To practice medicine within the United States, a physician must be recognized by the state medical board (or designee) of the state within which they wish to practice and issued a license to practice within that state. Application to each state’s medical board, which may be initiated online, requires an extensive application, supporting documentation and other integral materials. The intricacy of each license application, fees and time to issuance vary from state to state. Also, certain states require proof of professional liability coverage to obtain and maintain licensure. Also keep in mind that certain states may maintain separate Allopathic and Osteopathic Boards of Medicine.

Various resources are available that have standardized the application process for certain states. The Federation of State Medical Boards offers the "Federation Credentials Verification Service" which offers a repository to store verified core credentials for submission to state medical boards. Another resource is the "Interstate Medical Licensure Compact" which is “an agreement among participating U.S. states and territories to work together to significantly streamline the licensing process for physicians who want to practice in multiple states. It offers a voluntary, expedited pathway to licensure for physicians who qualify.”

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