UA FAQ for Medical Professionals
What is the difference between the Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS) and the Uniform Application (UA)?
keyboard_arrow_downThe 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 a physician’s credentials are verified by primary sources. This profile of verified credentials is stored in a permanent repository that can be updated and sent to additional state medical boards as needed throughout a physician’s career.
An initial application with FCVS is used to create the profile. A subsequent application with FCVS is used to update the profile. Both initial and subsequent applications are used for verifications only, not for licensure.
Does the UA submit or (include) my credentials and board scores to the board I am applying for?
keyboard_arrow_downNo, the credentials and an official transcript of your examination scores such as USMLE, NBME or NBOME are to be requested separately.
How do I check on the status of my application?
keyboard_arrow_downContact the state board and ask about the status of your application. We do not receive copies of state board applications at FSMB. A directory of boards is available here. Status of the Uniform Application can be checked by clicking on the “Submitted Applications” link at the top of the screen.
Where can I find the forms I need to send to the board along with my UA?
keyboard_arrow_downWhen you select your board in UA, you will be given a link containing all the additional forms and instructions. The same link can be found for each board here.
How do I add or edit MD/DO license information?
keyboard_arrow_downYou are not able to add or edit MD or DO license information as we want to ensure uncompromised integrity of the data we receive directly from the state boards. Boards send license information to our system on a routine 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. The information will be researched, and any changes that can be made will show in your UA within 1-2 business days.
I have already submitted my UA but I need to make changes to it and resend it to the board. How do I do that?
keyboard_arrow_downTo open your UA for editing, sign in here. Click on the “Review” button next to the State Board section then click on “Make Changes”. Reselect the board and make any changes needed, then go to the Identification page and reselect the US Citizen query (it resets each time a UA is submitted). When finished, resubmit your UA.
I would like to send my UA to another state board. How do I do that?
keyboard_arrow_downAfter your UA has been submitted, click on the “Review” button next to the State Board section then click on “Make Changes”. Select a new board and make any changes needed, then go to the Identification page and reselect the US Citizen query (it resets each time a UA is submitted). When finished, submit your UA to the new board.
Can I get a receipt?
keyboard_arrow_downYes. After signing in to the portal here, click on the Home link at the top of the page. Click on the Payment link at the top of the next page for the receipt.
I get an error message when I try to use the UA. What should I do?
keyboard_arrow_downEmail 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 service hours are 8am to 5pm Central Time from Monday through Friday.
I am having problems signing in to the UA. What do I need to do?
keyboard_arrow_downMake 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 8am to 5pm Central Time from Monday through Friday.
How do I upload items into my UA?
keyboard_arrow_downThe UA does not have a feature for file storage. All UA forms, state-specific addendum and state-specific forms should be submitted directly to the board to which you are applying. If you are trying to upload an item for your profile of verified credentials, please sign into your FCVS Application here. For further assistance, you can email fcvs@fsmb.org, or call 888-275-3287. Provide your Federation ID number (FID) with your request. Customer service hours are 8am to 5pm Central Time from Monday through Friday.
I am having problems signing in to FCVS. What do I need to do?
keyboard_arrow_downMake sure you are using the portal page here. For further assistance, email fcvs@fsmb.org,or call 888-275-3287. Provide your Federation ID (FID) number with your request. Customer service hours are 8am to 5pm Central Time from Monday through Friday.
I need to request exam score transcripts to be sent to the board I am applying to for licensure. How do I do that?
keyboard_arrow_downIf 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, see the following list of exam entities with contact information. If you have taken any component of the NBME in conjunction with another exam (USMLE/FLEX), you must request the transcripts from the NBME.
- USMLE/FLEX/SPEX: Request transcripts here. For assistance, call 817-868-4041 or email usmle@fsmb.org.
- NBME: Request your scores here. For assistance, call 215-590-9500 or email scores@nbme.org.
- NBOME/COMLEX-USA: Request a certified copy of your official transcript here. For assistance, call 866-479-6828 or email Client Services here.
- State Board Examination: Request the state board or jurisdiction to send your state exam information directly to the board you are applying to for licensure. Most boards require a fee for this service. A directory of state medical boards is available here.
- LMCC: Complete the Service Request form here. For assistance, call 613-521-6012 or email service@mcc.ca.
- ECFMG Certificate or Status Report: Request a Status Report to be sent to the board you are applying to for licensure here. For assistance, call 215-386-5900 or email credentials@ecfmg.org.
