Please note: The application process will take roughly four months.
All physicians must receive a license from the Board prior to practicing medicine in NC. There are several pathways to licensure. Click “show more” under each item listed below to access applications and to determine which pathway best suits your needs before applying.
Application for a full license
Who should complete this application?
Graduates of U.S. and Canadian medical schools who DO NOT have a completed FCVS profile.
TIP: Before selecting this application, please review the criteria for the expedited full license application (immediately above) to see if you are eligible.
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Am I eligible for licensure in North Carolina?
Detailed eligibility requirements for licensure are listed in each application checklist located in the Downloads section to the right.
Please note:
The NCMB only accepts applications submitted online. Applicants are required to submit certain paper documents to supplement their online application. These are outlined in the application checklists. Failure to submit all required information may result in processing delays.
Application credentials and fee are good for one year. If the applicant is not issued a license within the year and chooses to reapply, he or she will be required to resubmit all application credentials and an additional application fee. A current license application fee schedule is located in the downloads section.
Learn more about licensing: rules and statutes.
Renewal requirements
NC law requires licensed physicians to renew with the Board within 30 days of their birth date, every year. A renewal fee is required. Please note that a licensee’s first renewal is due within 30 days of their NEXT birthday, even if it occurs shortly after the date a professional license is issued to them. License application fees do NOT count towards the first renewal fee.
Learn more about renewals here.
Application for a full license (expedited)
Who should complete this application?
Only those physicians who meet specific criteria may complete the expedited license application. A physician must meet ALL requirements outlined in the Eligibility Requirements.
Graduates of International Medical Schools must have a current ECFMG certificate or have completed a 5th pathway program.
If the Board determines, upon receipt of the application, that the applicant does not qualify, the applicant will need to notify the Board in writing requesting withdrawal of the application and a refund if payment was made.
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After verifying that you qualify for the expedited license application by reviewing the Eligibility Requirements (under Resources, at right), begin an application by clicking the “Online Application” button (under Web Links, at right). NCMB accepts online applications only. Applicants may be required to submit certain paper documents to supplement the online application.
Application credentials and fee are good for one year. If the applicant is not issued a license within the year and chooses to reapply, he or she will be required to resubmit all application credentials and an additional application fee. Click here to access the current license application fee schedule.
Renewal requirements
NC law requires licensed physicians to renew with the Board within 30 days of their birth date, every year. A renewal fee is required. Please note that a licensee’s first renewal is due within 30 days of their NEXT birthday, even if it occurs shortly after the date the professional license is issued. License application fees do NOT count towards the first renewal fee.
Please Be Aware
1. NCMB requires applicants for licensure to submit to a criminal background check as part of the licensure process.
2. NCMB will review all relevant information when processing a license application and making a determination on licensure. As part of the NCMB’s review, it considers criminal convictions. When considering criminal convictions, the NCMB shall consider all the factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 93B-8.1(b1). Below is a link to N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 93B Occupational Licensing Boards where you can review the factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 93B-8.1(b1).
3. If NCMB denies an application in whole or in part because of a criminal conviction or otherwise, there is an appeals process that the applicant can pursue through N.C. Gen. Stat § 90-14.1. Review the appeals process in N.C. Gen. Stat § 90-14.1.
Application for a full license using FCVS
To complete the NC Medical Board license application using FCVS, the applicant must complete both the NC license application AND have a completed FCVS profile.
Establishing an FCVS profile takes several months and requires contacting FCVS, an organization independent of the medical board. Applicants are encouraged to complete their FCVS applications six months before they need their FCVS profile submitted to the state medical board for licensure.
Who should complete this application?
International medical school graduates (IMGs) and applicants who have a completed FCVS profile must use this application, UNLESS they are eligible to apply via the expedited license application. TIP: Before selecting this application, please review the criteria for the expedited license application (immediately above) to see if you are eligible.
Show More
Click the “Online Application” button at right. Applicants may be required to submit certain paper documents to supplement the online application. The NCMB only accepts applications submitted on line.
Please view the checklist at right. It is designed to help you manage application requirements.
Renewal requirements
NC law requires licensed physicians to renew with the Board within 30 days of their birth date, every year. A renewal fee is required. Please note that a licensee’s first renewal is due within 30 days of their NEXT birthday, even if it occurs shortly after the date the professional license is issued. License application fees do NOT count towards the first renewal fee.
Am I eligible for licensure in North Carolina?
Eligibility requirements for licensure are listed in the Applications Checklist (download, at right). Failure to submit required information may result in delays.
Learn more about licensing: rules and statutes.
The average processing time for applications is 5 months.
Application credentials and fee are good for one year. If the applicant is not issued a license within the year and chooses to reapply, he or she will be required to resubmit all application credentials and an additional application fee. Click here to access the current license application fee schedule.
