Frequently Asked Questions About The Board

  • What is the correct mailing address for the Board, and may I visit its offices?

    The correct mailing address for the Georgia Medical Board is:

    2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE
    East Tower, 11th Floor
    Atlanta, GA 30334
    Email: [email protected]
    Phone: (404) 656-3913

    You may visit the Board’s offices, but it is recommended to make an appointment. While Board meetings and hearings are open to the public, some business is conducted in closed sessions as per state law. Visitors must sign in at the front desk and provide proper identification. Unannounced visitors may not be admitted due to the secure nature of the facility.

     

  • How often does the Georgia Medical Board meet, and are its meetings and hearings open to the public?

    The Georgia Medical Board meets monthly, typically on the first Thursday of each month. While many parts of these meetings, including disciplinary hearings and presentations of settled disciplinary cases, are open to the public, certain portions, such as discussions on investigative matters or pending complaints, are closed. The Board’s meeting schedule, agendas, and hearing dockets are published on their website in accordance with open meeting laws, usually 48 hours before a meeting or hearing.

  • How are Board members chosen, and what is the duration of their service?

    Board members of the Georgia Medical Board are appointed by the Governor of Georgia and confirmed by the State Senate. The Governor directly appoints two public members (Georgia citizens with no ties to medicine), thirteen physician members, and one ex-officio physician assistant member, who is nominated by an independent panel before appointment.

    Each Board member serves a four-year term and continues to serve until their successor is appointed and qualified. Reappointments and new appointments ensure representation from various geographic regions of the state. If a vacancy occurs due to death, resignation, relocation, or other causes, it is filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as regular appointments.

  • What is the Georgia Medical Board, what does it do, and which medical professionals are licensed and regulated by it?

    The Georgia Medical Board consists of 15 members, including eleven physicians, and is responsible for licensing and regulating various medical professionals. Its primary mission is to protect the public by screening candidates for licensure, issuing licenses to qualified professionals, developing rules and guidelines, and disciplining licensees when necessary.

    The Board licenses and regulates medical doctors (MDs), doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs), physician assistants (PAs), anesthesiologist assistants (AAs), certified clinical perfusionists, respiratory care professionals, acupuncturists, orthotists, prosthetists, auricular detoxification specialists, residency training permits, cosmetic laser practitioners, pain management clinics, and medical geneticists. It also approves nurse practitioners’ clinical practice protocols.

    However, the Board does not license or regulate podiatrists, chiropractors, dentists, marriage and family therapists, social workers, professional counselors, physical therapists, registered nurses, or licensed practical nurses. These professions are regulated by the Office of the Secretary of State.

  • Is the Georgia Medical Board part of state government, and does it receive funding from state or local governments?

    Yes, the Georgia Medical Board is an independent state agency and is part of the state government. It receives 100% of its operating budget from the State General Assembly.