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Nevada (NV)

Nevada Medical License

Get licensed to practice medicine in Nevada. 32nd. IMLC member state for expedited licensure.

Population
3,200,000
Difficulty
Moderate
  • 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

Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners

3-5 business days for general inquiries; application status updates within 2-3 weeks

Official Website ↗

Quick answer

Quick Answer: Nevada Medical License

Time to License
6-10 weeks
Total Cost
$300-$500
CME Requirements
40 hours per 2-year cycle (all Category 1)
IMLC Compact
Yes - expedited licensing available

Difficulty: Moderate Telehealth: Allowed

Board-specific requirements

Nevada MD and DO Board Details

Nevada maintains separate licensing boards for MD (allopathic) and DO (osteopathic) physicians. CRITICAL DIFFERENCE: MD board has BIENNIAL (2-year) license renewal, while DO board has ANNUAL (1-year) renewal. Both boards participate in IMLC and have identical CME requirements (40 hours Category 1).

MD physicians

Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners

3-5 business days for general inquiries; application status updates within 2-3 weeks

Time To Approval
6-10 weeks
Total Cost Range
$300-$500
Application Fee
$300
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
$200
Renewal Deadline
June 30 of odd-numbered years
Late Fee
$100 (if renewed after expiration)
Note
MD physicians: BIENNIAL (2-year) renewal cycle. Application $300, renewal $200 every 2 years by June 30 of odd-numbered years. CME: 40 hours/2 years (all Category 1) with 2 hours ethics/pain/addiction, 2 hours suicide prevention (every 4 years), 4 hours bioterrorism (one-time), 2 hours SBIRT (one-time).

CME details

40 hours per 2 years

Total Required
40 hours per 2-year cycle
Category1
All 40 hours must be AMA PRA Category 1 Credit
Scope Of Practice
20 hours must be within scope of practice
  • 2 hours ethics, pain management, and/or addiction care every 2 years
  • 2 hours suicide prevention and awareness (within 2 years of initial licensure, then every 4 years)
  • 4 hours bioterrorism (one-time requirement within 2 years of initial licensure)
  • 2 hours SBIRT (screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment for substance use disorder - one-time requirement, must complete by 2025 renewal period for existing licensees)

Reporting: Self-certification at biennial renewal

Official Website ↗

DO physicians

Nevada State Board of Osteopathic Medicine

3-5 business days for general inquiries

Time To Approval
6-10 weeks
Total Cost Range
$500-$850
Application Fee
$500
State Specific Exam Required
No
Reciprocal Licensing
Yes
Cme Requirements
40 hours ANNUALLY (per year)
License Renewal Period
1
Renewal Cost
$350 annual (transitioning to $700 biennial in 2026)
Renewal Deadline
Currently annual; transitioning to December 31 even-numbered years starting 2026
Late Fee
Contact board for late fee information
Note
DO physicians: Currently ANNUAL (1-year) renewal cycle with 40 hours CME per year. AB 56 (2025) increases CME from 35 to 40 hours annually and transitions to biennial renewal starting 2026. Application $500, renewal currently $350/year (becoming $700/2 years in 2026). CME: 40 hours/year with 10 Category 1-A, 2 hours controlled substances/opioids/addiction, 2 hours suicide prevention (every 4 years), 2 hours ethics, 2 hours cultural competency.

CME details

40 hours per 1 year (transitioning to 2 years in 2026)

Total Required
40 hours per year (increased from 35 hours by AB 56 in 2025)
Category1A
Minimum 10 hours must be Category 1-A
  • 2 hours on misuse and abuse of controlled substances, prescribing of opioids, or addiction (every renewal)
  • 2 hours suicide detection, intervention, and prevention (every 4 years)
  • 2 hours ethics (every renewal)
  • 2 hours pain management and addiction care or SBIRT (every renewal)
  • 2 hours cultural competency (every renewal)
  • NOTE: AB 56 (2025) increased total requirement from 35 to 40 hours annually
  • NOTE: Starting 2026, licenses will renew biennially instead of annually

Reporting: Self-certification at annual renewal (transitioning to biennial in 2026)

