Introduction
Every state medical board provides free online license verification that shows a physician's current license status, expiration date, and any disciplinary history. Whether you're checking your own license, verifying a colleague's credentials, or researching a physician for credentialing purposes, this guide provides direct links to all 50 state verification systems.
Why Verify License Status?
For Physicians (Self-Verification)
| Reason | Importance |
|---|---|
| Confirm renewal processed | Ensure you're legally able to practice |
| Check expiration date | Plan for upcoming renewal |
| Verify status shows "Active" | Required for employment, privileges |
| Monitor public information | Know what others see about you |
| Pre-credentialing check | Confirm data before applications |
For Employers and Credentialers
| Reason | Importance |
|---|---|
| Primary source verification | Required for credentialing |
| Hiring due diligence | Confirm candidate's credentials |
| Ongoing monitoring | Detect status changes |
| Regulatory compliance | Meet verification requirements |
For Patients
| Reason | Importance |
|---|---|
| Confirm doctor is licensed | Basic safety check |
| Check for disciplinary actions | Review board actions |
| Verify specialty claims | Confirm stated credentials |
State-by-State Verification Links
Quick Reference Table
| State | Verification Portal | Direct Link |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | ALBME License Verification | https://albme.gov/licensee-search |
| Alaska | Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing | https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/cbp/main/search/professional |
| Arizona | Arizona Medical Board | https://azmd.gov/glsuite/clients/azbom/public/weblicensesearch.aspx |
| Arkansas | Arkansas State Medical Board | https://armedicalboard.org/public/verify |
| California | Medical Board of California | https://mbc.ca.gov/breeze/license_search.aspx |
| Colorado | DORA License Lookup | https://apps.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/lookup/licenselookup.aspx |
| Connecticut | eLicense CT | https://www.elicense.ct.gov/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx |
| Delaware | Division of Professional Regulation | https://delpros.delaware.gov/OH_VerifyLicense |
| Florida | FL DOH License Verification | https://mqa-internet.doh.state.fl.us/MQASearchServices/Home |
| Georgia | Georgia Composite Medical Board | https://medicalboard.georgia.gov/verify-license |
| Hawaii | DCCA Professional & Vocational Licensing | https://pvl.ehawaii.gov/pvlsearch |
| Idaho | Idaho Board of Medicine | https://isecure.bom.idaho.gov/bomPublic/LicenseSearch.aspx |
| Illinois | IDFPR License Lookup | https://online-dfpr.micropact.com/lookup/licenselookup.aspx |
| Indiana | MyLicense Indiana | https://mylicense.in.gov/everification |
| Iowa | Iowa Board of Medicine | https://medicalboard.iowa.gov/public-resources/find-doctor |
| Kansas | Kansas Board of Healing Arts | https://www.ksbha.org/verification |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure | https://kbml.ky.gov/licensee-search |
| Louisiana | Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners | https://lsbme.la.gov/licensee-search |
| Maine | Board of Licensure in Medicine | https://www.maine.gov/md/board-resources/license-verification |
| Maryland | Maryland Board of Physicians | https://www.mbp.state.md.us/bpqapp |
| Massachusetts | Board of Registration in Medicine | https://findmymedprofessional.mass.gov |
| Michigan | LARA License Verification | https://aca-prod.accela.com/MILARA/GeneralProperty/PropertyLookUp.aspx |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Board of Medical Practice | https://mn.gov/boards/medical-practice/public/find-a-doctor |
| Mississippi | Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure | https://msbml.ms.gov/search |
| Missouri | Division of Professional Registration | https://pr.mo.gov/licensee-search.asp |
| Montana | Montana Board of Medical Examiners | https://ebiz.mt.gov/pol |
| Nebraska | Nebraska DHHS Licensure Search | https://www.nebraska.gov/LISSearch/search.cgi |
| Nevada | Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners | https://medboard.nv.gov/resources/LicenseSearch |
| New Hampshire | NH Board of Medicine | https://oplc.nh.gov/medicine/verification |
| New Jersey | NJ Consumer Affairs License Search | https://newjersey.mylicense.com/verification |
| New Mexico | NM Medical Board | https://nmmb.nm.gov/verification |
