Uniform application is a web-based application that simplifies the licensure process for physicians, physician assistants (PAs), and residents by allowing them to apply to multiple state boards with one application. Boards are state medical and osteopathic boards that regulate the practice of medicine and grant licenses to qualified applicants.
Using uniform applications and boards has many benefits, such as convenience, efficiency, portability, and standardization. You can save time and money by filling out one application instead of multiple ones for different states. You can also increase your career opportunities by expanding your scope of practice across state lines. And you can ensure that your credentials are verified and consistent with national standards.
The main goal of this article is to provide a comprehensive guide on uniform applications and boards for healthcare providers and organizations. You will learn more about the benefits, features, eligibility criteria, costs, and tips for using this service. You will also find answers to some frequently asked questions and useful resources to help you with your licensure process.
What is Uniform Application?
Uniform application is a web-based application that enhances the nation’s state-based licensure system. It allows physicians, physician assistants (PAs), and residents to apply to multiple state boards with one application, instead of filling out separate forms for each state.
How does uniform application work and what does it include?
The uniform application works by sending the same core licensure application to multiple participating state boards through one application. You can create an account on the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) website and complete the online application form. You will need to submit your supporting documents, such as transcripts, test scores, certificates, and references. You will also need to pay the required fees for the application and the verification services. Then, you can select the state boards that you want to apply to and follow their specific instructions and requirements. The state boards will review your application and notify you of their decision.
The uniform application includes state board-specific requirements and credentials verification information. The application covers your personal information, education, training, examination history, work history, malpractice history, disciplinary history, health status, and professional references. The verification services include primary source verification of your credentials by the FSMB Credentials Verification Service (FCVS). The FCVS verifies your identity, medical education, postgraduate training, examination history, board certification, ECFMG status (if applicable), and identity and name change (if applicable).
Why is the uniform application required for each locum tenens assignment in a participating state?
Uniform application is required for each locum tenens assignment in a participating state because it ensures that you meet the licensure standards and qualifications of that state. It also simplifies and streamlines the licensure process for you and the state boards. By using the uniform application, you can save time and money by avoiding duplication of information and verification. You can also increase your career opportunities by expanding your scope of practice across state lines. And you can ensure that your credentials are verified and consistent with national standards.
locum tenens physicians are paid by the hour, though in some cases it might be by the day. The hourly wage is good—on average $32.45 per hour more than what permanent-only physicians earn. By using the uniform application, you can maximize your earning potential by applying to multiple states with one application. You can also enjoy more flexibility and control over your schedule and location preferences.
Uniform application is a valuable service for healthcare providers who want to practice medicine in different states. It offers convenience, efficiency, portability, and standardization for the licensure process. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on uniform applications and boards for healthcare providers and organizations. You will learn more about the benefits, features, eligibility criteria, costs, and tips for using this service. You will also find answers to some frequently asked questions and useful resources to help you with your licensure process.
Why Use Uniform Application?
Using a uniform application brings numerous benefits for both providers and organizations. It saves time and money, eliminates the need for redundant data entry, increases opportunities and choices, improves license portability, ensures compliance, reduces liability and risk, enhances patient satisfaction and outcomes, and helps fill staffing gaps and meet demand.
For providers, the advantages of using a uniform application include time and cost savings by completing a single application instead of multiple ones for different states. The FSMB Credentials Verification Service (FCVS) can further streamline the process by verifying credentials once and storing them securely in a lifetime portfolio. Additionally, it eliminates redundant data entry through the use of a core licensure application accepted by multiple state boards. Providers can conveniently update their information online, with automatic transmission to selected state boards1. This streamlined process expands opportunities and choices for providers, allowing them to obtain licensure across state lines. With one application, providers can apply to multiple states and select locations that align with their preferences and goals. This flexibility provides better control over schedules and workloads.
For organizations, using a uniform application ensures compliance with regulations and standards. By verifying provider credentials through a primary source verification service that meets the standards of accrediting bodies like The Joint Commission (TJC) and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), organizations can maintain compliance and reduce liability and risk. Hiring qualified and competent providers who have met the licensure standards of multiple state boards improves patient satisfaction and outcomes. Organizations can improve patient access and continuity of care by filling staffing gaps and meeting demand in underserved areas. Additionally, using locum tenens providers who can work in different states using a uniform application helps organizations cope with staff shortages, seasonal fluctuations, leaves of absence, or special projects.
Overall, using a uniform application simplifies and streamlines the licensure process for state boards while offering convenience, efficiency, portability, and standardization for providers. It ensures compliance, reduces risk, improves patient care, and fills staffing needs for organizations. This comprehensive guide provides valuable information on the uniform application and boards for healthcare providers and organizations, including benefits, features, eligibility criteria, costs, and helpful tips for utilizing this service. Additionally, it addresses frequently asked questions and offers useful resources to assist with the licensure process.
How to Use Uniform Application?
Using uniform applications is easy and convenient for both providers and organizations.
Step-by-step guide for providers
- Register for an account on the FSMB website. You will need to provide your name, email address, and password. You will also need to agree to the terms and conditions of using the service.
