Georgia Medical License

Table Of Content

Hold an active, unencumbered U.S. medical license, or apply for a Georgia medical license if licensed in another state.
Graduate from an LCME-accredited (MD) or COCA-accredited (DO) medical school.
Complete postgraduate training: at least one year of ACGME- or AOA-approved residency for U.S. grads; three years generally required for international graduates.
Submit official medical school transcripts, sent directly from your school to the Georgia Composite Medical Board (GCMB).
Provide verification of postgraduate training, sent directly by your residency program.
Submit USMLE or COMLEX exam transcripts, sent directly from the testing authority.
If you’ve held a medical license before, provide license verifications from those jurisdictions.
Submit a NPDB (National Practitioner Data Bank) self-query report, if applicable.

Apply through the Georgia Composite Medical Board’s online portal (Licensure Gateway).
Upload all required documents: transcripts, training verification, reference letters, resume/CV (with any employment gaps clearly explained), license verifications, NPDB report, and a recent passport-style photograph.
Complete the Affidavit of Applicant, notarized as required.
Provide three reference letters from professionals who know you (for initial licensure).
Undergo a criminal background check, including FBI fingerprinting.
Primary source verification: the GCMB will verify your education, training, and license history directly with the issuing institutions.
Average application processing time is 4–6 weeks, assuming no complicating factors.

Physicians in Georgia are not required to have a collaborating physician for prescribing.
If you hold an active DEA registration, you must enroll in the Georgia PDMP (Prescription Drug Monitoring Program) within 30 days of licensure.
As a prescriber, you are required to check the PDMP before prescribing:
- For first-time prescriptions of Schedule II drugs or benzodiazepines
- Subsequently, check every 90 days if the prescription continues.

1. Physicians who maintain a DEA certificate and prescribe controlled substances must complete at least 3 hours of AMA/AOA Category 1 CME on controlled substance prescribing practices.
2. All physicians must complete 2 hours of training on professional boundaries and prevention of physician sexual misconduct.

Georgia participates in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), allowing expedited licensure for eligible physicians.
For IMLC applicants, you must submit:
- A Letter of Qualification (LOQ) from your principal license state (valid for 365 days)
- CV or résumé (explaining any gaps), NPDB self-query report, reference forms, and a notarized Affidavit.
- A malpractice questionnaire, if applicable. Must register with Georgia’s PDMP within 30 days if you hold DEA.

Typical timeline for a new Georgia medical license: 4–6 weeks, assuming documents (transcripts, reference letters, training verification) are submitted correctly.
Additional delays may occur if there are disciplinary issues, complex work history, or international credentials.

Georgia Composite Medical Board (GCMB): https://medicalboard.georgia.gov/
Georgia PDMP Registration & Info: https://dph.georgia.gov/pdmp
GCMB Continuing Education Requirements: https://medicalboard.georgia.gov/professional-resources/continuing-education-and-other-required-training-physicians