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 40 hours CME per cycle (all Category 1)
  • Both require 2 hours ethics/pain management/addiction care
  • Both require 2 hours suicide prevention (initial + every 4 years)
  • Both require 4 hours bioterrorism (one-time, within 2 years of initial licensure)
  • Both require 2 hours SBIRT (substance use disorder screening, one-time)
  • Both require USMLE/COMLEX passage within 7 years

Key differences

  • CRITICAL: MD board has BIENNIAL (2-year) renewal cycle; DO board has ANNUAL (1-year) renewal cycle
  • MD board application fee: $300; DO board application fee: $500
  • MD board renewal fee: $200 biennial; DO board renewal fee: $350 annual (transitioning to $700 biennial in 2026)
  • MD board CME: 40 hours per 2-year cycle; DO board CME: 40 hours per 1-year cycle (increasing compliance burden)
  • DO board is transitioning from annual to biennial renewals starting 2026 per AB 56
  • Different board contact information and websites
  • Different governing statutes (NRS 630 for MD, NRS 633 for DO)

Healthcare market

Nevada Healthcare Market

Key market data for physicians considering Nevada.

Healthcare Market

$32 billion (estimated 2024)

Physician Demand

Very High

Primary Care Avg.

$265,000

Unique Opportunities in Nevada

  • Severe physician shortage - one of the worst in the nation
  • No state income tax
  • Growing population driving healthcare demand
  • Las Vegas medical tourism market
  • Proximity to California for dual licensure
  • Rural Nevada has critical shortage areas

Application sequence

Nevada Licensing Timeline

Typical timeline: 6-10 weeks. Here's what to expect.

  1. 1

    Submit Online Application

    Complete application through appropriate board's online portal (MD: medboard.nv.gov, DO: bom.nv.gov).

    1-2 days
  2. 2

    Pay Application Fee

    Submit application fee payment (MD: $300, DO: $500).

    Immediate
  3. 3

    Complete Fingerprinting

    Submit fingerprints for FBI background check.

    2-4 weeks
  4. 4

    Credential Verification

    Board verifies medical school, training, and other licenses.

    3-6 weeks
  5. 5

    Board Review and Approval

    Complete application reviewed; license issued upon approval by respective board.

    2-4 weeks

Application path

Nevada License Requirements

Complete requirements for your NV medical license.

Medical Education

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

  • Official transcripts required; primary source verification

Postgraduate Training

Minimum 2 year(s) required

  • Minimum 24 months of ACGME-accredited (or AOA-accredited for DO board) postgraduate training

Licensing Exams

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

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

Background Check

Fingerprinting required

  • FBI fingerprint background check required for both boards

Professional References

3 references required

  • Licensed physicians with direct knowledge of clinical competence
  • Program directors

Practice considerations

Practicing in Nevada

What to expect when practicing medicine in Nevada.

Specialties in Demand

Concentrated in Las Vegas and Reno metros; vast rural areas severely underserved

  • Primary Care
  • Psychiatry
  • OB/GYN
  • General Surgery
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Internal Medicine

Compensation

Above national average

  • Primary Care: $265,000
  • Specialist: $395,000

Cost of Living

103.5 (3.5% above national average)

  • Housing: Las Vegas median $420,000; Reno median $500,000
  • State Tax: No state income tax

Major Markets

Major metropolitan practice markets.

  • Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise (2.3M)
  • Reno-Sparks (500K)

Shortage Areas

Areas with documented physician demand.

  • Rural Nevada (nearly all counties)
  • North Las Vegas
  • Parts of Reno metro
  • Elko area

Major Healthcare Systems

Selected systems in the frozen state resource.

  • HCA Healthcare Nevada
  • Renown Health
  • Dignity Health St. Rose Dominican

Avoid delays

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

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

Applying to Wrong Board

Nevada 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 Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners (medboard.nv.gov). DO graduates apply to Nevada State Board of Osteopathic Medicine (bom.nv.gov). Different websites, fees, and renewal cycles.

