Maryland Expedited License Pathways

Expedited Licensure

Criminal History Records Check Required

A criminal history records check is required by law in Maryland.

Completing your background check before you begin will speed the licensure process. CHRC Instructions (opens in a new window)

Purpose of Expedited Licensure Pathways

Obtaining and sending paper credentials to apply for a new license is a lengthy and expensive process for physician applicants. The purpose of licensure through an expedited pathway in Maryland is to minimize the administrative burden on the applicant while concurrently ensuring minimum qualifications are met to protect the public.

Through these expedited pathways, the Board will make every effort to verify credentials available through reports and data. Board staff will contact the applicant if any information in the application cannot be verified or differs from the verifiable information.

Licensure by Endorsement

Under this process, the Maryland Board accepts the physician’s current license as sufficient evidence that the applicant has met some or all of the requirements for licensure. A physician endorsement applicant would not have to undergo a lengthy credentialing process except to fulfill Maryland-specific requirements.

Endorsement requires additional minimum qualifications set by the Board.

Board certification
No disciplinary actions
Good moral character
Other Board-established qualifications

These requirements are determined through the Eligibility Screening and through the responses to the Character and Fitness section of the application.

Licensure by Reciprocity for Virginia and D.C. Licensees Only

Under this process, the Maryland Board accepts the physician’s current license in Virginia or the District of Columbia (D.C.) as sufficient evidence that the applicant has met some or all of the requirements for licensure. A physician reciprocity applicant would not have to undergo a lengthy credentialing process except to fulfill Maryland-specific requirements.

Important Notice

Foreign medical graduates licensed in Virginia are not eligible for reciprocity in Maryland because Maryland and Virginia have different training requirements.

Reciprocity requires additional minimum qualifications set by the Board.

No disciplinary actions
Good moral character
Other Board-established qualifications

These requirements are determined through the Eligibility Screening and through the responses to the Character and Fitness section of the application.

Things to Know Before You Begin

Expedited licensure is restricted to physician applicants who have never been issued a Maryland medical license.
Applicants must meet the requirements for the expedited pathway selected.
Applicants must complete the screening questions and the online application.
Applicants must submit payment of the application review and processing fee. Payment 1: Application review and processing fee of $310.
If the application is approved, the applicant will be required to sign in and make the second payment of the monthly licensure fee.
Payment 2: Prorated $20 monthly licensure fee assessed from the month of license application approval to the month of license expiration. Prorated licensure fee will not exceed $480. (COMAR 10.32.01.12)
Note: Physician licenses expire on September 30th of an even or odd year based on the applicant's last name. If your last name begins with the letters A-L, your license will expire on September 30th of the first even year following issuance of the license. If your last name begins with the letters M-Z, your license will expire on September 30th of the first odd year following issuance of the license. The Board issues a license once the applicant has met the requirements for licensure, which means your physician license could expire the same year it was issued.
There are no refunds if the Board determines that the applicant does not qualify for the expedited pathway selected.

Expedited Licensing

Eligible physicians may apply for Endorsement or Reciprocity.

To determine whether you are eligible for licensure by endorsement and to begin the application process, visit:

Endorsement Eligibility Screening

To determine whether you are eligible for licensure by reciprocity and to begin the application process, visit:

Reciprocity Eligibility Screening

Reciprocity with Virginia is currently limited to graduates of American medical schools.

If you started a license application by Endorsement or Reciprocity, please log in to continue or check your application status.

Check Application Status

For Assistance

For general licensure questions, please email mbpmail@rcn.com .
For technical support, please email chris.triplett@maryland.gov .