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Colorado Medical Board: Medical Professional FAQs

Physicians

Information on Applications & Requirements

Q: How long will it take to process my application?

A: It takes approximately 8-10 weeks after submitting the application. The time will vary depending upon how extensive the past work history is; how many licenses are held in other states, territories, districts or countries; and if any convictions or malpractice claims are reported. Please allow the Board time for processing. You can speed the process by making sure you have read and followed directions, and submitted all supporting documents to the Board as quickly as possible, in accordance with the directions set forth in the application packet.

Q: What documents must be original, i.e., not sent to the Board by fax?

A: The Board accepts only the originals of the application, the NPDB-HIPDB report, exam scores, and the report of practice history form.

Q: What years must be listed on the report of practice history form?

A: If you are applying for an original license, begin your history with your internship and continue through to the present. Account for all time in between. If you are applying to reinstate an expired license or reactivate an inactive license, you need only supply history for the most recent two (2) years.

Q: What information should be supplied on the letters verifying employment history?

A: If you are applying for an original license, the beginning and end dates of your employment as well as an assessment of the quality of your work for the most recent five years of practice history. If you are applying to reinstate an expired license or reactivate an inactive license, you need only supply verification for the most recent two (2) years.

Information on International Medical School Graduates
  • M.D., D.O., or M.B.B.S. degree
  • Passage of the ECFMG exam
  • Passage of either of the National Boards exam, a state written exam, the FLEX exam, the USMLE exam, or a combination of the FLEX, National Boards and USMLE
  • Completion of three years of clinical-based postgraduate training in the U.S. or Canada at an approved training program
  • Malpractice Insurance 
Information on Ceasing Practice or Retirement

Q: What does the Board require when a physician retires and/or ceases practice in Colorado?

A: The Board suggests that the physicians contact their malpractice insurance carriers and any medical societies in which they hold membership for any guidelines on closing practice. The Medical Board does not have a "retired" license status, but the physician may wish to place his/her license in the "inactive" category during the next renewal period. For additional guidelines regarding closing a practice, please see Policy 40-7, Guidelines pertaining to the Release of Medical Records; and Policy 40-8, Guidelines for Closure of, or Departure from a Medical Practice on the Laws, Rules and Policies page.

Information on Expired Licenses from Other States

Q: Do I need to supply information from other states if the license I held there has expired?

A: Yes, if you are a first-time applicant to the State of Colorado. If you are applying for reinstatement of an expired license or reactivation of an inactive license, you only need to provide this information from those states in which you hold an active license.

Information on National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Reports

Q: How can I facilitate the Board's receipt of NPDB reports?

A: Effective November 22, 1999, there are two federal data banks containing information regarding physicians and other health care providers. All self-queries will be submitted to both data banks. A $10 fee will be assessed for querying each data bank, for a total of $20. Fees must be paid for by credit card (VISA, MasterCard or Discover). All self-queries must be submitted on the self-query form located on the NPDB website.

The NPDB does NOT send the reports directly to the Board but rather releases the information to the applicant. When you receive the reports, please send them immediately to the Board's Office of Licensing.

Information on the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) Reports

Q: Does the Board request the FSMB report on my behalf?

A: No. You must fill out the request form included with the application packet and forward it directly to FSMB.

Physician Assistants

Information on Applications & Requirements

Q: How long will it take to process my application?

A: It takes approximately 8-10 weeks after submitting the application. This time will vary depending upon how extensive the past work history is, how many licenses/certificates are held in other states, territories, districts or counties, and if any convictions or malpractice claims are reported. Please give the Board staff time to do its job. You can speed the process by making sure you have read and followed directions and all supporting documents are submitted to the Board as quickly as possible, in accordance with the directions set forth in the application packet.

Q: Do I need to submit the application fee at the same time I make the application?

A: Yes, applications will not be processed without the proper application fee.

Q: Can I get a temporary license issued while I wait for my application to be processed?

A: No, we do not have a temporary license status while your application is being processed. Colorado law does not provide for a temporary license. If you are qualified to be licensed as a physician assistant in the State of Colorado, you must obtain your license prior to working. If you are applying to reinstate or reactivate your license to practice, you must complete the process prior to providing medical service in Colorado. Colorado law does not permit you to work as a physician extender because you are qualified to be licensed as a physician assistant.

Please refer to Colorado Medical Board Policy 20-13 on the Laws, Rules and Policies page.

Q: What information should be supplied on the letters verifying employment history?

A: The beginning and end dates of your employment as well as an assessment of the quality of your work by two physicians who have worked with you during the past two years.

Q: Do these reference letters need to be written by physicians?

A: Yes.

Information on Physician Assistant Rule 1.15 Waivers

Q: How do I apply for a waiver of Physician Assistant Rule 1.15?

A: To apply for a waiver of Physician Assistant Rule 1.15, please submit your request and any supporting documents to dora_medicalboard@state.co.us.

Information on the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) Reports 

Q: Does the Board request the FSMB report on my behalf?

A: No. You must fill out the form enclosed with the application packet and forward it directly to FSMB.

Information on the Federation Credential Verification Service (FCVS)

Q: If I utilize the Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS), what other documents must I provide in addition to what FCVS sends directly to the Board?

A: Please inform the Board if you plan to use FCVS. You should provide the following documents:

Letters of Recommendation from two (2) physicians who are familiar with your practice. Verification from each licensing agency of all jurisdictions, including education or temporary permits.

Information on Primary Supervising Physicians

Q: Do I have to have a Primary Supervising Physician in order to hold an active license?

A: Yes. If your license is approved prior to the registration of your primary supervising physician, you will have 180 days from the approval date in which to do so. Failure to register a primary supervising physician within 180 days will result in your license being placed in an inactive status. If you do not register a primary supervising physician within 180 days, you will need to apply for reactivation of your license prior to practicing.

Q: How do I register a new Primary Supervising Physician?

A: If you have obtained a primary physician supervisor and submitted the registration form prior to the approval of your application for licensure, the primary supervising physician will be registered at the time of licensure and an active license will be issued.

If you do not have a primary supervising physician prior to the approval of your application for licensure, the license will be issued in an ACTIVE-Pending supervisor registration status. You are allowed by Board Policy 20-9 to remain in a pending status for 180 days. If you do not register a primary supervising physician within 180 days, the license will convert to an INACTIVE status. No refund of fees will be issued if you fail to register a primary supervising physician within 180 days. You must then submit an application for reactivation and a reactivation fee.

To register a new primary supervising physician, use the Primary Supervising Physician Registration Form and check the option "New registration of a primary physician supervisor."

Q: How do I register an additional Primary Supervising Physician?

A: If you practice with more than one employer (paid or volunteer), you must have a primary supervising physician registered for every employer. There is no limit to the number of primary supervising physicians a physician assistant may have.

To register an additional primary supervising physician, use the Primary Supervising Physician Registration Form and check the option, "Additional primary physician supervisor." 

Q: How do I change a Primary Supervising Physician?

A: If you have changed employers, you need to rescind the previous primary supervising physician and then register the new primary supervising physician. Use the Primary Supervising Physician Registration Form and check the option, "Change of primary physician supervisor, replacing Dr. ________ (insert name of rescinded physician)." 

Q: How do I rescind a Primary Supervising Physician?

A: If the relationship between a primary supervising physician and physician assistant has terminated, either the primary supervising physician or physician assistant must rescind the relationship in writing. The letter of rescission should be addressed to the Colorado Medical Board.