Welcome to FSMB
The Federation of State Medical Boards is committed to supporting state medical boards as they work to protect consumers through the effective regulation of physicians and other healthcare practitioners. FSMB helps advance this critical mission by providing timely and strategic resources and services tailored to the needs of each jurisdiction.
Advocacy, Policy, and Public Relations
State medical boards frequently turn to FSMB for support in advancing their legislative priorities in state houses across the country. FSMB identifies and analyzes relevant legislation and regulations and provides national perspective to support boards. Each year, FSMB convenes committees of medical board representatives and key stakeholders to develop official policy and guidance on pressing issues faced by regulators across the U.S. Through national campaigns and an effective public relations program, FSMB works to build awareness among consumers and the media of the critical role state medical boards play in the U.S. healthcare system For more information, contact advocacy@fsmb.org.
Technology and Information Services
FSMB provides creative, customized solutions to help state medical boards in overcoming various technological and resource challenges. This includes supporting boards in updating and installing licensing platforms to improve efficiency, with technological solutions such as enhanced web services, API, and data integration. FSMB also gives medical boards access to the Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS), which provides a centralized, uniform process for state medical boards to obtain a verified, primary-source record of a physician and physician assistant’s core medical credentials. For more information, contact fcvs@fsmb.org.
Educational Programming
FSMB offers multiple educational programs and events each year designed to equip medical regulators with information and skills vital to effective regulation. These offerings include webinars and workshops, symposiums on specially targeted issues, and FSMB’s Annual Meeting, a three-day series of courses provided by experts and medical board representatives. Scholarships are available to medical board members and staff to attend the Annual Meeting and other events. Many of FSMB’s educational offerings are available for continuing medical education (CME). FSMB’s CME accreditation services support high-quality continuing medical education for regulatory audiences. For more information, contact edu@fsmb.org.
Assessment Services
FSMB administers the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) with co-sponsor NBME, ensuring that all physicians are held to a rigorous and reliable common standard and have demonstrated they can apply the medical knowledge and skills needed to provide patients with safe and effective care. State medical boards access transcripts documenting physicians’ successful completion of the USMLE exam series through a secure portal. FSMB also offers the Special Purpose Examination (SPEX) on general medical knowledge to assist member boards in assessing physicians seeking to re-enter practice after a period of inactivity or licensure by endorsement. For more information, contact usmle@fsmb.org.
Licensing and Disciplinary Data
FSMB’s Physician Data Center (PDC) provides state medical boards free access to the nation’s largest source of physician and PA licensure, disciplinary, and demographic information. The PDC provides medical boards with alerts whenever a physician licensed in their state is disciplined in another jurisdiction, and it provides consumers with access to DocInfo, a free physician and PA search tool including licensure and disciplinary information provided by medical boards. For more information, contact pdc@fsmb.org.