What is the Uniform Application?
As telemedicine gains traction and locum tenens work becomes more popular, more and more physicians are applying for and maintaining multiple state medical licenses. While that used to require a substantial effort, there are now different application options available to help ease the burden, the Uniform Application for Licensure (UA) being one of them.
The UA is an online application designed to make the state-based licensure system more efficient. It simplifies the process by removing the need for physicians to re-enter information when applying for licensure in more than one state.
Who oversees the Uniform Application?
The UA is offered by the Federation of State Medical Boards, an organization representing the 70 state medical and osteopathic regulatory boards within the United States and its territories. This same organization offers the FCVS, a service used to create a lifetime portfolio of verified professional credentials.
How much does it cost to utilize the Uniform Application?
A one-time fee of $60 is all that is required to submit your initial application. There are no fees for additional applications, but in most cases, you will have to pay to have any existing licenses verified during the process.
How do I complete the Uniform Application?
The first step to completing your UA is to fill out the core application online. After that, you will need to refer to the state-specific instructions to find any additional information required by the licensing board(s) you are applying to.
Next, you have to submit a notarized UA Affidavit and Authorization for Release of Information form to the state medical board(s). From there, you will need to have any state licenses that you’ve held verified by the medical boards that granted them.
After your application has been completed and submitted, is it up to each medical board to review it. This process can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months or more and varies from state to state.
What states accept the Uniform Application?
At this time, two states require the UA and 18 others accept it as an alternative to their unique application.
As the UA gains popularity, more states will likely work to implement it, making the licensing process more streamlined for physicians across the country.
Did you know that as a CardioSolution physician, all of your licensing expenses are covered? This includes individual state licenses, as well as the FCVS, Uniform Application, or Compact costs. We also have a team of talented individuals dedicated to making the application process as simple as possible! Learn more about employment with CardioSolution.