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Maine (ME)

Maine Medical License

Get licensed to practice medicine in Maine. 42nd. IMLC member state for expedited licensure.

Population
1,400,000
Difficulty
Low-Medium
  • IMLC Compact member (joined 2017)
  • Telehealth: Allowed
  • CME: 40 hours per 2-year cycle (all Category 1)

Last updated 2025-12-30 · verified

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MD board

Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine

2-3 business days for inquiries; application updates within 2 weeks

Official Website ↗

Quick answer

Quick Answer: Maine Medical License

Time to License
4-6 weeks
Total Cost
$700-$1,200
CME Requirements
40 hours per 2-year cycle (all Category 1)
IMLC Compact
Yes - expedited licensing available

Difficulty: Low-Medium Telehealth: Allowed

Board-specific requirements

Maine MD and DO Board Details

Maine maintains separate licensing boards for MD (allopathic) and DO (osteopathic) physicians. CRITICAL DIFFERENCE: DO board requires 100 hours CME vs MD board 40 hours - DOs need 2.5x MORE CME than MDs! Application fees differ ($700 MD vs $350 DO), but renewal fees are the same ($500).

MD physicians

Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine

2-3 business days for inquiries; application updates within 2 weeks

Time To Approval
4-6 weeks
Total Cost Range
$700-$1,200
Application Fee
$700 (non-refundable)
State Specific Exam Required
No
Reciprocal Licensing
Yes
Cme Requirements
40 hours per 2-year cycle (all Category 1)
License Renewal Period
2
Renewal Cost
$500
Prorated Renewal
$150 (for licenses expiring within 6 months)
Renewal Deadline
Last day of birth month (even years for even-birth, odd years for odd-birth)
Note
MD physicians: Only 40 CME hours required (2.5x LESS than DO board!). Application $700, renewal $500. Includes 3 hours opioid prescribing.

CME details

40 hours per 2 years

Total Required
40 hours per 2-year cycle
Category1
All 40 hours must be Category 1
  • 3 hours opioid prescribing education (Category 1) every 2 years
  • Pain management education encouraged but not mandated
  • All hours must be AMA Category 1 credits

Reporting: Self-certification at renewal; random audit compliance verification

Official Website ↗

DO physicians

Maine Board of Osteopathic Licensure

2-3 business days for inquiries; application updates within 2 weeks

Time To Approval
4-6 weeks
Total Cost Range
$350-$850
Application Fee
$350 (plus $60 FSMB fee)
State Specific Exam Required
No
Reciprocal Licensing
Yes
Cme Requirements
100 hours per 2-year cycle (40 hours osteopathic education)
License Renewal Period
2
Renewal Cost
$500
Renewal Deadline
December 31 of even-numbered years
Note
DO physicians: WARNING - 100 CME hours required (2.5x MORE than MD board!). Must include 40 hours osteopathic education. Application $350 + $60 FSMB fee, renewal $500. Includes 3 hours opioid prescribing.

CME details

100 hours per 2 years

Total Required
100 hours per 2-year cycle
Osteopathic Education
40 hours must be osteopathic medical education
Primary Care
Primary care DOs: All hours must be AOA Category 1
Specialists
Specialist DOs: All hours must be AOA, ACGME, or AMA Category 1
  • 40 hours osteopathic medical education required
  • 3 hours opioid prescribing education every 2 years
  • Primary care: All credits must be AOA Category 1
  • Specialists: Credits can be AOA Category 1, ACGME Category 1, or AMA Category 1

Reporting: Self-certification at renewal; maintain documentation for audit

Official Website ↗

Board Comparison

Shared requirements

  • Both boards participate in IMLC (joined 2017)
  • Both require ECFMG certification for international medical graduates
  • Both require FBI fingerprint background check
  • Both require 3 professional references
  • Both require 3 hours opioid prescribing CME
  • Both have same renewal fee ($500 biennial)
  • Both allow COMLEX and USMLE exam pathways
  • Both have similar timeline (4-6 weeks)
  • Both require 2 years postgraduate training minimum

