Physician

 

*** Please visit https://gateway.medicalboard.georgia.gov/ to register with our new licensing gateway in order to access your license page. Your old credentials will not work, you must register first. Here is an instruction guide:

How to complete fingerprint background check for Ga applicants as of May, 25, 2026:

Important Reminders Before We Begin:

To Apply, Click Here: https://gateway.medicalboard.georgia.gov/

 

Primary License Types:

Physician - Full License

  • Licensing Steps

    The application is a two-stage process. Stage 1 is completed by the applicant in the licensure gateway portal. Stage 2 documents must be sent directly by third parties to NextRequest — the applicant cannot submit these themselves.

           Stage 1 — Complete in the Licensure Gateway:

    1. Register at gateway.medicalboard.georgia.gov and start a new Physician application.
    2. Pay the application fee at checkout by credit/debit card. The total = Board fee + 3.15% card processing fee (non-refundable). Checks and money orders are not accepted.
    3. Upload all required documents to your portal (see Required Documentation below).
    4. Complete a criminal background check via FBI-compliant fingerprint/biometric results. A Background Check tab will appear in your application — GCMB staff will provide instructions.

    5. Monitor your portal and email for any outstanding items.

      Stage 2 — Third parties submit to NextRequest (applicant cannot submit these):

    6. 3 Reference Forms — submitted by physicians who know you for at least 6 months, from an institutional email address.
    7. Certification of Postgraduate Training — submitted by your GME program.
    8. Official Medical School Transcript — submitted by your school (with clear seals; non-English transcripts require certified translation).
    9. USMLE/FLEX/NBME Score Transcripts — request release via FSMB (fsmb.org/transcripts).
    10. COMLEX Score Transcript — via NBOME (may be sent to NextRequest if applicant provides NBOME with the portal info).
    11. Official License Verification(s) — required for every healthcare license ever held outside Georgia. Sent directly by each state board or via VeriDoc. Kentucky exception: KY verifications may be forwarded by the applicant.
    12. ECFMG Certification (if applicable for foreign medical school graduates) — may be part of FCVS profile.
  • Required Documentation
    • (Upload by applicant to the Licensure Gateway portal)
    • Affidavit of Applicant — built into the portal application; attach a current color passport photo; applicant and notary signature dates must be identical; do not use whiteout or strikeouts. Georgia requires in-person notarization (remote notarization accepted if compliant with the state where performed).
    • Citizenship Affidavit + Secure ID — only required for non-U.S. citizens; upload qualified-alien documents (Green Card, SEVIS, etc.). GCMB verifies through DHS-USCIS SAVE.
    • Malpractice Questionnaire — built into the portal; complete all sections; mark "None" if no cases; sign and date (notarization not required). If named in a case: provide full case details, personal narrative, plaintiff's complaint, and legal dispositions — compiled into one file per case.
    • CV / Resume — chronological record of education, training, and employment; explain all date gaps; include date of last clinical practice.
    • NPDB Self-Query — mandatory if you have ever held any professional license. Not required for first-time applicants with no prior license.
    • Military Discharge DD-214 (if applicable) — upload DD-214 Report of Separation, not the discharge certificate.
    • Specific Power of Attorney (optional) — only required if a third party (hospital, recruiter, employer, credentialing agency) will communicate with the Board on your behalf. Must be notarized.
  • Timelines & Conditions
    • Applications must be completed within 360 days of starting or may be closed.
    • Training requirements: U.S. board-approved medical schools — at least 1 year of ACGME-accredited training required. International / non-approved medical schools — at least 3 years of ACGME-accredited training required.
    • Register with Georgia PDMP within 30 days of initial licensure if you hold a DEA registration.
    • License renews biennially by the last day of your birth month.
    • Cannot practice medicine after the expiration date of the license.
    • All uploaded PDFs must be 8½ × 11″, clear, and labeled with your full name.
  • Forms & Links

    Fees: Initial $500 | Renewal $230 | Late Renewal $455 | Reinstatement (lapsed/revoked) $500 | Reinstatement (inactive only) $300

Physician - Institutional License

  • Licensing Steps

    Institutional license applications follow the same two-stage process as a Full Physician License. In addition to standard requirements, institutional documents must be submitted (see Required Documentation). These applications must be reviewed and approved by the Board before a license is issued. The Board meets on the first Thursday of each month - please plan accordingly.