| New York | NY Office of Professions | https://www.op.nysed.gov/verification-search |
| North Carolina | NC Medical Board | https://www.ncmedboard.org/resources-information/professional-resources/online-services/verification-services |
| North Dakota | ND Board of Medicine | https://www.ndbom.org/public/verify.asp |
| Ohio | State Medical Board of Ohio | https://elicense.ohio.gov/oh_verifylicense |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Medical Board | https://www.okmedicalboard.org/search |
| Oregon | Oregon Medical Board | https://www.oregon.gov/omb/Topics-of-Interest/Pages/Verification-Search.aspx |
| Pennsylvania | PA License Verification | https://www.pals.pa.gov/#/page/search |
| Rhode Island | RI DOH License Search | https://health.ri.gov/find/licensees |
| South Carolina | LLR License Lookup | https://verify.llronline.com/LicLookup/med/med.aspx |
| South Dakota | SD Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners | https://sdbmoe.gov/verification |
| Tennessee | TN Health Related Boards | https://apps.health.tn.gov/Licensure/default.aspx |
| Texas | Texas Medical Board | https://profile.tmb.state.tx.us/SearchPR.aspx |
| Utah | Utah DOPL | https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html |
| Vermont | Office of Professional Regulation | https://sos.vermont.gov/opr/find-a-professional |
| Virginia | DHP License Lookup | https://dhp.virginiainteractive.org/Lookup/Index |
| Washington | WA DOH Provider Credential Search | https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/providercredentialsearch |
| West Virginia | WV Board of Medicine | https://wvbom.wv.gov/public/search |
| Wisconsin | DSPS Credential Search | https://licensesearch.wi.gov |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Board of Medicine | https://wyomedboard.wyo.gov/licensure-verification |
| Washington D.C. | DC Health Professional License Search | https://doh.dc.gov/service/verify-health-professional |
What Information Is Publicly Available
Standard Public Information
| Data Element | Typically Available |
|---|---|
| Full name | Yes |
| License number | Yes |
| License type (MD/DO) | Yes |
| Status (Active/Inactive/Expired) | Yes |
| Original issue date | Yes |
| Expiration date | Yes |
| Practice address | Usually (some confidential) |
| Disciplinary history | Yes |
| Board certifications | Varies by state |
Information NOT Typically Public
| Data Element | Availability |
|---|---|
| Home address | Protected |
| Social Security Number | Never |
| DEA number | Not on state sites |
| Malpractice claims | Usually not (check NPDB) |
| Pending investigations | Not until action taken |
National Verification Resources
DocInfo (FSMB)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Website | docinfo.org |
| Coverage | All 50 states + territories |
| Information | License history, board actions, specialty |
| Cost | Free for basic search |
| Best for | Multi-state license overview |
National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Website | npdb.hrsa.gov |
| Information | Malpractice payments, adverse actions, Medicare/Medicaid exclusions |
| Access | Healthcare organizations (query-based) |
| Self-query | Physicians can query own record |
| Cost | $4 per query (for organizations); self-query free |
AMA Physician Masterfile
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Access | Through AMA |
| Information | Education, training, practice data |
| Use | Credentialing, verification |
| Self-access | Update your own profile |
ABMS Board Certification Verification
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Website | certificationmatters.org |
| Information | Board certification status |
| Coverage | All ABMS member boards |
| Cost | Free for public lookup |
How to Verify Your Own License
Step-by-Step Process
- Go to your state's verification portal (see table above)
- Search by your name or license number
- Review displayed information:
- Status shows "Active"
- Expiration date is correct
- No disciplinary actions listed
- Address is current
- Take screenshot for records (useful for credentialing)
- Repeat for each state where you're licensed
What to Do If Information Is Incorrect
| Issue | Action |
|---|---|
| Status incorrect | Contact board immediately |
| Wrong expiration date | Verify renewal processed |
| Address outdated | Update through board portal |
| Disciplinary error | Request correction in writing |
| Missing license | Confirm application completed |
Using Verification for Credentialing
