According to the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority (VHWDA), nearly 30% of Virginians live in areas without enough physicians.
The problem is set to worsen, with the Cicero Institute projecting a shortage of 3,911 doctors by 2030.
This means that if you’re looking to set up a practice, Virginia (VA) might be a good choice.
But before partnering up with any physicians, you need to verify that they’re properly licensed and in good standing. You also want to ensure your own licensing application has been successful.
Let’s learn how you can use the VA MD license lookup to verify an MD’s credentials.
Key Takeaways
- Nearly 30% of Virginians lack adequate physician access, with shortages worsening.
- VA MD license lookup verifies physician qualifications and disciplinary history.
- Tool provides license status, education, board certifications, and felony records.
- Healthcare employers, insurers, and regulators use it to ensure compliance and safety.
Table of Contents
Why You Should Verify a VA MD License
A VA MD license check helps you ensure that the doctors you’ll be working with have met the standards set by the Virginia Department of Health Professions, which means they’re qualified to provide care in the state.
You can also find information about any disciplinary actions taken against a doctor, which protects you from working with physicians who may pose a risk to patients or your practice. When you know a doctor’s background and license status, it’s easier to trust their abilities and maintain a high standard of care.
Verifying an MD’s medical license also protects you from potential damage to your reputation and consequences such as public scrutiny, legal issues, and loss of patient trust. Even a single incident can severely harm your practice’s credibility—especially if you’ve just started your medical career.
What Information Can You Find Using the VA MD License Lookup?
You can find the following information through the lookup:
- Licensee name
- Licensee number
- Dates of issue and expiration
- Practice information, e.g., location and phone number
- Education
- Years in active clinical service
- Publications
- Academic appointments
- Board certifications
- Actions
- Medicare participation
- Paid claims (limited to the past ten years)
- Disciplinary actions
- Felony convictions
Who Should Use the VA MD License Lookup?
While anybody can access and use the VA MD license lookup, the following users are more likely to benefit from it:
- Healthcare employers: Medical facilities and healthcare companies use this tool to verify the license of potential hires. It helps them ensure their hires are compliant with state regulations and avoid legal risks.
- Insurance companies: Insurers use this tool to confirm that physicians meet licensure requirements when processing claims and offering coverage, especially occupational disability or malpractice coverage.
- State and federal regulatory bodies: These may use the lookup tool to ensure that doctors practicing in Virginia have active, valid licenses and comply with professional standards.
How to Use the VA MD License Lookup Tool
Here’s how you can use the VA MD license lookup tool to verify a physician’s medical license:
1. Navigate to the VA MD license lookup. Here’s what you will see:
2. Enter the doctor’s last name, then select the city/county as “Virginia Locations” and the profession as “Doctor of Medicine.” Here’s an example:
3. Click on “Search.” Here’s what you should see:
4. If you want more information about the doctor, click on their name. You’ll be redirected to a page like this:
What to Do if You Can’t Find a Doctor’s License
If you can’t find a doctor’s license using the VA MD license lookup, it doesn’t always mean there’s a problem. Here’s what to do:
1. Try Again
Double-check the spelling of the doctor’s name and try using other variations, such as their middle name or initials.
You can also search using the doctor’s license number if you have it. This would give you the best results.
2. Reach out to the Virginia Department of Health Professions
If your search still turns up nothing, you should reach out to the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP) to confirm whether the doctor’s information is up-to-date or if any data is missing.
Sometimes, licenses may not be listed due to administrative delays or recent changes in status, especially during renewal periods.
3. File a Complaint
If you suspect something is wrong or believe the doctor is practicing without a valid license, you should file a complaint with the DHP. The process is easy, and you can usually submit it online through this form.
Just be prepared to provide as much information as possible, including the doctor’s name, any relevant details about their practice, and the reasons for your concerns. The Virginia Board of Medicine will investigate your complaint to ensure no illegal or unethical practices are taking place.
Set up Your Virginia Medical Practice for Success With Physicians Thrive
If you’re starting a practice in Virginia, you need to do your due diligence to make sure you avoid working with health professionals who aren’t able to provide the right level of care to your patients. The VA MD license lookup can help you do just that.
After you’re done checking up on your potential colleagues, you still have a long road to travel. That’s where we come in.
At Physicians Thrive, our team walks with you through every step of the process of starting a practice, from getting a line of credit to securing good insurance terms. Here’s a taste of what we offer:
- A checklist of 58 steps, so you’ll always know what comes next
- Credentialing support to ensure your partners are recognized by insurance companies
- First-year accounting services to keep your finances organized from day one
- Ongoing consulting and management services to keep your practice on track
We know that every doctor’s situation is different, which is why we don’t believe in cookie-cutter solutions. Your goals, financial situation, and visions guide our recommendations. Ready to choose the level of support that makes sense for you? Give us a call today!
