DC Medical License Requirements

• Medical School Verification & Official Transcripts
• Internship, Residency, and Fellowship Verification
• Five-Year Employment & Clinical Privileges History (if applicable)
• National Examination Scores (USMLE, FLEX, or NBME)
• ECFMG Certification (required for International Medical Graduates)
• Criminal Background Check
• Three Physician References

DC Training Requirements

• USMLE Step 3, maximum 3 attempts; failure requires 1 additional year of postgraduate training.
• USMLE Completion, must finish all steps within 7 years.
• COMLEX, no attempt limit or time restriction.
• Minimum 1 year for U.S./Canadian graduates, 3 years for IMGs.
• DC accepts applications through FCVS for streamlined verification.

DC Application Process

• Submit your application, fees, and supporting documentation within 120 days of starting the application.
• Missing documentation notifications are sent at 30, 60, and 90 days.
• Once all documents are received, the application moves to review by the Health Licensing Specialist (HLS).
• The HLS performs a detailed evaluation of your credentials, education, training, and supporting documents.
• Additional information may be requested to complete the analysis.
• After review, the application is forwarded to the Board of Medicine for final consideration.
• If approved, your license certificate is issued within one week.
• If issues are identified, the Board may request additional documentation or an in-person appearance.
• In cases where statutory, regulatory, or
• practice concerns exist, the Board may deny the license or request withdrawal of the application.

District of Columbia Expedited Medical License

Obtaining a District of Columbia medical license can be time-consuming, especially for physicians practicing in the neighboring jurisdictions of Maryland and Virginia, where many providers require multiple licenses. To address this, the DC Board of Medicine offers an expedited licensure pathway for physicians educated in the U.S. or Canada, allowing qualified candidates to accelerate the approval process.

Telehealth Licensing Considerations

Licensing requirements apply regardless of whether care is provided in-person or via telehealth. Healthcare practice is considered to occur where the patient is located, so any practitioner offering telemedicine services to patients in DC must hold a valid DC medical license. Providers serving patients outside the District should verify licensing requirements in the patient’s jurisdiction before practicing.

Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC)

DC participates in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), which allows eligible MD and DO physicians to apply for expedited licensure across multiple member states through a single application, streamlining the process for multi-state practice.

How to Obtain a District of Columbia Medical License

The District of Columbia Department of Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) primarily manages medical licensure through an online application system. All healthcare practitioners seeking a new license, renewal, reinstatement, or reactivation must complete the application online.

Steps to Apply

• Select License Type and choose the specific medical license you are applying for.
• Indicate the legal basis for your application.
• Submit your name exactly as it should appear on the license. Your Social Security Number is required for processing but is not public.
• Mailing Address
• Educational History
• Provide details for the last five years of employment and all internship, residency, or fellowship training. Include letters on official letterhead from employers and training programs, noting start and end dates.
• List all jurisdictions where you have ever
• held a medical license.
• Specialty Practice. If applicable, indicate your specialty using the relevant code.
• If you answer “Yes” to any screening or disclosure questions, provide a detailed explanation on a separate sheet.

Applications missing this information may be returned.

Processing Time for District of Columbia Med License

The processing timeline for a District of Columbia medical license generally ranges from 12 to 16 weeks. However, the total duration may vary depending on the complexity of your application and the completeness of submitted documentation.

After completing the initial processing phase, applicants typically receive a status update or decision within 2 to 4 weeks. Delays may occur if additional documentation, clarification, or verification is required.

To help avoid extended processing times, ensure that all required documents, verifications, and background checks are submitted accurately and promptly.

DC Med License Cost

The District of Columbia medical license application requires payment of specific fees established by the District of Columbia Board of Medicine. Below is a clear breakdown of the standard costs associated with licensure.

Application & Licensing Fees

Standard Application Processing Fee: $805

Initial License Issuance Fee (after exam approval): $805

Examination Fees

Initial Licensing Examination: $288

Exam Retake Fee: $85

Applicants who must complete an examination should plan for both the exam fee and the license issuance fee upon approval.