Key differences

  • MASSIVE CME DIFFERENCE: DO requires 100 hours/2 years vs MD requires 40 hours/2 years (2.5x more!)
  • DO requires 40 hours osteopathic medical education; MD has no specialty CME requirement
  • Application fees: MD $700 vs DO $350 (MD is 2x higher)
  • CME categories: DO requires AOA Category 1 for primary care; MD requires all Category 1
  • Different board contact information and websites
  • Different governing statutes and regulations
  • DO specialists can use AOA, ACGME, or AMA Category 1; MD uses AMA Category 1

Healthcare market

Maine Healthcare Market

Key market data for physicians considering Maine.

Healthcare Market

$12 billion (estimated 2024)

Physician Demand

Very High

Primary Care Avg.

$245,000

Unique Opportunities in Maine

  • Severe physician shortage - aging physician population
  • Oldest median age state in US - high geriatric needs
  • Beautiful natural environment and quality of life
  • Separate MD and DO licensing boards - different CME requirements (40 vs 100 hours)
  • MaineHealth academic opportunities
  • Rural areas have critical shortages

Application sequence

Maine Licensing Timeline

Typical timeline: 4-6 weeks. Here's what to expect.

  1. 1

    Submit Application

    Complete online application through appropriate board (MD Board of Licensure in Medicine or DO Board of Osteopathic Licensure).

    1-2 days
  2. 2

    Pay Fees

    Submit application fee (MD: $700; DO: $350 + $60 FSMB).

    Immediate
  3. 3

    Background Check

    Complete fingerprinting for FBI background check.

    1-2 weeks
  4. 4

    Verification

    Credential verification through FCVS or direct submission.

    2-3 weeks
  5. 5

    Approval

    Board review and license issuance.

    1-2 weeks

Application path

Maine License Requirements

Complete requirements for your ME medical license.

Medical Education

Must graduate from LCME-accredited (MD) or AOA-accredited (DO) medical school, or approved international school. Both boards accept both types of degrees.

  • Official transcripts required for both boards

Postgraduate Training

Minimum 2 year(s) required

  • MD Board: 24 months ACGME-accredited training. DO Board: 24 months ACGME or AOA-accredited training

Licensing Exams

MD Board: Pass USMLE Step 1, 2 CK, and 3. DO Board: Pass COMLEX-USA or USMLE Steps 1, 2, 3

  • COMLEX accepted: DO Board accepts COMLEX-USA. MD Board requires USMLE.

Background Check

Fingerprinting required

  • FBI fingerprint background check required for both boards

Professional References

3 references required

  • Licensed physicians
  • Program directors

Practice considerations

Practicing in Maine

What to expect when practicing medicine in Maine.

Specialties in Demand

Mostly rural; Portland main urban center

  • Primary Care
  • Family Medicine
  • Internal Medicine
  • Geriatrics
  • Psychiatry
  • OB/GYN

Compensation

Near national average

  • Primary Care: $245,000
  • Specialist: $370,000

Cost of Living

97.8 (2.2% below national average)

  • Housing: Moderate; median $350,000 (Portland higher)
  • State Tax: 5.8% to 7.15%

Major Markets

Major metropolitan practice markets.

  • Portland-South Portland (550K metro)
  • Bangor (150K metro)
  • Lewiston-Auburn (110K)

Shortage Areas

Areas with documented physician demand.

  • Northern Maine (Aroostook County)
  • Western Maine
  • Downeast region
  • Nearly all rural areas

Major Healthcare Systems

Selected systems in the frozen state resource.

  • MaineHealth
  • Northern Light Health
  • Central Maine Healthcare

Avoid delays

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Don't let these common issues delay your Maine license.

Applying to Wrong Board

Maine has separate MD and DO boards. Physicians may not realize they need to apply to the board corresponding to their degree type.

Solution: MD graduates apply to Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine (maine.gov/md). DO graduates apply to Maine Board of Osteopathic Licensure (maine.gov/osteo). Different websites, fees, and contact information.

