Graduate from an approved medical school (MD or DO), with primary-source verification of your degree.
Complete at least 12 months of postgraduate training (internship or residency) in a program approved by the Virginia Board of Medicine.
Pass a national licensing examination accepted by the Board (USMLE, COMLEX, etc.).
For international medical graduates, provide ECFMG certification (or equivalent) to prove your credentials.
Submit a National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) self-query report along with your application.
Provide verification of all previous professional licenses (in U.S. or Canada), if any.
Undergo a state and federal criminal background check, including fingerprinting, as part of the application process.
Show good moral character and fitness to practice, per Virginia law.
Start the application via the Virginia Board of Medicine’s Application Wizard.
Choose your pathway:
Full MD/DO license (after 1 year post-graduate training).
Training license (for interns, residents, fellows) .
Endorsement (if you hold an unrestricted license in another U.S./Canadian jurisdiction) .
Reciprocity (if licensed in Maryland or DC) .
Reinstatement of lapsed or inactive license .
Upload required documentation:
Transcripts from medical school .
Postgraduate training verification.
Exam score reports.
NPDB self-query report.
Professional license history and malpractice history, if any
Pay the application fee (for MD/DO, it is US$ 302).
Ensure your application is completed within 180 days, otherwise it may expire.
Endorsement License: For physicians licensed elsewhere with at least 5 years of practice, active in good standing, and board-certified.
Reciprocity: Virginia allows licensure by reciprocity if you’re licensed in Maryland or D.C., subject to certain criteria.
Temporary / Foreign-Graduate License: Foreign graduates may receive a nonrenewable two-year license while in advanced training, under certain conditions.
The Board requires all documents (transcripts, verifications, NPDB report, background check) before finalizing your license.
Licensure may be delayed if any required verification is incomplete or not received in time.
Virginia Board of Medicine – Licensing & Application: Department of Health Professions+1
MD/DO Initial Application Instructions: license.dhp.virginia.gov
Licensure by Endorsement (MD/DO): Department of Health Professions
Reciprocity Instructions (MD/DO): license.dhp.virginia.gov
Board Regulations (VA Administrative Code, Title 18, Board of Medicine): Virginia Law
Virginia Medical Practice Law (Code of Virginia, Title 54.1): Virginia Law
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