FAQs

Names on License

A licensee must practice under the name on their license. A licensee must practice under the legal name, unless otherwise authorized by the Board. A licensee may practice under their maiden name or other court appointed name if the licensee provides verification of the practitioner’s legal name and maiden/court appointed name, along with a statement as to why they wish to practice under a different name other than their legal name, any past and future intended use of the name, and verification of names (marriage certificate, marriage dissolution documents, driver’s license, court records, etc. that would establish the name change). This will be documented in the practitioner’s resources in the database in order to verify any names or aliases for licensure verification and discipline. The use of a name other than the practitioner’s legal name with the above information will be reviewed and approved by the Board Chair and Executive Director – unless in their discretion, it should require full Board approval.

Does my application for a ND medical license expire?

Yes. If your application is one year or older and it is still incomplete, it will expire and you will be required to apply again if you want to pursue licensure in ND.

When does my license expire?

As of August 1, 2023, physician licenses expire on your birthday every other year. Renewal notices will be sent out 59 days prior and again at 14 days prior to your license expiration. Thus it is important that you have a valid email address on record with the Board.

For an initial license, your license will expire the second time your birthday comes around after your license was approved by the Board. Please note that the $405 you initially pay is your application fee and licensure fee.

Does the ND Board of Medicine participate in the Interstate Medical Licensing Compact (IMLC)?

Yes, the Board participates in the Interstate Medical Licensing Compact (IMLC). The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact is an agreement among participating U.S. states to work together to significantly streamline the licensing process for physicians who want to practice in multiple states. It offers a voluntary, expedited pathway to licensure for physicians who qualify. If you are interested in applying via the IMLC, please visit the IMLC Website to see if you qualify. For more information visit the IMLC page on the Board's website.

Where do I find info on Telemedicine and/or other rules?

You will find statutes related to Telemedicine under North Dakota Century Code sections 43-17-01 (7); 43.17-44, and 43-17-45.

New exceptions to licensure for certain telemedicine practices were adopted into North Dakota Administrative Code 50-02-15 and became effective January 1, 2025.

All statutes and administrative rules can be found under Laws and Regulations.

How soon before a Board meeting does my file need to be complete to be considered for a regular medical license?

Your file must be complete at least 4 weeks prior to the scheduled Board meetings. Once your file is complete, it is sent to the Board's Chair for review and approval of a provisional temporary (PT) license. This process takes a minimum of 7-10 days and we finalize licensees for our Board meeting at least 2-3 weeks prior to each meeting so that our Board members have ample time to review the many applicants for licensure.

What is the processing time for a license application?

We strive to process each application in a timely manner; however, the processing time does vary for each application as there are situations which can delay the process. For example, an incomplete application, waiting for documents/verifications to arrive, rejection of fingerprints, and lack of cooperation from the physician can delay the process.

Please note that your file must be complete and approved by our Board Chair before going to a Board meeting for consideration of a permanent license. We ask you to allow 7-10 days to get your approved provisional temporary license returned from the Board Chair. If you want to be considered for a permanent license at any Board meeting, you should apply early enough so that your file is complete and back from the Chair at least three weeks prior to the date of the Board meeting. The Board meeting dates are posted on our website.

How can I obtain fingerprint cards?

Fingerprint cards may be available at any local law enforcement agency or at companies who provide fingerprinting services. The standard FBI fingerprint card number is FD-258 (white card/blue print). However, other types of fingerprint cards may be used if they have the required 14 boxes/sections for fingerprints. If you have problems obtaining fingerprint cards, please contact the Board office.

What are the application and background check fees?

The application and licensure fee for a locum tenens license is $205. The LT license is valid for 90 days and is site specific. If you wish to convert the LT license to a provisional temporary (PT) license at a later date, the fee is $200.

As of August 1, 2023, the initial application and licensure fee for a permanent license is $405. The background check fee is $40. The application fee is payable online via credit card. A separate check or money order must be submitted for the background check fee, made payable to the Office of the Attorney General and mailed to the Board office with your two required fingerprint cards.

I am using FCVS. Do I have to complete the application?

Yes, you still need to fill out the online application. You do NOT need to request the Certificate of Medical Education, postgraduate training verifications, licensing exam transcript, or ECFMG verification status (if applicable) as those credentials will be included in your FCVS packet.

I am using FCVS. What else do I need to submit?

FCVS only collects what are called "core credentials" - documents that will not change such as medical school and postgraduate training, ECFMG status, and licensing exam scores. You will still need to submit copies of ABMS/AOA board specialty certificates, if applicable. A National Practitioner Data Bank report is also included as part of the FCVS packet. For more information on what needs to be submitted as part of your application, please view the Application Instructions.

What is the best way for me to check the status of my application?

Your online application status can be checked by logging into your Licensee Dashboard and clicking on "Application Status" under Applications.

