UA Frequently Asked Questions
MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
STATE BOARDS
MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
The UA is a licensure application used by many state medical boards. Like other licensure applications, the UA includes information about a physician’s credentials.
FCVS is a service that verifies the credentials listed within a licensure application. An FCVS profile is created when your credentials are verified by primary sources. Your FCVS profile kept in a permanent, secure record that can be updated and sent to additional state medical boards as needed throughout your career.
An initial application with FCVS is used to create the profile. A subsequent application is used to update the profile. Both initial and subsequent applications are used for verifications only, not licensure.
No, the credentials and an official transcript of your examination scores from USMLE, NBME or NBOME must be requested separately.
Contact the state medical board and ask about the status of your application. We do not receive copies of state medical board applications at FSMB. A directory of boards is available here. Status of the UA can be checked by clicking on the “Submitted Applications” link at the top of the UA application.
When you select your board in the UA, you will be shown a link containing all the additional required forms and instructions. The same link can be found here for each board.
To keep the information we receive from state medical boards accurate; you cannot add or edit MD or DO license information. Boards send license information to our system on a regular basis, so if you have a new or renewed license, the updated information may not have been sent to us yet. If you see incorrect or missing information in your UA, email that information as well as your Federation ID (FID) or username to ua@fsmb.org. We will look into it, and any changes will show up in your UA within one to two business days.
Sign in to edit your UA. Click the “Review” button next to the State Board section, then click on “Make Changes.” Select the board and make any changes needed, then go to the Identification page and select the “U.S. Citizen” query (it resets each time a UA is submitted). When finished, resubmit your UA.
After your UA has been submitted, click the “Review” button next to the State Board section then select “Make Changes.” Select a new board and make any changes needed, then go to the Identification page and reselect the “U.S. Citizen” query (it resets each time a UA is submitted). When finished, submit your UA to the new board.
Yes. After signing in to FSMB’s Physician Services portal, click the “Home” at the top of the page. Click “Payment” at the top of the next page to view the receipt.
Email a screenshot or photo of the error to ua@fsmb.org. Include your Federation ID number (FID) or username as well as a description of what you were trying to do when it appeared. Customer support hours are 9:00AM- 6:00PM ET Monday-Friday.
Make sure you are using the portal page here. For further assistance, email ua@fsmb.org or call 800-793-7939. Provide your Federation ID number (FID) or username with your request. Customer service hours are 9am to 6pm Eastern Time from Monday through Friday.
The UA does not have a feature for file storage. All UA forms, and state-specific addendum and forms should be submitted directly to the state medical board to which you are applying. If you are trying to upload an item for your FCVS profile, please sign into your FCVS application. For additional assistance, email fcvs@fsmb.org, or call (888) 275-3287. Please provide your Federation ID number (FID) or username with your request. Our customer support hours are Monday-Friday from 9:00AM-6:00PM ET.
Make sure you are signing in from FSMB’s Physician Services portal. For additional assistance, email fcvs@fsmb.org,or call (888) 275-3287. Please provide your Federation ID (FID) number or username with your request. Our customer support hours are Monday-Friday from 9:00AM-6:00PM ET.
If you are using FCVS for credentials verification, you do not need to contact any exam entity. FCVS takes care of this for you.
If you are not using FCVS for credentials verification, below is contact list for various exam entities. If you have taken any component of the USMLE in conjunction with another exam (FLEX), you must request the transcripts from NBME.
Yes. The FCVS and UA affidavit forms may look similar but they are separate. The FCVS Affidavit is sent to FCVS; the UA Affidavit is sent to each state medical board you are applying to. If you send the UA Affidavit to FSMB, this will delay your licensure process.
No. The Licensure Verification Form within the UA is not necessary the state medical board verifying your license uses VeriDoc, provides other electronic verification, or the board asks you to complete a different form in lieu of the UA Affidavit form. Refer to the Licensure Verification Information resource to determine the verifying board’s preferred method.
Generally, yes. All full, temporary, training, and limited licenses must be listed within the UA, and each license needs to be verified. Check with the state medical board you are applying to if you have questions. You can also refer to the Licensure Verification Information resource to determine the verifying board’s preferred method.
You can email ua@fsmb.org or call (800) 793-7939 if you have additional questions. For faster service, please speak slowly and clearly when leaving a voice mail. Please provide your Federation ID number (FID) or username along with a description of your issue. Because we receive a high volume of requests, please allow one to two business days for a response. Our customer support hours are Monday-Friday from 9:00AM-6:00PM ET.
STATE BOARDS
State boards that use the UA see several benefits, including:
The UA can be integrated into your existing application system. Physicians who already have a UA can pre-populate several fields in your licensure application with accurate data. Contact ua@fsmb.org for more information.
There is no charge to state medical boards using the UA, and grant funding may be available to help offset implementation costs. Email ua@fsmb.org for more information.
You receive the core data from a physician’s UA via an API or by downloading a PDF from a file repository. You can also download a licensure history report and board action report for each physician. Depending on your state-specific requirements, non-core information may be completed online or mailed to you.
We can request specific board-required information on your behalf within the state-specific instructions provided at the start of the UA, or by creating an addendum hosted within the UA. We create addenda only to gather information your board needs that is not already part of the UA.
We can identify sections applicants should not complete within the state-specific instructions provided at the start of the UA.
We provide a checklist at the end of the state-specific instructions for applicants to use. The checklist for state medical boards that accept but do not require FCVS features two columns – one for applicants using FCVS and one for applicants providing their credentials directly to the board.
Contact ua@fsmb.org with a list of changes that need to be made. You will be sent a draft of the updated instructions and/or addendum for review. If additional changes are requested, those changes will be made, and you will be sent another draft for review. Once your board reviews and approves a draft, we'll upload it, check it for accuracy, and make it live within the UA.
We will send two copies of a Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement (CNDA) for a representative of your board to sign. You will return one signed copy, contact information for the primary contact and your licensing staff, licensing software information, and the UA service desired to begin the process. Once received, we will schedule a webinar with your representatives and provide additional information for the set up process. Please contact Laura Denton at FCVSCare@fsmb.org to get started
Please contact UA customer support at ua@fsmb.org. We typically respond within 24 hours on weekdays. Our customer support hours are Monday- Friday from 9:00AM-6:00PM ET.