registration Portal
The way the FCVS works is it stores all important documents for state medical boards to quickly process medical state licenses whether a physician applies for a permanent or locum tenens license.
These documents include:
- Medical school diploma
- ECFMG certificate
- Fifth pathway certificate
- GME completion documents like residency and fellowship certificates
- Identity document with proof of names like a birth certificate or passport
- Licensure examination history
- Disciplinary history
- ABMS Specialty board certifications
In order to have a complete FCVS profile, you’ll need to go through the process of the FCVS verifying all these documents with primary sources.
Once verification is completed you can use your profile to apply for medical licenses and you’ll receive the FCVS number.
What is my FCVS number?
Your FCVS number is a unique identification number that is provided when you set up your account and start an application on the portal page.
How to find the FCVS ID number
You can find your FCVS number in the portal at the top right corner after your log in.
Does FCVS expire?
No, since FCVS permanently stores medical credentials, it never expires.
However, in certain situations you’ll have to update your profile, e.g. graduating from residency or fellowship, receiving Board certification etc.
FCVS credentialing: what does FCVS verify?
FCVS medical school verification
The process of the FCVS medical school verification starts with a physician providing a photocopy of the medical school diploma and certified translation if applicable.
Next, FCVS sends a verification request to the medical school to certify the diploma and to have a Verification of Medical Education form completed by the medical school dean.
After receiving confirmations, your medical school verification is complete.
FCVS examination history
FCVS examination history entails requesting the confirmation of the status of exams (pass/fail) and their scores with appropriate organizations, like United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME), Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC).
Is FCVS required?
It depends on what state licenses you’re applying for, whether you’re MD or DO and whether you’re a foreign medical graduate.
A number of states actually require physicians to use the FCVS:
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine (required only for Medical Doctors)
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New York (required only for international medical graduates)
- Nevada (required only for Osteopathic Doctors)
- North Carolina (required only for international medical graduates)
- Ohio
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Utah (required only for Osteopathic Doctors)
- U.S.Virgin Islands
- Wyoming
Is FCVS worth it?
FCVS is a must for international medical graduates, doctors graduated from closed residency programs, for all physicians applying for state licenses where it’s required (KY, LA, ME, NH, NV (DOs), OH, RI, SC, UT, USVI, WY) and if you plan on working locum tenens in multiple states.
Also, keep in mind that even if you don’t fall into any of the categories above, having an FCVS profile typically makes the licensing process faster than without.
FCVS application process: how to apply for FCVS
The FCVS application begins with creating an account on the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) website. After creating an account, follow this step-by-step on how to apply for FCVS.
1. Gather All Forms
The Affidavit & Release and identification certificate forms can be electronically submitted or mailed. In addition, these forms must be notarized.
The other forms can be uploaded directly into the application.
2. Obtain A 8.5” x 11” Copy of Your Diploma
The FCVS asks for a photocopy of your diploma with specific dimensions. Many diplomas are larger than the required dimensions, so ensure you have the correct size of your photocopied diploma.
3. Fill in the Application
Complete all the steps asked in the FCVS portfolio application
4. Pay and Submit Your Portfolio
- Affidavit & Release form
- Certification of Identification
- FCVS Authorization for Release form
- NBME Exam History Release form
FCVS States: What States Use FCVS?
All fifty states and some US terriotories accept FCVS for primary source verification, however some states require FCVS as a part of the licensing application.
The states that require FCVS are:
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Utah
- The Virgin Islands
- Wyoming
The states that accept FCVS are:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona (Medical)
- Arizona (Osteo)
- Arkansas
- California (Medical)
- California (Osteo)
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Florida (Medical)
- Florida (Osteo)
- Georgia
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maine (Osteo)
- Maryland
- Michigan (Medical)
- Michigan (Osteo)
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada (Medical)
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma (Medical)
- Oklahoma (Osteo)
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania (Medical)
- Pennsylvania (Osteo)
- Puerto Rico
- South Dakota
- Tennessee (Medical)
- Tennessee (Osteo)
- Texas
- Vermont (Medical)
- Vermont (Osteo)
- Virginia
- Washington (Medical)
- Washington (Osteo)
- West Virginia (Medical)
- West Virginia (Osteo)
- Wisconsin
There are important details you need to know about several state medical boards.
👉 FCVS California Medical License: Does California accept FCVS?
The FCVS can be used for California medical license, but this doesn’t replace its tedious application process.
After applicant’s FCVS profile is received, the board will review it and decide what documents they will accept.
👉 FCVS Michigan
The Michigan Medical Board accepts FCVS for all applicants but it requires IMG’s to have an existing license from another U.S. jurisdiction when using licensure by endorsement.
👉 FCVS Florida Medical License
The Florida medical board does accept FCVS, and the licensure process is much faster with an FCVS profile.
👉 FCVS North Carolina
The medical board of North Carolina requires a completed FCVS portfolio for International Medical Graduates as well as for the US and Canadian graduates with an established FCVS Profile.
How Much Does FCVS Cost?
For physicians the FCVS cost is $395 for physicians for an initial application and you can send your finalized profile to one medical board of your choice without paying anything extra.
That said, this amount doesn’t include fees to get examination transcripts (e.g. USMLE), ECFMG certification (for IMGs), notary fees for certain forms, postage etc.
When you need to send your profile to medical boards outside of the initial application process, you pay a minimal fee of $99 plus “applicable charges”.
For physician assistants, the cost of the initial application is $170 for physician assistants and each subsequent profile sent to the state board is $65. On top of that there may be additional fees.
FCVS Contact Information
👉 The FCVS contact information is as follows:
Phone number: 888-ASK-FCVS
Email address: [email protected].
The FCVS mailing address is:
Federation of State Medical Boards
Attn: FCVS
400 Fuller Wiser Road
Euless, TX 76039
FCVS Medical License: Key takeaways
The FCVS for medical licensing is a great way to cut your licensing timeframe and it’s required by many states as a part of the medical license application.
Although the initial FCVS application process is tedious and may take months to complete, establishing your profile will be especially helpful if you work locum tenens, practice telemedicine in multiple states or if you’re an international medical graduate.
Great article, thanks for the information. I’m going to get started on completing the FCVS. 👍🏻
You’re welcome, Joseph!
I completed my fscvs recently. I’m planning on starting telemed. Would I be able to write this off? As well as any other state liscence costs?
Hi, Aisha!
Yes, you can write off these expenses if you make 1099 income.
If you’re employed (i.e. W2), then your employer can probably reimburse but these expenses will not be tax deductible.