Eminence Pathway Fees

For physicians applying under special recognition or “eminence” categories:

Tier 1: $805 (standard rate)

Tier 2: $2,000

These tiers typically apply to candidates with distinguished professional credentials.

Important Fee Policy

All application and processing fees are non-refundable after 120 business days from the date of submission.

District of Columbia Medical License Renewal Guide

Physicians and other healthcare professionals licensed in Washington, DC must renew their credentials every two years through the District of Columbia Board of Medicine.

Renewal Cycle & Expiration

Medical licenses are renewed biennially (every two years).

Licenses issued on or after June 16, 2024, expire on the last day of the licensee’s birth month.

For current license holders, this updated expiration structure began applying in

September 2024.

Renewal reminders are typically sent approximately 90 days before expiration.

Timely submission of the renewal application and payment of required fees ensures uninterrupted licensure.

Background Check Requirement

As part of the DC license renewal process, applicants must complete:

A fingerprint-based Criminal Background Check (CBC), or

A name-based CBC that includes

• Full legal name
• Gender
• Social Security number
• Date of birth
• Mailing address

Failure to meet background check requirements may delay renewal approval.

Continuing Education (CME/CE) Requirements

Continuing education is mandatory for renewal.

Physicians (MD/DO)

50 hours of CME every two years

Must include:

2 hours in LGBTQ cultural competency

5 hours in a recognized public health priority area

At least 1 course in pharmacology

Physician Assistants (PAs)

100 hours of CE every two years

Must include:

2 hours in LGBTQ cultural competency

10 hours in a public health priority area

Active NCCPA certification may be accepted in place of the 100-hour requirement.

Nurses (RNs, LPNs, APRNs)

Registered Nurses (RNs): 24 hours of CE

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs): 18 hours of CE

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs):

Standard CE requirement

Plus 15 hours in pharmacology

DC Med License Lookup

Verifying a District of Columbia medical license can be completed through online or paper-based methods, depending on your needs.

For immediate confirmation of a license status, applicants should use the official online lookup system managed by the Health Regulation and Licensing Administration.

The database is updated daily.

Information is pulled directly from the licensing authority’s records.

It serves as the primary source verification for most credentialing purposes.

This option is recommended for employers, hospitals, and credentialing agencies requiring rapid confirmation.

Paper License Verification

If a formal written verification is required:

Complete the official Verification of Licensure form.

Submit the form with a $34 processing fee to the DC Department of Health.

Processing times may extend up to six weeks, depending on volume.

Paper verification is typically requested for out-of-state licensing boards or institutions that require mailed documentation.

Nursing License Verification

RNs and LPNs:

Verification for Boards of Nursing within the United States must be completed electronically through Nursys.

APRNs:

Submit the Verification of Licensure form with the $34 fee to the DC Department of Health as directed on the form.

DC Medical Licensing Service

Navigating the licensing process with the District of Columbia Board of Medicine and the Health Regulation and Licensing Administration can be complex, document heavy, and time-sensitive. Our DC Medical Licensing Service is designed to simplify every step of the process so you can focus on your medical career — not paperwork.

Licensing Support

Whether you are applying for a new District of Columbia medical license

Transferring your license from another state

Reactivating or upgrading an existing license

Applying through an expedited or multi-state pathway. Our experienced team provides structured, start-to-finish support.

What We Handle

Application preparation and review

Credential verification coordination

Examination documentation tracking

Reference collection assistance

Board communication and status follow-ups

Compliance review to minimize delays

We streamline the process by managing documentation and ensuring all submission requirements are met accurately and on time.

Proven Experience

• Assisted 50,000+ physicians nationwide
• 99% success rate
• 100% client satisfaction commitment

Our goal is to reduce stress, prevent costly errors, and accelerate approval timelines wherever possible.

Start Your DC Medical License Today.

Do not let administrative complexity delay your professional goals. Contact us to begin your District of Columbia medical license application with expert guidance and dedicated support.