Application for a military relocation license
Who should complete this application?
Military service members or the spouse of a military service member that is relocating to North Carolina on military orders.
Show More
Specific eligibility requirements for a military relocation license are listed in the downloads section.
Please note:
The NCMB only accepts applications submitted online. Applicants are required to submit certain paper documents to supplement their online application. These are outlined in the application checklists. Failure to submit all required information may result in processing delays.
Application credentials and fee are good for one year. If the applicant is not issued a license within the year and chooses to reapply, he or she will be required to resubmit all application credentials and an additional application fee. A current license application fee schedule is located in the downloads section.
Learn more about licensing: rules and statutes.
Renewal requirements
NC law requires licensed physicians to renew with the Board within 30 days of their birth date, every year. A renewal fee is required. Please note that a licensee’s first renewal is due within 30 days of their NEXT birthday, even if it occurs shortly after the date a professional license is issued to them. License application fees do NOT count towards the first renewal fee.
Learn more about renewals here.
Application for reactivation of NC medical license
Who should complete this application?
Physicians who have held a NC medical license but have had the license placed on inactive status within the past calendar year. IMPORTANT: If the license is inactive as a result of a disciplinary action (revocation, suspension, surrender, etc.) then the physician must complete the reinstatement application.
Show More
Click the “Online Application” button at the right. Applicants will be required to submit certain paper documents to supplement the online application. The NCMB only accepts applications submitted online.
Please view the checklist at right. It is designed to help you manage application requirements.
Renewal requirements
NC law requires licensed physicians to renew with the Board within 30 days of their birth date, every year. A renewal fee is required. Please note that a licensee’s first renewal is due within 30 days of their NEXT birthday, even if it occurs shortly after the date the professional license is issued. License application fees do NOT count towards the first renewal fee.
Am I eligible for licensure in North Carolina?
Eligibility requirements for licensure are listed in detail in the Application Checklist (download, at right). Failure to submit required information may result in delays.
Please Be Aware
1. NCMB requires applicants for licensure to submit to a criminal background check as part of the licensure process.
2. NCMB will review all relevant information when processing a license application and making a determination on licensure. As part of the NCMB’s review, it considers criminal convictions. When considering criminal convictions, the NCMB shall consider all the factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 93B-8.1(b1). Below is a link to N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 93B Occupational Licensing Boards where you can review the factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 93B-8.1(b1).
3. If NCMB denies an application in whole or in part because of a criminal conviction or otherwise, there is an appeals process that the applicant can pursue through N.C. Gen. Stat § 90-14.1. Review the appeals process in N.C. Gen. Stat § 90-14.1.
Learn more about licensing: rules and statutes.
Application credentials and fee are good for one year. If the applicant is not issued a license within the year and chooses to reapply, he or she will be required to resubmit all application credentials and an additional application fee. Click here to access the current license application fee schedule.
Application for reinstatement of NC medical license
Who should complete this application?
Physicians who previously held a NC license but whose license either has been inactive for more than one year or was made inactive as a result of disciplinary action (revocation, suspension, surrender, etc.).
Show More
Click the “Online Application” button at right. Applicants will be required to submit certain paper documents to supplement the online application. The NCMB only accepts applications submitted online.
Please view the checklist at right. It is designed to help you manage application requirements.
Renewal requirements
NC law requires licensed physicians to renew with the Board within 30 days of their birth date, every year. A renewal fee is required. Please note that a licensee’s first renewal is due within 30 days of their NEXT birthday, even if it occurs shortly after the date the professional license is issued. License application fees do NOT count towards the first renewal fee.
Am I eligible for licensure in North Carolina?
Eligibility requirements for licensure are listed in detail in the Application Checklist (download, at right). Failure to submit required information may result in delays.
Please Be Aware
1. NCMB requires applicants for licensure to submit to a criminal background check as part of the licensure process.
2. NCMB will review all relevant information when processing a license application and making a determination on licensure. As part of the NCMB’s review, it considers criminal convictions. When considering criminal convictions, the NCMB shall consider all the factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 93B-8.1(b1). Below is a link to N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 93B Occupational Licensing Boards where you can review the factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 93B-8.1(b1).
3. If NCMB denies an application in whole or in part because of a criminal conviction or otherwise, there is an appeals process that the applicant can pursue through N.C. Gen. Stat § 90-14.1. Review the appeals process in N.C. Gen. Stat § 90-14.1.
Learn more about licensing: rules and statutes.
Application credentials and fee are good for one year. If the applicant is not issued a license within the year and chooses to reapply, he or she will be required to resubmit all application credentials and an additional application fee. Click here to access the current license application fee schedule.