    1. Register at gateway.medicalboard.georgia.gov and start an Institutional Physician application.
    2. Pay the application fee at checkout by credit/debit card.
    3. Upload all required documents, including the institutional documents provided by GCMB.
    4. Third parties submit training verification, transcripts, and license verifications to NextRequest (same as full license process).
    5. Application is reviewed at the next scheduled Board meeting.
  • Required Documentation

    Same base documentation as a Full Physician License, plus:

  • Timelines & Conditions
    • Applications must be reviewed and approved by the Board before the license is issued.
    • The Board meets on the first Thursday of each month - approval cannot occur outside of a scheduled meeting.
    • All standard physician license conditions apply once issued.
    • License renews biennially by the last day of your birth month.
  • Forms & Links

    Fees: Initial $500 | Renewal $230 | Late Renewal $455

Physician - Telemedicine License

  • Licensing Steps

    Must meet all the same base requirements as a Full Physician License (Rule 360-2-.01) and hold a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in another state. The application follows the same two-stage structure as the Full License.

    1. Confirm you hold a full and unrestricted license in another state.
    2. Register at gateway.medicalboard.georgia.gov and complete the Telemedicine license application.
    3. Upload all required documents (same base requirements as full license).
    4. Issuance is at the Board's discretion. Denial is not a contested case, but the applicant may appear before the Board.
    5. Notify the Board immediately if any other state restricts or revokes your license.

    Important - DEA Note: The DEA considers a telemedicine license a restricted license. Physicians who also need DEA authorization should consider applying for the full Georgia license instead — a full license still permits telemedicine practice.

    Upgrade Path: To convert a telemedicine license to a full Georgia license, log into your online profile, select the conversion option, and pay the $200 upgrade fee.

  • Required Documentation

    Same base documentation as Full License, plus:

    • Evidence of a full and unrestricted license in another state (verified through official license verification).
    • Must notify the Board of any restrictions or revocations in other states — this is an ongoing obligation after licensure.
  • Timelines & Conditions
    • License is limited to telemedicine only - cannot be used to physically practice medicine in Georgia on a Georgia patient, except in an emergency.
    • Must maintain patient records per Rule 360-3-.02(16).
    • Must adhere to Rule 360-3-.07.
    • Must notify the Board of any restrictions or revocations by another state licensing board.
    • Renews biennially on the same schedule as a full license.
    • CME requirements apply on renewal.
  • Forms & Links

    Fees: Initial $500 | Renewal $230 | Late Renewal $455 | Reinstatement $500 | Upgrade to Full License $200

Physician - Administrative Medical License

  • Licensing Steps

    Must meet all the same requirements as a Full Physician License (Rule 360-2-.01) except does not need to show recent clinical practice. This license is for physicians in non-clinical administrative roles such as insurance review, utilization review, or executive medical administration. These applications must be reviewed and approved by the Board before a license is issued.

    1. Register at gateway.medicalboard.georgia.gov and start an Administrative Medicine application.
    2. Upload all required documentation (same base as full license - no recent clinical practice requirement).
    3. Confirm your role is non-clinical administrative medicine.
    4. Application is reviewed at the next scheduled Board meeting.

    Upgrade Path: To convert an administrative license to a full Georgia license, log into your online profile, select the conversion option, and pay the $200 upgrade fee.

  • Required Documentation

    Same as Full License, with the exception that recent clinical practice documentation is not required.

  • Timelines & Conditions
    • Cannot perform any surgical procedure, write prescriptions, or practice any clinical medicine.
    • Does not permit direct patient care of any kind.
    • Renews biennially; CME requirements apply on renewal.
    • Physicians without more than 30 months without clinical practice are not required to show recent clinical activity.
    • Physicians who previously had a Board order restricting them to administrative medicine may convert to this license type and have the order terminated (Rule 360-2-.15(6)).
    • Must notify the Board of any disciplinary actions in other jurisdictions.
  • Forms & Links

    Fees: Initial $500 | Renewal $230 | Late Renewal $455 | Reinstatement $500 | Upgrade to Full License $200

 

Training & Education

Resident Training Permit

Educational Training Permit

  • Licensing Steps

    The Educational Training Certificate is typically used for conferences and training programs. It is valid for up to 3 months.

