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FEDERATION CREDENTIALS VERIFICATION SERVICE (FCVS)
FCVS Overview
FCVS was established in September 1996 to provide a centralized, uniform process for state medical boards to obtain a verified, primary source record of a physician's core medical credentials.
This service is designed to lighten the workload of credentialing staff and reduce duplication of effort by gathering, verifying and permanently storing the physician's and/or physician assistant's credentials in a central repository at the FSMB's offices.
FCVS obtains primary source verification of medical education, postgraduate training, examination history, board action history, board certification and identity. This repository of information allows a physician and/or physician assistant to establish a confidential, lifetime professional portfolio with FCVS which can be forwarded, at the applicant's request, to any state medical board that has established an agreement with FCVS, hospital, health care or any other entity.
FCVS announces GMEConnect - a new system for Directors and Coordinators of GME Programs
The FSMB introduces a new web-based technology service designed to provide fast and efficient verification of graduate medical education. GME program directors can now submit participant verification in a secured web-based environment. The service eliminates the need to mail forms as well as any expenses associated with mailings.
The service offers GME program directors:
- secure access-the FSMB leverages web-based technology to provide secured, password protected access to our network.
- efficiency-simply log on to our network, complete the electronic form and submit.
- GMEConnect also benefits GME program participants by expediting the licensure process in that verification forms are submitted in real time.
GMEConnect also benefits GME program participants by expediting the licensure process in that verification forms are submitted in real time. If you would like to participate in this online verification service, rather than providing verification forms to FCVS via mail, click the following link to register http://www.fsmb.org/GMEConnect/GMEconnectStart.aspx.
FCVS meets JCAHO's ten principles for a primary source verified credentials verification organization (See JCAHO's MS.4.10)
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Benefits of Using FCVS
- Permanent Repository
Applicants who complete the verification process establish a permanent, lifetime portfolio of primary-source verified credentials that can be used throughout the applicant's career for state licensure, hospital privileges, employment and professional memberships. For physicians, this service is extremely valuable for those graduating from medical schools outside the U.S. or Canada, where verification is often time consuming, costly and difficult. Finally, should the applicant's related programs close or records be permanently lost or destroyed, the FCVS records become invaluable for future credential verification needs. - International Physicians
International medical school graduates are aware of the cost and time associated with obtaining verifications from their medical schools. As FCVS obtains the necessary verifications from your medical school (Verification of Medical Education Form, official medical school transcript and a certified diploma) and stores the information permanently in your Physician Information Profile the time and cost to provide this verification will be reduced.
FCVS has collaborated with ECFMG to provide verifications for physicians who were ECFMG certified after July 2004 within a few days.
- Domestic Physicians
- Once FCVS has obtained the primary source verifications, the cost and time required for processing is reduced. Please note that any updates (i.e. additional training or completion of training that was previously in progress) will require additional processing time.
- Records are stored in central location for ease of access
- Emergency/disaster preparedness
- Records available in the event of program closure (over 100 programs close each year)
- License Portability
- Emergency/Disaster Preparedness
Unforeseen disasters can call for physicians to be licensed quickly in order to help those injured or to continue training or practicing medicine. Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods can cause personal and institutional records to be lost. Many cannot be retrieved or replaced. The verified forms in your FCVS Physician Information Profile will help resolve this problem, as they are maintained at FCVS indefinitely.
- Highest Standards/Primary Source Verification
FCVS obtains all verifications of medical school attendance, postgraduate training, licensure examinations and ECFMG certification directly from the primary source. FCVS mails the request directly to the authorized verification address and requires the completed forms be returned directly to FCVS.
- Board Acceptance/License Portability
64 state medical boards accept the documents in the FCVS Physician Information Profile as primary source verification for issuance of licensure. The standardization of these documents make moving from one state to another a quicker and easier process.
- Hospitals and Insurance Providers
Hospital and insurance providers can also use the FCVS Profile in their credentialing process. FCVS meets the standards set by Joint Commission and NCQA. Once your Profile is established, this allows for hospital and insurance applications to be processed quicker.
- Uniform Application for Physician Licensure
The online Uniform Application for Physician Licensure (UA) is a new licensure application process for physicians. UA has been developed to:
- Standardize the licensure application for all medical boards
- Allow the physician to collect and store uniform information for their use throughout their career
- Add convenience for physicians applying for licensure in multiple states
- The physician can access the Uniform Application by clicking here approximately 7 days after submission of the FCVS application. All information reported to FCVS that is also required for the UA will be auto-populated into the UA.
Accepting Boards
Many licensing boards accept the FCVS Physician and Physician Assistant Information Profile. For a list of states, please choose below:
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Data Collection and Maintenance
FCVS Application
The verification process begins with an FCVS application. See Physician Application Forms or Physician Assistant Application Forms for more information.
The FCVS application packet captures pertinent information in an efficient and easy-to-understand manner. Every application packet comes with comprehensive written instructions. There also is a toll-free support line (1-888-ASK-FCVS) for assistance with completing an application. The verification process begins when the correctly completed application arrives at FCVS, with the appropriate fee.
Credentials Verification Process
To ensure the accuracy and integrity of information received, each application packet is assigned to a specific team of FCVS credentials verification analysts who oversee all application reviews, problem resolution, fee processing, timely receipt of documents and quality assurance.
Analysts review applications and enter the data upon receipt. Any discrepancies or omissions are immediately identified, and the applicant is requested to clarify the omission before processing resumes.
When all requirements are satisfied, FCVS begins verifying information through a series of verification letters and forms, transcript requests, and document validation with the primary source of the information. As a security precaution, FCVS initiates and receives all requests for information directly from the source. Once the verification process is under way, the applicant has no access to verified information.
Outstanding and/or incomplete verification requests are followed upon at regular intervals. Methods of contacting medical schools and training institutions for verification include telephone, email, mail, fax and GMEConnect (a secure web-based technology service). When all of the information is obtained, the completed packet undergoes a rigorous quality assurance audit process to ensure all information has been received according to requirements, and that no data discrepancies or omissions exist. Any omission or data discrepancy between the application and the information obtained from the primary source is reported to the entity designated to receive the final profile report.
FCVS Physician/Physician Assistant Information Profile
When all verification and quality review is complete, FCVS prepares a non-interpretive Physician or Physician Assistant Information Profile (Profile) to be sent to entities the applicant designates. The Profile contains FCVS-certified photocopies of all original documents received from primary sources. All original documentation is maintained in the applicant's file for future use. When Profiles are mailed to the receiving entity, FCVS mails a confirmation letter to the applicant verifying the Profile has been forwarded.
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FedEx Information
 For your convenience, FedEx Office (formerly FedEx Kinko's) offers discounted services to FCVS applicants, including photocopies and passport quality photographs. Most of the documentation that you will be requested to send to FCVS can be taken to your local FedEx Office location for one-stop shopping at a greatly reduced cost. Simply present Preferred Customer number 8400051717 at your local FedEx Office location. To find your nearest FedEx Office location, click here.
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