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Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania Medical License

Get licensed to practice medicine in Pennsylvania. 5th largest state by population. IMLC member state for expedited licensure.

Population
12,961,683
Difficulty
Medium
  • IMLC Compact member (joined 2017)
  • Telehealth: Allowed
  • CME: 100 hours per 2-year cycle (20 Category 1)

Last updated 2025-12-30 · verified

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MD board

Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine

3-5 business days for general inquiries

Official Website ↗

Quick answer

Quick Answer: Pennsylvania Medical License

Time to License
8-12 weeks
Total Cost
$35-$500
CME Requirements
100 hours per 2-year cycle (20 Category 1)
IMLC Compact
Yes - expedited licensing available

Difficulty: Medium Telehealth: Allowed

Board-specific requirements

Pennsylvania MD and DO Board Details

Pennsylvania maintains separate licensing boards for MD (allopathic) and DO (osteopathic) physicians. Both boards have identical CME requirements (100 hours/2 years) but different renewal fees and deadlines.

MD physicians

Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine

3-5 business days for general inquiries

Time To Approval
8-12 weeks (standard), 4-6 weeks (IMLC)
Total Cost Range
$35-$500
Application Fee
$35 (domestic), $85 (IMG)
State Specific Exam Required
No
Reciprocal Licensing
Yes
Cme Requirements
100 hours per 2-year cycle (20 Category 1)
License Renewal Period
2
Renewal Cost
$360
Renewal Deadline
December 31 of even-numbered years
Late Fee
Contact board for late fee information
Note
MD physicians: Application $35 (domestic)/$85 (IMG) per PA State Board of Medicine. Renewal $360 biennially by December 31 (even years). CME: 100 hours/2 years with 20 Category 1, 12 patient safety, 2 child abuse, 2 pain management + 2 prescribing.

CME details

100 hours per 2 years

Total Required
100 hours per 2-year cycle
Category1
Minimum 20 hours must be AMA PRA Category 1
  • 12 hours patient safety or risk management (Category 1 or 2)
  • 2 hours child abuse recognition and reporting
  • 2 hours pain management or identification of addiction (within first 12 months of initial licensure)
  • 2 hours prescribing practices (subsequent renewals)
  • Remaining hours can be Category 1 or 2

Reporting: Self-certification upon renewal

Official Website ↗

DO physicians

Pennsylvania State Board of Osteopathic Medicine

3-5 business days for general inquiries

Time To Approval
8-12 weeks (standard), 4-6 weeks (IMLC)
Total Cost Range
$35-$550
Application Fee
$35 (domestic), $85 (IMG)
State Specific Exam Required
No
Reciprocal Licensing
Yes
Cme Requirements
100 hours per 2-year cycle (20 Category 1-A)
License Renewal Period
2
Renewal Cost
$450
Renewal Deadline
October 31
Late Fee
Contact board for late fee information
Note
DO physicians: Application $35 (domestic)/$85 (IMG) per PA State Board of Osteopathic Medicine. Renewal $450 biennially by October 31. CME: 100 hours/2 years with 20 Category 1-A, 12 patient safety, 2 child abuse, 2 pain management + 2 prescribing.

CME details

100 hours per 2 years

Total Required
100 hours per 2-year cycle
Category1
Minimum 20 hours must be Category 1-A
  • 12 hours patient safety or risk management (Category 1 or 2)
  • 2 hours child abuse recognition and reporting
  • 2 hours pain management or identification of addiction (within first 12 months of initial licensure)
  • 2 hours prescribing practices (subsequent renewals)
  • Remaining hours can be Category 1 or 2

Reporting: Self-certification upon renewal

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 100 CME hours per 2-year cycle
  • Both require same special CME: 12 hours patient safety, 2 hours child abuse, 2 hours pain management + 2 hours prescribing
  • Both have same low application fees ($35 domestic, $85 IMG)

Key differences

  • Different renewal deadlines: MD (December 31 even years) vs DO (October 31)
  • Different renewal fees: MD $360 vs DO $450
  • Different CME category requirements: MD (20 hours Category 1) vs DO (20 hours Category 1-A)
  • Different board contact information and websites
  • Different governing statutes and regulations

Healthcare market

Pennsylvania Healthcare Market

Key market data for physicians considering Pennsylvania.

Healthcare Market

$120+ billion annually

Physician Demand

High

Primary Care Avg.

