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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    State Board of Medicine

    The State Board of Medicine regulates the practice of medicine through the licensure, registration and certification of members of the medical profession in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

    Apply for or Renew Your License
    Medicine Board Licensure Guide

    Interstate Medical Licensure Compact

    Starting July 7, 2025, doctors who live in Pennsylvania can apply to care for patients in more than 30 other states and U.S. territories.

    This new opportunity comes as Pennsylvania fully joins three interstate health care compacts, which allow qualified health care professionals to streamline the application process to prove they meet all requirements to provide care to patients in other compact member states.

    Learn more

    The Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine is responsible for regulating the practice of medicine through licensure, registration, certification and discipline of those engaged in the practice of medicine in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Board regulates medical physicians and surgeons; physician assistants; naturopathic doctors; respiratory therapists; certified nurse-midwives; acupuncturists; practitioners of oriental medicine; perfusionists; behavioral specialists; prosthetists; orthotists; pedorthists; orthotic fitters; and athletic trainers as well as the unlicensed practice of those professions. Under this authority, it is the role of the Board to determine on a case-by-case basis whether a professional under its jurisdiction engaged in immoral or unprofessional conduct by departing from, or failing to conform to, an ethical or quality standard of the profession.  All Pennsylvania licensees are reminded to review the requirements of professional licensure as set forth in the Practice Act and Board Regulations to aid in their exercise of good faith medical judgment to provide patient care that is consistent with the standards of acceptable and prevailing practice.

    Board Laws & Regulations

    Regulations - Chapter 16 - General Provisions

    Regulations - Chapter 17 - Medical Doctors

    Regulations - Chapter 18 - Practitioners Other Than Medical Doctors

    Acupuncture Act

    Law - Act 112 of 1985

    Mcare Act - Act 13 of 2002 40 P.S.

    Mcare Information and Reporting (PDF)

    Important Mcare Information (PDF)

    Act 48 of 1993 - Schedule of Civil Penalties

    Fees

    Examination Information

    USMLE Step 3

    For examination information contact the:  Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc., (FSMB), 400 Fuller Wiser Road, Suite 300, Euless, TX  76039.  Phone:  817-868-4041  Email: usmle@fsmb.org or exam@fsmb.org

    NCCPA Examination

    For examination information contact:  National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), 12000 Findley Road, Suite 100, Johns Creek, GA  30097.  Phone 678-417-8100 FAX 678-417-8135 Website: www.nccpa.net

    ACNM Certification Examination

    For examination information contact:  American Midwifery Certification Board, Inc.  849 International Drive, Suite 120, Linthicum, MD  21090.  Phone number 410-694-9424; Fax number 410-694-9425.

    NCCAOM Certification Examination

    For examination information contact:  National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), 76 South Laura Street, Suite 1290, Jacksonville, FL 32202.  Phone 904-598-1005; FAX 904-598-5001.

    NBRC Certification Examination:

    For examination application information contact: National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC), 10801 Mastin Street, Suite 300, Overland Park, KS 66210. Phone 913-895-4900; Fax 913-712-9283; Website: www.nbrc.org

    Completed applications are submitted directly to the State Board of Medicine, P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA  17105-2649, FAX 717-787-7769. Fees subject to change.

    Examinations are administered as computer based tests (CBT) through the Pearson VUE.

    Contact us

    Call us

    1-833-DOS-BPOA - Available Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

    Call us

    Email us

    ST-MEDICINE@PA.GOV - Note: This mailbox is reserved for receipt of documentation specific to letters of good standing, exam information, disciplinary documents, transcripts and other education or employment verifications, and any other outside agency or related communications.

    Email us

    Mailing address

    State Board of Medicine P.O. Box 2649 Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649

    Mailing address

    Physical address

    2525 N 7th Street Harrisburg, PA 17110

    Physical address

    Get support

    To contact the Board with general or application questions or assistance related to your license, application and/or for any technical support pertaining to the PA Licensing System known as PALS, please reference the link below.

    Create a Ticket

    Please note that neither the Board/Commission, nor its staff or counsel, are permitted to provide legal advice or advisory opinions, including interpretations of the law or regulations, or any indication as to how the Board would vote on any given case or scenario.  You are invited to contact a private attorney or professional organization for advice or guidance.