Primary Source Verification Requirements
Credentialing organizations must verify:
| Credential | Primary Source |
|---|---|
| Medical license | State medical board |
| DEA registration | DEA CSOS or letter |
| Board certification | ABMS/AOA directly |
| Education | Medical school directly (or FCVS) |
| Training | Program directly (or FCVS) |
| NPDB | Query required |
Acceptable Verification Methods
| Method | Acceptability |
|---|---|
| State board website | Primary source—accepted |
| Printed certificate | Supporting, not primary |
| FCVS | Accepted as primary by most |
| Phone verification | With documentation |
| CVO services | Accepted by most organizations |
Key Takeaways
- All 50 states provide free online license verification
- Check shows status, expiration, and discipline history
- Verify your own license regularly (before renewal, after renewal, for applications)
- DocInfo.org provides multi-state overview
- NPDB for malpractice/adverse actions (organizations query; physicians can self-query)
- Primary source verification required for credentialing
- Incorrect information requires prompt action
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify a medical license for free?
Use the state medical board's official verification portal (links provided above). All 50 states offer free online license verification showing current status, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions. You can also use DocInfo.org (operated by FSMB) for a multi-state overview. No payment or registration is required for basic public information.
What does it mean if a license shows "Inactive"?
Inactive status means the license is valid but the physician cannot practice medicine. They've typically requested inactive status voluntarily (career break, non-clinical role) and pay reduced renewal fees. To practice again, they must reactivate the license. Inactive is different from "Expired" (which means the license lapsed) or "Revoked" (which indicates disciplinary action).
Can I see a physician's malpractice history on state websites?
Usually not. State medical board verification shows licensing status and board disciplinary actions, but not malpractice claims or settlements. Malpractice payment information is maintained in the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), which is not publicly accessible. Healthcare organizations can query NPDB for credentialing purposes, and physicians can self-query to see their own record.
How often should I verify my own license status?
Verify your license status: immediately after submitting renewal to confirm processing; before starting a new position; before hospital privilege renewal; after any address change; and at least annually as a routine check. Creating screenshots of verified status is useful for credentialing files. Use CredentialMate to automate monitoring and receive alerts for status changes.
What's the difference between state verification and DocInfo?
State medical board verification is the primary source showing detailed license information for that specific state. DocInfo.org (operated by FSMB) aggregates information from all state boards, providing a convenient single point to see all licenses a physician holds. For credentialing purposes, many organizations accept DocInfo, but some require direct state board verification. Use both: DocInfo for overview, state boards for official documentation.
Conclusion
License verification is essential for confirming your own compliance, credentialing processes, and due diligence. With free access to all 50 state verification systems plus national resources like DocInfo and NPDB, verifying physician credentials has never been easier.
Use CredentialMate to automate license monitoring across all your licensed states, receive alerts when status changes, and maintain verification documentation for credentialing.
References
[1]: FSMB - DocInfo Physician Verification https://docinfo.org/ Last verified: January 2026
[2]: NPDB - National Practitioner Data Bank https://npdb.hrsa.gov/ Last verified: January 2026
[3]: ABMS - Certification Matters https://certificationmatters.org/ Last verified: January 2026
[4]: Medical Board of California - License Search https://mbc.ca.gov/breeze/license_search.aspx Last verified: January 2026
[5]: Texas Medical Board - Profile Search https://profile.tmb.state.tx.us/SearchPR.aspx Last verified: January 2026
[6]: FSMB - Contact State Medical Boards https://www.fsmb.org/contact-a-state-medical-board/ Last verified: January 2026