Underestimating DO CME Requirements (2.5x More!)

DO board requires 100 hours CME vs MD board 40 hours. This is a massive 2.5x difference - one of the largest gaps in the nation. DOs may not realize the significantly higher burden.

Solution: DO physicians: Plan for 100 hours CME per 2-year cycle including 40 hours osteopathic education and 3 hours opioid prescribing. MD physicians: 40 hours all Category 1 including 3 hours opioid prescribing. Start CME tracking early.

Underestimating Winter Climate

Maine winters are long and harsh, especially in northern areas.

Solution: Research climate carefully; understand impact on rural practice and patient access. Consider 4-season wardrobe and vehicle preparation.

Rural Practice Isolation

Northern Maine is very remote with limited resources and specialist support.

Solution: Research location thoroughly; understand telehealth support and specialist referral patterns. Consider CME access for remote areas (especially critical for DOs needing 100 hours).

Common questions

Maine Licensing FAQ

Common questions about getting licensed in Maine.

I'm an MD - which Maine board do I apply to?

MD (allopathic) physicians apply to the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine (maine.gov/md). Application fee is $700, biennial renewal is $500. CME requirement: 40 hours per 2-year cycle (all Category 1) including 3 hours opioid prescribing. This is 2.5x LESS CME than the DO board requires.

I'm a DO - which Maine board do I apply to?

DO (osteopathic) physicians apply to the Maine Board of Osteopathic Licensure (maine.gov/osteo). Application fee is $350 + $60 FSMB fee, biennial renewal is $500. CME requirement: 100 hours per 2-year cycle including 40 hours osteopathic education and 3 hours opioid prescribing. This is 2.5x MORE CME than the MD board requires.

Why do DOs need 2.5x more CME than MDs in Maine?

Maine's DO board requires 100 hours per 2-year cycle vs MD board 40 hours - one of the largest MD/DO CME gaps in the nation. The DO board requires 40 hours of osteopathic medical education to maintain osteopathic principles and philosophy. This significantly higher requirement should be carefully considered by DO physicians when choosing Maine for practice.

How long does Maine medical licensure take?

Both MD and DO boards typically process applications in 4-6 weeks for complete applications. IMLC pathway may expedite this timeline for eligible physicians from both boards.

Is Maine in the IMLC?

Yes, both the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine (MD) and Maine Board of Osteopathic Licensure (DO) joined IMLC in 2017. Eligible physicians can use the expedited pathway regardless of degree type.

Why is physician demand so high in Maine?

Maine has the oldest median age population in the US and an aging physician workforce creating a double shortage. Both MD and DO physicians are needed, especially in rural areas and geriatrics.

Are there loan repayment programs available in Maine?

Yes, NHSC and state-specific loan repayment programs are available in underserved areas for both MD and DO physicians. Maine's severe physician shortage makes these programs widely available.

What are the application fees for MD vs DO in Maine?

MD Board: $700 application (non-refundable). DO Board: $350 application + $60 FSMB fee = $410 total. Both boards charge $500 for biennial renewal. The MD application fee is nearly 2x higher than the DO application fee.

Can I get CME credits online for Maine's requirements?

Yes, both boards accept online CME. MD physicians need 40 hours Category 1. DO physicians need 100 hours including 40 hours osteopathic education (AOA Category 1 for primary care; AOA/ACGME/AMA Category 1 for specialists). Both require 3 hours opioid prescribing.

Related states

Also Considering These States?

Many providers licensed in Maine also practice in these states.

New Hampshire License

Neighboring state; similar New England environment; IMLC member; compare MD/DO CME requirements

View state guide

Vermont License

Similar rural New England state; IMLC member; also has separate MD/DO boards

View state guide

Massachusetts License

Neighboring state; access to Boston specialists; compare licensing requirements

View state guide

Pennsylvania License

Also has separate MD/DO boards; IMLC member; both PA boards require 100 hours CME (no MD/DO gap)

View state guide

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