Physicians

Certification or Licensing

After receiving the M.D. or D.O. degree, the new physician is required to take an examination to be licensed to practice. Every state requires such an examination. It is conducted through the board of medical examiners in each state. Some states have reciprocity agreements with other states so that a physician licensed in one state may be automatically licensed in another without being required to pass another examination. Find out about licensing procedures before planning to move.

Many physicians receive board certification. For physicians specializing in internal medicine, the American Board of Internal Medicine is a physician-led nonprofit, independent evaluation organization that certifies about one of every four physicians in the United States, with these physicians practicing in more than 20 subspecialties of internal medicine, including cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology, infectious disease, and pulmonary disease.