- Fill out the online application with your personal, educational, professional, and disciplinary information. You will need to provide details such as your date of birth, social security number, medical school, postgraduate training, examination history, work history, malpractice history, disciplinary history, health status, and professional references.
- Upload or mail your supporting documents, such as proof of training, board certifications, DEA certification, etc. You can upload scanned copies of your documents online or mail them to the FSMB’s CVO (Credentials Verification Organization) at P.O. Box 619850 Dallas TX 75261-9850.
- Select the state boards you want to apply to and pay the fees. You can choose from a list of participating state boards on the FSMB website. You will need to pay a one-time application fee of $60 and a verification fee of $50 per credential verified by the FCVS (Federation Credentials Verification Service). You will also need to pay any additional fees required by the state boards you select.
- Wait for the verification of your information by the FSMB’s CVO. The CVO will verify your credentials using primary sources and store them in a secure, lifetime portfolio. The verification process may take up to 45 days depending on the availability of your sources.
- Wait for the approval of your application by the state boards. The state boards will review your application and notify you of their decision. The approval process may vary depending on the state board’s requirements and policies.
- Receive your license or notification of any issues or delays. Once your application is approved, you will receive your license or notification of licensure from the state board. If there are any issues or delays with your application, you will be notified by the state board or the FSMB.
Step-by-step guide for organizations
- Register for an account on the FSMB website. You will need to provide your name, email address, password, and organization name. You will also need to agree to the terms and conditions of using the service.
- Search for providers by name or license number. You can use the search function on the FSMB website to find providers who have used uniform applications. You can search by their first name, last name, or license number.
- Request access to their uniform application data. You can request access to view their uniform application data by clicking on their name and filling out a request form. You will need to provide your name, organization name, email address, phone number, and reason for requesting access.
- Review their credentials and qualifications. Once you receive access to their uniform application data, you can review their credentials and qualifications online. You can see their personal information, education, training, examination history, work history, malpractice history, disciplinary history, health status, professional references, and verification status.
- Contact them directly or through their locum tenens agency. If you are interested in hiring them or offering them a locum tenens assignment, you can contact them directly using their contact information or through their locum tenens agency if they have one.
Which Boards Use Uniform Application?
Uniform application is used by state medical and osteopathic boards for licensure processes. It allows physicians, physician assistants (PAs), and residents to apply to multiple state boards with one application.
UA Participating Boards for MD and DO
Alaska State Medical Board → Forms & Instructions
Alabama Board of Medical Examiners* → Forms & Instructions
Guam Board of Medical Examiners → Forms & Instructions
Idaho State Board of Medicine → Forms & Instructions
Medical Licensing Board of Indiana → Forms & Instructions
Iowa Board of Medicine* → Forms & Instructions
Kansas State Board of Healing Arts → Forms & Instructions
Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine* → Forms & Instructions
Maine Board of Osteopathic Licensure* → Forms & Instructions
Maryland Board of Physicians* → Forms & Instructions
Montana Board of Medical Examiners → Forms & Instructions
New Hampshire Board of Medicine* → Forms & Instructions
New Mexico Medical Board → Forms & Instructions
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands → Forms & Instructions
State Medical Board of Ohio → Forms & Instructions
Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision → Forms & Instructions
Oklahoma State Board of Osteopathic Examiners → Paper Only
Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline → Forms & Instructions
Texas Medical Board → Forms & Instructions
Vermont Board of Medical Practice → Paper Only
Virgin Islands Board of Medical Examiners* → Forms & Instructions
Washington Medical Commission → Forms & Instructions
Washington Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery → Forms & Instructions
West Virginia Board of Medicine → Forms & Instructions
West Virginia Board of Osteopathic Medicine → Forms & Instructions
Wisconsin Medical Examining Board → Forms & Instructions
Wyoming Board of Medicine → Forms & Instructions
*Require the UA Application
UA for Physician Assistants
Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine → Forms & Instructions
Maine Board of Osteopathic Licensure → Forms & Instructions
Montana Board of Medical Examiners → Forms & Instructions
Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision → Forms & Instructions
Virgin Islands Board of Medical Examiners* → Forms & Instructions
Washington Medical Commission → Forms & Instructions
Washington Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery → Forms & Instructions
More boards are implementing the Uniform Application into their licensure processes.
What are the Fees and Requirements for Uniform Application?
Using uniform applications involves paying certain fees and meeting certain requirements for both providers and organizations.
The fees vary by state board and may include application fees, verification fees, licensing fees for providers, access fees, subscription fees, and verification fees for organizations.
For example, the Texas Medical Board charges a $60 application fee, a $50 verification fee per credential verified by FCVS, and a $1,053 licensing fee for physicians using the uniform application. the FSMB charges organizations a $10 access fee per provider per year to view their uniform application data online.
The requirements for providers also vary by state board and may include education, training, certification, examination, etc. As for organizations, the requirements vary by provider and may include consent, authorization, verification, etc. The requirements are usually listed on the state board’s, provider’s profile or on the uniform application portal.
Uniform application is a web-based application that simplifies the licensure process for physicians, PAs, and residents by allowing them to apply to multiple state boards with one application. FCVS is a service that verifies and stores the credentials of physicians and PAs for future use. FCVS can be used in conjunction with uniform application to expedite the verification process.