Missing Annual DO Renewals

DO board requires ANNUAL renewal (every year) while MD board renews biennially (every 2 years). DO physicians accustomed to biennial renewals in other states may miss Nevada's annual deadline.

Solution: DO physicians: Mark your calendar for ANNUAL renewal and 40 hours CME per year. MD physicians: Biennial renewal every 2 years by June 30 odd-numbered years. NOTE: DO board transitioning to biennial in 2026.

CME Compliance - Annual vs Biennial

DO physicians must complete 40 hours EVERY YEAR (until 2026), while MD physicians complete 40 hours every 2 years. DO physicians may underestimate the annual compliance burden.

Solution: MD: 40 hours per 2-year cycle. DO: 40 hours ANNUALLY (doubled workload). Track special topics: ethics, suicide prevention, bioterrorism, SBIRT. DO physicians should prepare for biennial transition in 2026.

7-Year USMLE Time Limit

Nevada's stricter timeline catches physicians who took extended breaks. Both boards enforce this requirement.

Solution: Verify exam dates before applying; may need to retake if expired

Common questions

Nevada Licensing FAQ

Common questions about getting licensed in Nevada.

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

MD (allopathic) physicians apply to the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners (medboard.nv.gov). Application fee is $300, biennial renewal is $200 every 2 years by June 30 of odd-numbered years. You'll need 40 CME hours per 2-year cycle (all Category 1).

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

DO (osteopathic) physicians apply to the Nevada State Board of Osteopathic Medicine (bom.nv.gov). Application fee is $500, currently ANNUAL renewal of $350 every year. You'll need 40 CME hours ANNUALLY (10 Category 1-A). NOTE: AB 56 (2025) transitions DO licenses to biennial renewal starting 2026 with $700 biennial fee.

How long does Nevada medical licensure take?

Typical timeline is 6-10 weeks for both MD and DO boards. IMLC pathway may be faster (both boards participate).

Why does Nevada DO board require annual renewal while MD board is biennial?

Nevada DO board currently requires ANNUAL (yearly) renewal while MD board renews biennially (every 2 years). This means DO physicians must renew more frequently and complete 40 CME hours every single year (vs MD physicians who complete 40 hours every 2 years). However, AB 56 (2025) transitions DO licenses to biennial renewal starting 2026.

What are Nevada's CME requirements?

MD Board: 40 hours per 2-year cycle (all Category 1, with 20 in scope of practice). DO Board: 40 hours ANNUALLY (10 Category 1-A). Both require: 2 hours ethics/pain/addiction, 2 hours suicide prevention (every 4 years), 4 hours bioterrorism (one-time), 2 hours SBIRT (one-time). DO board transitions to biennial in 2026.

Does Nevada have state income tax?

No, Nevada has no state income tax, making it attractive for physicians regardless of MD or DO board.

Is Nevada in the IMLC?

Yes, Nevada joined the IMLC in 2017. Both MD and DO boards participate, allowing expedited licensing for eligible physicians.

Can California physicians easily get Nevada licensure?

Nevada is popular for California physicians due to IMLC, no state income tax, and proximity. Both MD and DO physicians can use IMLC if eligible.

Is there a physician shortage in Nevada?

Yes, Nevada has one of the worst physician shortages in the nation, creating strong demand for both MD and DO physicians.

What is AB 56 and how does it affect DO licensees?

AB 56 (signed May 2025) increases DO CME requirements from 35 to 40 hours annually and transitions DO licenses from annual to biennial renewal starting 2026. Renewal fee will change from $350/year to $700/2 years. This aligns DO renewal cycles more closely with MD board (though MD renewal remains $200/2 years).

Related states

Also Considering These States?

Many providers licensed in Nevada also practice in these states.

California License

Neighboring state; many CA physicians maintain NV license; proximity to LA

View state guide

Arizona License

Neighboring state; similar desert climate; IMLC member

View state guide

Utah License

Neighboring state; IMLC member

View state guide

Oklahoma License

Also has separate MD/DO boards; IMLC member; comparison state

View state guide

Pennsylvania License

Also has separate MD/DO boards; IMLC member; comparison state

View state guide

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