    1. Submit proof of a current, active license in another jurisdiction.
    2. Submit an NPDB (National Practitioner Data Bank) report.
    3. Submit information about the training program, including: a copy of the agenda, location, and sponsor name.
    4. Submit application to GCMB via the NextRequest portal.
  • Required Documentation
    • Proof of a current, active medical license in good standing in another jurisdiction
    • NPDB (National Practitioner Data Bank) report
    • Training program documentation: agenda, location, and sponsor name
  • Timelines & Conditions
    • Valid for up to 3 months.
    • Authorization is limited to the specific training program or conference for which it was issued.
    • Cannot be used for general practice in Georgia.
  • Forms & Links

 

Special & Limited Purpose Authorizations

Emergency Practice Permit

  • Licensing Steps

    Authority derives from GCMB Rule 360-2-.13. Issued during events for which the Governor of Georgia has declared a disaster or state of emergency. The Board may waive some standard licensure requirements under these circumstances.

    1. A Governor's declaration of disaster or state of emergency must be in effect.
    2. Confirm you hold an active license in another state.
    3. Apply through the Emergency Practice Permits page on the GCMB website.
    4. Upload an NPDB report and a valid government-issued ID.
    5. Applicant must receive Board approval before practicing under this provision.
  • Required Documentation
    • Active medical license in good standing in another state
    • NPDB (National Practitioner Data Bank) report
    • Valid government-issued ID
  • Timelines & Conditions
    • Only valid during an active Governor's executive order declaring a disaster or state of emergency.
    • Permit is valid for up to 3 months.
    • All applications must comply with O.C.G.A. §§ 43-34-22 and Emergency Rule 360-2-.13.
    • Board must approve the application before the applicant may practice.
  • Forms & Links

Volunteer in Medicine License

  • Licensing Steps

    The Volunteers in Medicine Act allows the Board to issue a special license at no fee to qualifying retired physicians for the sole purpose of providing uncompensated medical services in Georgia through a qualifying non-profit agency or institution.

    1. Confirm eligibility: must hold a license in good standing (or have held one in good standing prior to retirement) in any medical-licensing jurisdiction.
    2. Confirm the agency or institution is non-profit and that no compensation will be received for medical services.
    3. Gather required documentation (see below).
    4. Have your volunteer agency submit a notarized documentation confirming the physician will not receive compensation for medical services.
    5. Submit application to GCMB.
    6. If you change volunteer agencies at any point, notify the Board immediately and have the new agency submit updated documentation. You may not practice until the Board approves the change.
  • Required Documentation
    • Proof of a current license in good standing, or documentation of a license in good standing prior to retirement
    • Documentation of no disciplinary action in any state
    • Copy of medical degree
    • CME hours - 40 hours biennially
    • Documentation from the volunteer agency confirming the physician will not receive compensation for medical services (notarized)
    • Secure and verifiable ID documents
  • Timelines & Conditions
    • No application fee and no renewal fee.
    • License is valid for 2 years, expiring in December.
    • Cannot perform surgery or any surgical procedure.
    • Practice must be through a qualifying non-profit agency or institution.
    • Must notify the Board and obtain approval before changing volunteer agencies.
    • Liability governed by O.C.G.A. § 51-1-19.1.
  • Forms & Links

    Fees: No application fee | No renewal fee

 

License Status & Renewal

Renewal

  • Licensing Steps
    1. Log in at gateway.medicalboard.georgia.gov.
    2. Click the green Physician tab, then the orange "Renewal" button.
    3. Complete the renewal application, including CME compliance questions. Answer accurately - false statements may result in disciplinary action.
    4. Submit the application. GCMB is fully paperless - do not mail forms or checks.
    5. Pay the renewal fee online by credit/debit card (+ 3.15% processing fee, non-refundable).
  • CME Requirements For Renewal
    • 40 hours biennially of Board-approved CME (AMA Category 1, AOA Category 1, AAFP Prescribed, ACOG Cognates Category 1, or ACEP Category 1).
    • Pain clinic physicians without a pain management or palliative medicine certification: additional 20 hours on pain management/palliative medicine per biennium. These 20 hours count toward the 40-hour total.
    • Physicians with an active DEA certificate who prescribe controlled substances: 3 hours of AMA/AOA PRA Category 1 CME on controlled substance prescribing practices. Required only once in a career.
    • All physicians: 2 hours on professional boundaries and physician sexual misconduct. Required only once in a career.
    • CME hours used to satisfy a Board order or deficiency do not count toward renewal hours for the next biennium.
    • You are not required to submit CME documentation with your renewal, but must answer compliance questions on the form. Keep records for 5 years - the Board audits a fixed percentage of renewals.
    • CE Broker is available for free CME tracking (not required, but recommended): cebroker.com/ga/account/basic/
  • Timelines & Conditions
    • License renews biennially by the last day of your birth month.
    • Cannot practice medicine after the expiration date.
    • Renewal notices are sent via email beginning 90 days before expiration and daily until the expiration date - ensure your contact information in the portal is current.
    • Non-U.S. citizens: citizenship/lawful presence must be re-verified at every renewal.
  • Forms & Links

    Fees: Renewal $230 | Late Renewal $455

Reinstatement

  • Licensing Steps

    Reinstatement follows the same two-stage process as a Full Physician License, with the differences noted below. Simple expirations are reviewed and approved by a license technician once the fee is paid and documentation is submitted. Reinstatements following disciplinary action require Board review.

