FEDERATION CREDENTIALS VERIFICATION SERVICE (FCVS)

FCVS for State Medical Boards
FCVS was developed to assist physicians and physician assistants in obtaining licensure in multiple states or relocate to another state without delays encountered in obtaining a new license, the committee recommended the establishment of a trusted central repository of physician's core credentials that could be utilized by all state medical boards for purposes of licensure. FCVS began operations in September 1996. Learn more about FCVS.

Accepting Boards
Most licensing boards accept the FCVS Physician and Physician Assistant Information Profile. For a list of states, please choose below:

• Physician: Licensing Boards Accepting the FCVS Information Profile
• Physician Assistant: Licensing Boards Accepting the FCVS Information Profile

Methods for State Boards to Utilize FCVS
Read the full State Approaches Memo

• Requiring
  Boards that "require" FCVS require all new license applicants to have their core credentials verified by FCVS and forwarded to the board as a part of the licensure application process.
• Accepting
  Boards that "accept" FCVS agree to accept core credentials verified by FCVS to establish identity, medical education, postgraduate training, examinations and board action history, and ECFMG certification, if applicable, in lieu of the board having to verify that information from the original source or requiring the physician to submit similar documentation.
• Board Policy
  This method involves proposing and adopting a board resolution that all licensure applicants be required to submit their core credentials to FCVS for verification. While board policy may be the simplest way to require FCVS, it does not have the full legal effect of statute or regulation.
• Regulation
  The process of promulgating regulations requires the medical board to publish the proposed regulation in the state register with provisions for public comment and possibly a hearing. The process can be completed within five months. Language contained in regulation is typically similar to language used for legislative.
• Statute
  A statutory change in medical licensure process requires all new license applicants to submit their core credentials to FCVS for verification. Subsequently, legislation would be introduced to amend a state's medical act to include a definition of FCVS and an explanation of the verification process. Parameters for use would also be included in the legislation. The legislation would clearly specify what information must be submitted to FCVS for verification.
• Other
  Opt to "strongly encourage" applicants for licensure to utilize FCVS by adding language to your state's license applications that strongly encouraging applicants to utilize FCVS.