I’m often asked, “Which of the states take the longest to process a state medical license?” Well, the list changes as states change their requirements or update their application processes. Here is the most current list based on our recent observations while managing the medical licensing application process.
Arkansas requires applicants for medical licensure to verify ALL employment and staff privileges ever held in addition to education, postgraduate training, examinations, American Board Certification, and a background check. Getting an Arkansas medical license can be very difficult for doctors with a long practice history.
Illinois had a complete shut down in their office not long ago and are currently 4-6 weeks behind in processing their mail.
Massachusetts takes a long time to process due to the way they want the application and verifications to be submitted. They want the applicant to gather all of the required verifications and submit them all at once along with the application. Other states let the verifications trickle in and provide feedback as to the acceptability of the verification as they process them. With Massachusetts, you have to wait for the packet to be assigned to a processor and for them to review it which can take weeks.
Mississippi, like Arkansas, requires verification of ALL employment and staff privileges ever held in addition to education, postgraduate training, examinations and American Board Certification. Again, the Mississippi medical license application process can be very difficult for doctors with extensive practice history.
Texas has always been on my hit list. The biggest problem with Texas is their forms. They use the same form to verify postgraduate training as they do to verify employment and staff privileges. It’s a very long and very confusing form. Unfortunately, they are very picky and the form must be completed in it’s entirety. The Medical Board of Texas also requires a background check and a juris prudence exam.