I am applying for a license in another state and they need verification of my North Dakota license. What do I need to do?

Verification to a U.S. medical or osteopathic licensing board is processed using VeriDoc. Go to VeriDoc to request the verification of your North Dakota license to another licensing board. You will pay by credit card and the verification will be electronically sent to the state medical or osteopathic board. Verifications obtained through VeriDoc are accepted by all state licensing boards in lieu of any form they might have.

If you need a license verification sent to a location outside of the U.S., you will need to mail your request to the Board along with a check or money order in U.S. funds for $30. Please clearly indicate the address where the verification is to be sent. For more information, visit the Request License Verification on the Board's website.

Can a license be issued without receipt of the federal/state background check?

No license of any type will be issued without the Board having the results of the federal and state background checks; therefore, it is extremely important that you submit your fingerprint cards at the beginning of the application process to allow ample time for processing. Fingerprints can be rejected due to low characteristics of the prints and/or for other reasons and if this happens, an applicant must submit two additional fingerprint cards. If an applicant’s prints are rejected a second time, a name search will be conducted. However, name searches tend to take longer than the normal fingerprint-based background checks.

I previously held a North Dakota resident license and now I am applying for a permanent license. Do I have to complete the whole application packet?

Yes, you must complete the physician application online for a permanent license as the application differs from the resident application. If you currently hold a resident license in the state of North Dakota, you do not need to request the verification of your medical school again nor will you need to submit fingerprint cards for an additional background check. However, if you previously held a resident license in the past and have since left the North Dakota residency program, you will be required to submit another set of fingerprint cards with your application for a medical license. Foreign medical graduates in a North Dakota residency program can apply for a regular license after 24 months of post-graduate training in the United States. U.S. medical graduates in a North Dakota residency program or any other ACGME or AOA accredited program can apply for a regular medical license after successfully completing one year of postgraduate training.

What is required for verification of my license to the Secretary of State's office for purposes of forming a professional corporation?

We require a $30 fee for this service, payable only by check, money order, or cash at this time. Please fill out items 1-4 on ND Secretary of State Form number SFN13610. Submit the form and payment to the Board office, along with instructions on where to send the completed form, i.e., directly to the Secretary of State's office, your attorney's office, or back to you.

My license has been inactive for several years. How do I reactivate it?

If your license has been inactive for three or more years, you will be required to submit a new application for licensure. However, you will not need to request the medical school verification, postgraduate training verification, the licensing exam transcript and the ECMFG verification status, if applicable, to be sent to the Board. You also do not need to provide copies postgraduate training certificates unless you have completed additional training since your medical license lapsed.

What do the different licensure statuses mean?

PT = Provisional Temporary License. These licenses are granted in the interim of regularly scheduled Board meetings to allow a physician to start practicing. All PT licenses are presented to the Board at one of the next available Board meeting for consideration of a permanent North Dakota medical license. Once approved by the Board, the PT drops off the front of the license and the physician retains the 4 or 5 digit license number as their permanent license number.

PTA = Provisional Temporary Administrative License. These licenses are granted in the interim of regularly scheduled Board meetings to allow a physician to start practicing administrative medicine. Administrative medical licenses are issued for the purpose of practicing medicine only in an administrative capacity and does not allow a physician to practice clinical medicine. All PTA licenses are presented to the Board at one of the next available Board meeting for consideration of a permanent North Dakota administrative medical license. Once approved by the Board, the PT drops off the front of the license and the physician retains the A (for Administrative) followed by a 5 digit license number as their permanent license number. (Example: A12345)

LT = Locum Tenens License. Locum tenens licenses are only valid for a period of 90 days at a specified location. A locum tenens license can be converted to a provisional temporary (PT) license by submitting an additional $200 fee.

RL = Resident License. Resident licenses are issued for the full duration of the North Dakota postgraduate training program. Residents cannot moonlight outside the scope of the residency training program with a RL license.

SEC = Special Emeritus Certification. This certification is considered "honorary" only. There is no fee or expiration date for this certification; however, the physician cannot practice or prescribe with a Special Emeritus certification.

How can I get a duplicate licensure card?

How do I change my mailing address or email?

I just got married/divorced and/or had a legal name change. How do I change the name on my license?

Email a notarized copy of a legal document such as a marriage license or divorce decree showing your new legal name.

Will I receive a new renewal card or wall certificate after a name change?

A new wall certificate is not issued when a name change occurs. However, you can always login to your Licensee Dashboard and print your licensure card.

I did not renew my license in time and now it is inactive. How do I renew it?

You can renew/reactivate your license up to three years after it expired by logging into your License Dashboard and renewing. You will be asked an additional question as to whether you have practiced within the state since your medical license expired. You will be required to pay any renewal fees in arrearage.