In order to legally practice medicine in the United States, all physicians must obtain licensure. The process is a rigorous one. Through the Medical Practice Act, state medical boards regulate the standards for obtaining initial licensure and ongoing maintenance of that license. Meaning that the requirements vary from state to state. 

What is the initial licensing process?

The licensing process allows state medical boards to ensure that all practicing physicians have received the appropriate education and training. For example, having graduated from an accredited medical school, postgraduate training program, and having passed the national medical licensing examination. The applicant must submit proof of their medical education and postgraduate training. As well as provide information regarding their practicing specialty and details about their work history. During the licensing process, applicants are required to disclose information such as health status, malpractice judgments or settlements, criminal convictions, and any sanctions or investigations. Applicants that meet the boards’ qualifications are granted licensure and can practice medicine within that jurisdiction. 

What happens next…?

Upon being granted a license to practice medicine, the licensee is required to maintain acceptable standards of ethics and medical practice at all times. Licensees are required to renew their medical license periodically. Just like initial licensure, the requirements to maintain your license vary from state to state with asynchronous timelines. In almost all states, physicians are required to participate in CME (continuing medical education.) The amount of required CME credits as well as specifications of the topics vary between jurisdictions. 

Mocingbird knows the inconsistencies and complex regulations are an overwhelming burden for physicians and other healthcare professionals. Mocingbird has your back. Mocingbird streamlines and simplifies the maintenance of certification into one platform automating the process of managing state licenses, board certifications, and other expiring credentials. Talk to the Mocingbird team today.


About Mocingbird

Mocingbird is a SaaS management platform that improves medicine and clinician well-being by eliminating the chaos of ongoing credentialing and delivering high-impact Continuing Medical Education. For individual clinicians, we develop a one-stop solution to validate, track, document, and calculate the CME requirements for the maintenance of their professional licenses. For healthcare organizations, we provide a management tool that offers a real-time overview of compliance for risk mitigation. Mocingbird was founded by Interventional Cardiologist, Dr. George Fernaine and Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and CEO, Dr. Ian Madom.