    1. Register / log in at gateway.medicalboard.georgia.gov.
    2. Start a Reinstatement application and pay the reinstatement fee.
    3. Upload all required documentation (see below).
    4. Third parties submit any documentation not previously on file (postgraduate training verification, exam scores, and license verifications do not need to be resubmitted if already provided to GCMB).

    Note on disciplinary reinstatements: If your license was placed on inactive or revoked status due to disciplinary action, your consent order will outline any required waiting period, fines, or conditions. The license must then be reviewed and approved by the Board at its next scheduled meeting.

  • Required Documentation

    You do NOT need to resubmit the following if previously provided to GCMB:

    • Medical school transcript
    • Postgraduate training verification
    • Official exam score reports (USMLE or COMLEX)
    • ECFMG certification (if applicable)

    You DO need to submit:

    • Affidavit of Applicant (current, notarized)
    • Citizenship Affidavit + Secure ID (non-U.S. citizens only)
    • Malpractice Questionnaire (updated)
    • CV / Resume with explanation of any gap in practice
    • NPDB Self-Query
    • 2 Reference Forms (vs. 3 for initial applicants)
    • CME Documentation - scan all into one file; maximum 50 hours submitted (Board will notify if more is needed); must include provider name, program name, hours/CEUs, completion date, and proof of AMA or AOA Category 1 credit
    • License verifications from any states where you held a license after your Georgia license lapsed (if applicable)
  • Timelines & Conditions
    • CME required: 40 hours biennially of Board-approved CME.
    • Applications must be completed within 60 days.
    • Register with Georgia PDMP within 30 days of reinstatement if holding a DEA registration.
    • Disciplinary reinstatements require Board review and approval at a scheduled Board meeting.
  • Forms & Links

    Fees: Reinstatement (lapsed/revoked) $500 | Reinstatement (inactive only) $300

Inactive License Status

  • How to File for Inactive Status

    Placing a license on inactive status:

    1. Download and complete the Inactive Status form.
    2. Submit through the portal and pay the $200 inactive status application fee.

    Reactivating from inactive status: Reactivation follows the same process as a standard reinstatement. The fee is half the standard reinstatement cost, but all reinstatement documentation requirements apply.

    1. Log in at gateway.medicalboard.georgia.gov.
    2. Start a Reinstatement application.
    3. Submit all required reinstatement documentation, including current CME hours.
    4. Pay the reinstatement (inactive only) fee.
  • Required Documentation

    For inactive status application:

    • Completed Inactive Status form

    For reactivation:

    • Same documentation as standard Reinstatement (see Reinstatement section above)
    • CME documentation is required
  • Timelines & Conditions
    • A license on inactive status does not authorize practice in Georgia.
    • Cannot be placed on inactive status during a pending disciplinary investigation.
    • CME is required for reactivation - 40 hours biennially of Board-approved CME.
    • Reactivation is processed as a reinstatement at half the standard reinstatement cost.
  • Forms & Links

    Fees: Inactive Status Application $200 | Reactivation (reinstatement from inactive) $300

 

Forms and Helpful Links

OTHER PHYSICIAN LICENSURE INFORMATION:

For questions, comments,or concerns about your pending application for Physician Licensure, contact us on NextRequest and select the department corresponding to your last name's first alphabetic character:

Contact

Licensure Specialist Chyna Sams

Contact for IMLC Applicants

NextRequest

Contact

Licensure Specialist Katonya Reynolds

Contact for Physician applicants (with last names A - C)

NextRequest

Contact

Licensure Specialist Mr. Chessley Harris

Contact for Physician applicants (with last names D - I and S - Z)

NextRequest

Contact

Licensure Specialist Sandra Fanning

Contact for Physician applicants

NextRequest

Contact

Licensure Specialist Formosa McKelvey

Contact for Physician applicants

NextRequest