What Is the Connecticut M.D. License and How to Get One?

If you’ve graduated from med school and are looking forward to getting your practice license, you’re in the right place.

This guide shows you everything you need to know to get your Connecticut M.D. license, from start to finish.

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Key Takeaways

• The Connecticut M.D. license requires medical graduation, residency, and passing specific exams.
• Exams include the USMLE, LMCC, or COMLEX for osteopathic medicine licensure.
• The application process includes document submission and a $565 fee, taking 3-4 weeks.
• License renewal requires 50 CME hours every two years and an annual renewal fee.

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What Is the Connecticut M.D. License?

The Connecticut medical license is a professional license granted to physicians who meet the state’s specific requirements to practice medicine within its borders.

The license acts as a statement from the state that the physician has the necessary education, training, and qualifications to provide medical care in Connecticut.

It’s issued by the state’s Department of Public Health and is required for all physicians and locum tenens who wish to practice medicine legally.

What Do You Need to Obtain an M.D. License in Connecticut?

There are three primary requirements to become a licensed physician in Connecticut:

Graduation

The primary degree you’ll need is your M.D. or D.O. degree, which you get from a medical school.

The school itself must be accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) or the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).

Finishing Post Graduate Clinical Training

You need a minimum of two years of postgraduate clinical training. Once again, the training must be accredited by the AOA or the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

Passing the Examination

There are several exams you can complete before licensure eligibility:

• The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
• Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC)
• The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME)

Note: Before the USMLE, the Federation Licensing Examination (FLEX) was used to evaluate medical competency for licensure, but it was discontinued in 1994. The National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) examination was also phased out in the 1990s.

Related: How to Get Your License from the Wyoming Medical Board

How to Obtain Your Connecticut M.D. License

We provided a general idea of how to be eligible for the license, but now, we’ll move on to a step-by-step guide to the entire medical licensing process:

We’ll assume that you’ve already completed your med school. Here’s what to do next:

Step 1: Start Your Post Graduate Training

The first step is to immediately start post-graduate training, which is also known as medical residency. The point is to provide newly graduated doctors with hands-on experience in their chosen specialty under the supervision of other experienced physicians.

You have to find the proper CME course, enroll, and preferably finish the whole residency program.

Residency programs often last from three to seven years, depending on the specialty. The state of Connecticut requires only two, but completing the program in its entirety will enrich your information and provide valuable networking.

Step 2: Pass the Examination

We mentioned three examples of examinations that you need to pass to obtain your license. Here’s a deeper look into each:

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)

The USMLE is a 3-step examination designed to assess a physician’s ability to effectively treat patients. It includes three steps:

• Step 1: This step tests the knowledge of basic sciences relevant to medicine.
• Step 2: This one focuses on clinical knowledge (until 2021, it used to focus on clinical skills as well).
• Step 3: The last step evaluates the ability to practice medicine unsupervised.

Note: All steps must be passed to qualify for the licensure.

Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC)

The LMCC is a qualification that allows physicians to practice medicine in Canada, but it’s also accepted in Connecticut as long as it meets the state’s requirements for medical education and residency.

The examination consists of two parts:

• MCCQE Part I: This is a written test that covers medical knowledge and problem-solving.
• MCCQE Part II: This is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) testing clinical skills.

The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME)

Those who need to practice osteopathic medicine must pass the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA). It’s a 3-level examination that assesses the medical knowledge and skills specific to osteopathic medicine.

• Level 1: This level assesses basic medical knowledge.
• Level 2: This one is divided into cognitive evaluation (CE) and performance evaluation (PE). It focuses on clinical knowledge.
• Level 3: This level tests the ability of the physician to provide unsupervised osteopathic medical care.

Step 3: Prepare the Required Documents

Upon passing the test, you’ll need to prepare the following documents for your Public Health Physician Licensure application:

• The medical education transcript that confirms your M.D. or D.O. degree.
• The post-graduate residency verification that proves you completed at least two years of residency training.
• An official transcript of your examination score.
• If applicable, verifications of any other state licenses you have, even if they’re expired.

Step 4: Apply for Your M.D. License

Go to Connecticut’s Official State Website and navigate your way to the Department of Public Health. You’ll need to register an account if you don’t have one. If you do, log in through here.

Once you are in, you can follow the page’s instructions for entering your information, along with copies of the required documents.

The initial application fee is a non-refundable $565 (which includes a $4.75 fee for the National Practitioner Data Bank query). For future renewals, that number will increase to $575.

Note: The fees are valid as of the time of writing this in September 2024. Fee changes are usually minor, but you can always track them through the official Physician Licensure Page.

Step 5: Wait for Your License

The Connecticut Department of Public Health will review your application and send you an email once it’s logged into their system.

The review process takes 3–4 weeks, assuming that all documentation is clear and error-free. Regularly check your email throughout this period, as the department may request further classification.

Once the reviewing process is finished, the licensing process starts, which takes 75–115 days if there are issues like malpractice claims and/or disciplinary actions.

Related: How to Get a Medical License in Mississippi

How to Maintain Your M.D. License In Connecticut

Getting your M.D. license doesn’t guarantee that you’ll keep it forever. You’ll need to renew it periodically and continue your education. Let’s elaborate:

Renewing your M.D. License

Most licenses expire in the first birth month following issuance, and renewals are due every year thereafter. Fortunately, the renewal process can be easily done online without a hassle.

You’ll receive a 60-day notice before the expiration date and another note 30 days after the expiration date.

There’s a grace period of 90 days after the license expiration date, during which you can continue practicing and renew the license without a penalty.

However, after 91 days, the license will become void, which means you’re no longer allowed to practice, plus you’ll subject yourself to late fees.

Note: Physicians on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces may request a waiver for the renewal fee as long as they provide the necessary documentation from their commanding officer.

Continuing Your Education

You must complete a minimum of 50 contact hours of qualifying medical education (CME) every two years. A single contact hour is defined as at least 50 minutes of continuing education activity.

These activities count only when they are related to your practice and meet the professional needs required to serve public health needs.

Also, every six years, you must complete at least one hour on each of the following topics:

Lastly, these CME activities should be approved by official organizations, such as the American Medical Association (AMA) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

Grow More With Physicians Thrive

Getting your license is the first step in your long-term career as a physician. However, you won’t succeed as a physician unless you play your cards right. Without trial and error, this can be difficult.

That’s why Physicians Thrive exists. We’re a group of doctors with decades of experience in everything you’re expected to go through in your career.

We can help you make the best decisions and take all the proper steps in your career. The first step? Contact us. We’ll handle it afterward.