$240,000

Unique Opportunities in Pennsylvania

  • 5th largest state by population - major healthcare market
  • Separate MD and DO licensing boards with different renewal schedules
  • Identical CME requirements (100 hours/2 years) for both boards
  • Low application fees ($35 domestic, $85 IMG) for both boards
  • Major academic medical centers (Penn, UPMC, Jefferson)
  • Philadelphia and Pittsburgh major healthcare hubs

Application path

Pennsylvania License Requirements

Complete requirements for your PA 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 through FCVS or direct from medical school

Postgraduate Training

Minimum 1 year(s) required

  • MD Board: Minimum of 1 year ACGME-accredited training. DO Board: Minimum of 1 year ACGME or AOA-accredited training

Licensing Exams

MD Board: Must pass USMLE Steps 1, 2 CK, and 3

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

Background Check

Fingerprinting required

  • FBI fingerprint background check required for both boards

Professional References

3 references required

  • Licensed physicians
  • Residency program directors

Avoid delays

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

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

Applying to Wrong Board

Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine. DO graduates apply to Pennsylvania State Board of Osteopathic Medicine. Different websites and contact information.

Missing Different Renewal Deadlines

MD board renews December 31 (even years), DO board renews October 31. Physicians may miss the earlier DO deadline.

Solution: MD physicians: Renew by December 31 of even-numbered years. DO physicians: Renew by October 31. Set reminders well in advance.

CME Category Confusion

MD board requires 20 hours Category 1, DO board requires 20 hours Category 1-A. Similar but different categories.

Solution: MD physicians: Track 20 Category 1 hours. DO physicians: Track 20 Category 1-A hours. Both need 12 patient safety, 2 child abuse, 2 pain + 2 prescribing.

Complex CME Requirements

Pennsylvania has one of the most complex CME structures: 100 total hours with multiple mandatory topics.

Solution: Track all requirements: 20 Category 1 (or 1-A for DO), 12 patient safety, 2 child abuse, 2 pain management + 2 prescribing practices.

Common questions

Pennsylvania Licensing FAQ

Common questions about getting licensed in Pennsylvania.

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

MD (allopathic) physicians apply to the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine (pa.gov/agencies/dos/boards-commissions/medicine). Application fee is $35 (domestic)/$85 (IMG), biennial renewal is $360 by December 31 of even-numbered years. You'll need 100 CME hours per 2-year cycle with 20 Category 1.

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

DO (osteopathic) physicians apply to the Pennsylvania State Board of Osteopathic Medicine (pa.gov/agencies/dos/boards-commissions/osteopathic-medicine). Application fee is $35 (domestic)/$85 (IMG), biennial renewal is $450 by October 31. You'll need 100 CME hours per 2-year cycle with 20 Category 1-A.

How long does it take to get a Pennsylvania medical license?

Both MD and DO boards: 8-12 weeks standard processing, 4-6 weeks via IMLC. Both boards joined IMLC in 2017. Pennsylvania processes applications thoroughly which takes longer than some states.

Is Pennsylvania part of the IMLC?

Yes! Both the MD and DO boards joined IMLC in 2017. Eligible physicians can use the expedited pathway regardless of degree type.

What are Pennsylvania's CME requirements?

Both MD and DO physicians: 100 hours per 2-year cycle - one of the highest in the nation. MD: 20 hours Category 1. DO: 20 hours Category 1-A. Both require: 12 hours patient safety/risk management, 2 hours child abuse, 2 hours pain management (initial), 2 hours prescribing (renewal).

What is the total cost for a Pennsylvania medical license?

MD Board: $35 application (domestic), $85 (IMG) + $360 biennial renewal. DO Board: $35 application (domestic), $85 (IMG) + $450 biennial renewal. Pennsylvania has among the lowest application fees in the nation.

Why does Pennsylvania have two separate medical boards?

Pennsylvania is one of 12 states that maintains separate regulatory boards for allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) physicians. Both boards operate under the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs. Both have equivalent licensing authority.

Why are the renewal fees different for MD and DO licenses?

The DO board renewal fee ($450) is higher than the MD board ($360), likely reflecting different board operating costs and sizes. However, both boards have the same low application fees ($35/$85).

Related states

Also Considering These States?

Many providers licensed in Pennsylvania also practice in these states.

New Jersey License

Neighboring state; many physicians licensed in both; major healthcare market

View state guide

New York License

Neighboring state; IMLC member; major academic medical centers

View state guide

Ohio License

Neighboring state; IMLC member; similar healthcare market

View state guide

Oklahoma License

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

View state guide

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