State of Nevada Board of Medical Examiners                 Licensing Division                 Frequently Asked Questions

Most Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Medical Licensure

 

1.           How long does it take to receive licensure?

 

           It varies from one applicant to another, depending upon the amount of documentation needed to complete the particular file.  Usually, the time frame is one to three months.  However, pursuant to NAC 630.180 Refund of fee for application; rejection of application (NRS 630.130):

     1.  If an applicant:

     (a) Does not complete his application by providing all the documentation required by the form for application within 6 months after the actual date of filing of the form by the applicant;

     (b) Withdraws his application; or

     (c) Dies before he is issued a license by the Board, 

   the Board will not refund any portion of the fee for application.

     2.  Applications which are not completed within 6 months will be rejected.

 

 2.         Will I have to appear before the Board?

 

              It depends.  If the applicant has an issue that merits coming before the Board, such as dependency issues (past or present), the applicant has been a defendant in a legal action involving professional liability and has had any malpractice settlement amount paid on his/her behalf, or if applying by endorsement, the applicant will be required to appear before the Board once his/her file is complete.

 

3.         What if my application for licensure is denied?

 

               If a license application is denied following an appearance before the Board of Medical Examiners, it is reportable to the AMA, the Federation of State Medical Boards, the Healthcare Integrity Protection Data Bank, and the Department of Health and Human Services.

 

4.         Are foreign physicians able to obtain a license before obtaining a Visa?

 

             No. The Board of Medical Examiners requires proof that the physician can lawfully remain and work in the United States and verification must be obtained from INS.

 

5.         What medical schools are acceptable?

 

              A physician must receive the degree of Doctor of Medicine from a medical school:  (1) approved by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education of the American Medical Association and Association of American Medical Colleges; or (2) a program which provides a course of professional instruction equivalent to that provided in medical schools in the United States approved by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.

 

 6.          What is Endorsement?

If a physician is licensed in another state and is in good standing, he/she may apply for medical licensure by endorsement from that state.

NRS 630.1605  Requirements for license by endorsement to practice medicine. [Effective January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2011.]

      1.  Except as otherwise provided in NRS 630.161, the Board shall, except for good cause, issue a license by endorsement to practice medicine to an applicant who has been issued a license to practice medicine by the District of Columbia or any state or territory of the United States if:

      (a) At the time the applicant files his application with the Board, the license is in effect and unrestricted; and

      (b) The applicant:

             (1) Is currently certified by a specialty board of the American Board of Medical Specialties and was certified or recertified within the past 10 years;

             (2) Has had no adverse actions reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank within the past 10 years;

             (3) Has been continuously and actively engaged in the practice of medicine within his specialty for the past 5 years;

             (4) Is not involved in and does not have pending any disciplinary action concerning his license to practice medicine in the District of Columbia or any state or territory of the United States;

             (5) Provides information on all the medical malpractice claims brought against him, without regard to when the claims were filed or how the claims were resolved; and

             (6) Meets all statutory requirements to obtain a license to practice medicine in this State except that the applicant is not required to meet the requirements set forth in NRS 630.160.

      2.  A license by endorsement may be issued at a meeting of the Board or between its meetings by its President and Executive Director. Such an action shall be deemed to be an action of the Board.

      (Added to NRS by 2003, 1886; A 2007, 1825, effective January 1, 2008)

           This is not reciprocity.  Nevada does not grant medical licenses by reciprocity.

7.                Does Nevada accept the Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS)?

 

             Yes, if the verification in the packet was not submitted by the applicant, the packet has a "seal verified" stamp, and all information on the forms is complete.  Additional information may also be required.

 

8.         Do I have to send in my original or certified birth certificate, passport or Certificate of

            Naturalization?

 

             Yes, the Board of Medical Examiners requires original verification of these documents.  The documents will be returned to the applicant in a secure manner.

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