International Med Ed

International Medical Graduates (IMG) toolkit: State medical licensure

Find out the details of state medical licensure requirements in the U.S.

Updated | 7 Min Read

State licensure requirements are designed to provide that graduates of foreign medical schools meet the same requirements to obtain a medical license as graduates of an accredited United States or Canadian medical schools.

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The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) offers a reference on the pathway to medical licensure in the U.S. and related definitions (PDF). Visit the FSMB state licensure page to find specific licensure requirements by state.

State medical licensure in the U.S. for IMG physicians

Many international medical graduate (IMG) physicians believe that once they pass the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) exams and obtain a residency in the U.S. they automatically receive a license to practice medicine in any state in the U.S. While that is true for the vast majority of physicians, there are many nuances and other issues which will determine the availability of an unlimited license to practice medicine in the U.S.

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Members, please log in to view the International Medical Graduates (IMG) Toolkit.

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Additional resources for IMGs

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