A criminal history records check is required by law in Maryland.
Completing your background check BEFORE you begin will SPEED the licensure process. Click CHRC Instructions for details.
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 of the information in the application cannot be verified or is different than the verifiable information
Licensure by Endorsement: Under this process, the Maryland Board would accept 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 such as Board certification, no disciplinary actions, good moral character, etc. 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 DC Licensees ONLY: Under this process, the Maryland Board would accept the physician's current license in Virginia and 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 application would not have to undergo a lengthy credentialing process except to fulfill Maryland-specific requirements.
Please note that foreign medical graduates licensed in Virginia are ineligible for reciprocity in Maryland due to different licensure requirements for training.
"Reciprocity" requires additional minimum qualifications set by the Board such as no disciplinary actions and good moral character, etc. These requirements are determined through the Eligibility Screening and through the responses to the "Character and Fitness" section of the application.