Licensure information for international medical graduates

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Every medical graduate must apply for a license in the state(s) in which they intend to practice. Generally, medical graduates must complete 1–3 years of residency or years of practice outside of the United States or Canada before applying for a license. 

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While licensure requirements for domestic and international medical graduates differ between the states, all states require proof of education, training and licensure exam completion.

Physicians looking to relocate should contact the licensing board of the state they are moving to and ask for a copy of its current licensing requirements and the time it takes to process a licensure application.

This will provide the physician with a time frame of when to consider closing an existing practice and help planning a move.

Latest on state medical licensure requirements

Review state medical licensure requirements and statistics to find the most current information on medical licensure requirements and statistics in the United States.

Navigate practicing medicine in the U.S. for IMGs

AMA members get exclusive access to curated CME track designed to help new international medical graduates (IMGs) find a professional footing in the United States.

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