Do I really need to do the affidavit if I’ve already done the affidavit for FCVS?
keyboard_arrow_downYes. The FCVS and Uniform Application forms may look similar but they are separate forms. The FCVS affidavit is sent to FCVS. The Uniform Application affidavit is sent to each board you are applying to. If you send the Uniform Application affidavit to FSMB, there will be a delay in your licensure process.
Do I still use the Licensure Verification Form if the state board verifying my license only sends out electronic verifications?
keyboard_arrow_downNo. The Licensure Verification Form within the Uniform Application is not needed if the state board verifying your license uses VeriDoc or provides other electronic verification. It is also not needed if the board you are applying to asks you to complete a different form in lieu of the Uniform Application form. Refer to the Licensure Verification Information resource to determine the verifying board’s preferred verification method.
Is the Licensure Verification Form needed to verify my training license?
keyboard_arrow_downGenerally, yes. All full, temporary, training, and limited licenses must be listed within the Uniform Application, and each license needs to be verified. Check with the board you are applying to if you have any questions. You can also refer to the Licensure Verification Information resource to determine the verifying board’s preferred verification method.
What if I have a question that is not answered here?
keyboard_arrow_downYou can email ua@fsmb.org or call 800-793-7939. For faster service, please send an email or speak slowly and clearly when leaving a voice mail, and provide your Federation ID number (FID) or username with a description of your issue. Due to volume of requests received, please allow 1-2 business days for a response. Customer service hours are 8am to 5pm Central Time from Monday through Friday.
UA FAQ for State Boards
Why should my board use the Uniform Application?
keyboard_arrow_downThere are many benefits for state boards using the Uniform Application. They include:
- Receiving a physician's application information more quickly than a mailed application
- Enabling physicians who already have a Uniform Application to apply to your board more easily
- Maintaining licensing autonomy with state-specific requirements while enhancing license portability
- Reporting tools (API, PDF) that can be integrated into existing state processes
- Storage of each core application for life in a secure physician data repository
- Significant labor and cost supply savings with technical support and customer service provided by FSMB
Our board already has an online licensure application. Why should we switch to the Uniform Application?
keyboard_arrow_downThe Uniform Application can be integrated into your existing application system. Physicians who already have a Uniform Application would be able to pre-populate a number of fields in your licensure application with uncompromised data integrity. Contact the Uniform Application department for more details.
How much would it cost my board to use the Uniform Application?
keyboard_arrow_downThere is no charge to the board for using the Uniform Application. In fact, grant funding may be available to help offset implementation costs. Contact the Uniform Application department for more details.
How would my board receive the Uniform Application?
keyboard_arrow_downYour board can receive the core data of a physician’s Uniform Application by API or by downloading in PDF format from a pickup site. In addition, the pickup site includes a licensure history report and a board action report for each physician. Depending on your state-specific requirements, non-core information may be completed online or mailed to you.
What if we need additional information from the physician per state law, such as all nine digits of a social security number instead of only the last four digits?
keyboard_arrow_downFSMB can request specific board-required information on your behalf within the state-specific instructions provided at the start of the Uniform Application, or by creating an addendum hosted within the Uniform Application. Addenda are created solely to gather information required by the board but not already included within the Uniform Application.
What if there is a request for information in the Uniform Application that we cannot legally obtain or do not want to gather?
keyboard_arrow_downFSMB can outline what the applicants should not complete within the state-specific instructions provided at the start of the Uniform Application.
How can we ensure that our applicants complete all of our requirements for licensure outside of the Uniform Application?
keyboard_arrow_downFSMB provides a checklist at the end of the state-specific instructions for applicants to use. The checklist for 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.
What do we need to do if we need a change made in our instructions or in our addendum?
keyboard_arrow_downContact 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 a draft has been reviewed and approved by the board, it will be uploaded into our system and quality checked to ensure it appears correctly before being made live within the Uniform Application.
I would like for my board to start using the Uniform Application. What is the process for getting set up?
keyboard_arrow_downWe will provide two copies of a Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement (CNDA) to be signed by a representative of your board. We will ask you to return one signed copy, contact information for you and your licensing staff, licensing software information, and type of UA service desired in order to start the set up process. Once received, we will schedule a webinar with you and send additional information for the set up process. Contact Larry Poyner-Amar at 817-868-5035 to get started.
What if I have a question that is not answered here?
keyboard_arrow_downContact the Uniform Application department at ua@fsmb.org. Response time is generally within 12-24 hours during weekdays. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time Monday through Friday.