In 2021 and 2022, over 71,000 physicians left the workforce, putting a massive strain on the medical system, with Washington DC being one of the hardest-hit metropolitan regions.
If you’re looking to start your career or provide essential care to people in need, Washington DC is a great option. Let’s walk through the health regulation requirements, costs, and licensing process in this article.
Key Takeaways
- Over 71,000 physicians left the workforce, straining Washington DC’s healthcare system.
- U.S. and international applicants have different education and training requirements.
- The licensing process involves online applications, fees, and document submission.
- Applicants must budget for various fees, including exams, applications, and renewals.
Table of Contents
Washington DC Medical License Education and Examination Requirements
Education and examination requirements for a Washington DC medical license differ based on whether you studied within the U.S., outside the U.S., or are applying through the Fifth Pathway.
Educational Requirements for Applicants Educated Within the U.S. Or Canada
Here are the requirements for health professionals who studied within the U.S. or Canada:
- Two years of premedical studies at an accredited institution
- Four years of instruction at a legally chartered and accredited medical school in the U.S. or Canada. The school must be accredited by the AOA, AMA, LCME, or the Canadian equivalent
- Hold a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) or Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree
- Two years of postgraduate clinical training at an AOA- or ACGME-accredited program in the U.S. or Canada. Applicants who graduated before January 1, 1990, or those using USMLE Step 3 for their licensure application need one year of postgraduate training
- Certified transcripts from both premedical and medical education institutions
- No convictions for crimes of moral turpitude during the criminal background check (which questions your fitness to practice medicine)
Requirements for Applicants Educated Outside the U.S. Or Canada
If you completed your medical education outside the U.S. or Canada, you’ll need to meet the following requirements to apply for a medical license in Washington DC:
- Two years of education at the post-secondary level, with required subjects including biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics
- Documentation showing you have met all the educational and training standards required to practice medicine in the country of your education
- Three years of postgraduate education in an ACGME-, LMCC-, or AOA-accredited program
- Valid ECFMG certification
- Certified transcripts from your premedical and medical institutions
If your documents are in a language other than English, they must be translated and notarized before submission to the Board.
Educational Requirements for Fifth Pathway Applicants
Fifth Pathway applicants looking to get a Washington DC medical license must:
- Be a U.S. resident
- Have completed education at a medical school that is listed in WHO’s directory
- Have passed the FMGEMS
- Have a valid Fifth Pathway program certificate
- Have completed two years of individually supervised clinical training under the direction of an LCME-accredited medical school if graduated after January 1, 1990
If you graduated before January 1, 1990, you have to complete one year of individually supervised clinical training.
Examination Requirements for Medical Licensure in Washington DC
Applicants need to meet the following examination requirements when applying for licensure in Washington DC:
- Pass Steps 1 and 2 before applying for licensure
- Completion of at least one to three years of postgraduate clinical training in an LMCC-, AOA-, or ACGME-accredited program
Physicians can take Step 3 after completing one year of postgraduate training. If applicants fail Step 3 more than three times, they’re required to undergo another year of postgraduate training before retaking the exam. All three steps must be passed within a seven-year timeframe.
Aside from that, physicians applying for licensure in Washington DC can have the Board waive the exam requirement if they meet one of the following requirements:
- Passed the FLEX exam before 1985 in a single sitting
- Passed the FLEX exam after 1985 with fewer than seven attempts
- Passed a national examination, such as the Canadian Medical Council exam or the National Board exam
- Passed a state-certified exam before June 30, 1979, and hold a license from a U.S. jurisdiction
How to Get a Washington DC Medical License?
The DC Board of Medicine licenses applicants using an online system. The application process includes the following steps:
- Sign up to the licensing administration’s online system
- Enter your first and last name, email address, Social Security number (SSN), and date of birth. If you don’t have an SSN, you need to submit a notarized affidavit along with your application and provide your SSN within 90 days
- Select your licensing board, the type of license you’re applying for, and your applicant type
- Enter your professional training and experience since medical school. This should include letters from fellowships, residencies, employing facilities, internships, or employers
- List all schools you’ve attended, beginning with the most recent, and all of your work experience in the five years prior to the application
- Mention all jurisdictions and states in which you have held a medical license and provide verifications
- Answer the screening questions
- Pay the fee and submit your application
Once you’ve submitted your application, make sure you provide all supporting documentation to the Board within 120 days because your documents have to be processed and then forwarded to the health licensing specialist (HLS) for review. Here’s an official checklist you can use to ensure you provide the right documents.
The HLS will evaluate all your documents and check your education and experience before sending your application to the District of Columbia Board of Medicine. After the Board has looked through your application and ensured that it complies with all regulations and rules, you’ll get your license approval.
If the licensing administration is unsatisfied with the application, it may request more information or require an interview to determine whether you’re suitable for licensure. If there are still concerns, your application may be refused.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Washington DC Medical License?
After you submit your application, it typically takes around 12 to 16 weeks for the Board to process it. However, this period can be longer if you’re an international medical graduate or have application specifications that require more attention from the Board.
As of 2024, all new applicants and pre-licensed physicians will have to renew their licenses in the month of their birth.
How Much Does a Washington DC Medical License Cost?
All applicants looking to get licensed in Washington DC have to pay a flat fee of $700 to participate in the IMLC Compact and an application processing fee of $805 when submitting a new application.
They will also have to pay a $35.25 background check fee when applying and a $288 exam fee if they’re taking the license exam. Physicians will have to pay $675 annually to the DC Medical Board to renew their licenses.
What Are the Continuing Education Requirements for Maintaining Washington DC Medical License?
According to the DC Board of Medicine, all medical license holders must complete the following continuing education (CE) requirements to maintain licensure:
| Licensee | Continuing Education Requirements | Other | ||
| Total CE Hours/2 Years | LGBTQ Cultural Competency | Public Health Priority CE | ||
| Physicians (MD/DO) | 50 hours | 2 hours | 5 hours | One pharmacology course |
| Physician Assistants (PA) | 100 hours | 2 hours | 10 hours | Can substitute the 100 hours requirement with NCCPA |
| Naturopathic Physicians (NP) | 30 hours | 2 hours | 3 hours | N/A |
| Surgical Assistants (SA) | 50 hours | 2 hours | 5 hours | Can substitute ABSA or NSAA for 50 CE hours |
| Anesthesiologist Assistants (AA) | NCCAA certification | 2 hours | 5 hours | N/A |
Tips for Physicians Getting Licensed in Washington DC
Now that you know how to get licensed in Washington DC, let’s look at three tips that make the process easier:
1. Prepare Your Documents Early
To get licensed in Washington DC, you need to provide direct primary-source verification of your medical education, residency training, exam scores, and past licenses. This means you’ll have to ask institutions and organizations to provide documentation on your behalf.
Since institutions and organizations often take time to process requests, waiting until the last minute will only delay your application. This means you always want to prepare your documents early.
2. Be Honest With the Board About Any Negative Information
If you have anything in your background that could negatively affect your application, you need to disclose it upfront.
This will help you provide the Board with information about mitigating circumstances—which would potentially prevent your application from being rejected—and showcase your professionalism.
3. Budget for Licensing Fees and Other Costs
The process of getting licensed comes with a lot of application, exam, and background check fees. These expenses add up quickly and might catch you off guard if you don’t budget for them in advance.
It is a good idea to set aside money to cover these upfront costs when they pop up. You also have to factor in moving and living costs in Washington DC, which can get quite steep. This makes budgeting essential if you want to avoid financial stress during this journey.
Plan Your Career Growth With Physicians Thrive
Getting through the health regulation and licensing process in Washington DC can become overwhelming quickly, but with the right preparation, you can stay on top of the requirements and applicable laws to get your application on the right track.
If you’re looking to get the best possible pay, improve your financial future, and get into practice smoothly, Physicians Thrive can help. Our team specializes in helping physicians negotiate their contracts and budgets just right so they never have to run into financial issues again.
Looking to take control of your career and finances? Don’t leave your future to chance—reach out to us today!
