The Federation Credentials Verification System (FCVS) is a valuable resource for physicians applying for licensure in the following states: Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, the Virgin Islands, and Wyoming.
An FCVS profile verifies your credentials that never change, such as your medical school, internships, residency, board scores, etc. These verifications are kept in a portfolio that can be accessed by you, the physician, and any designated licensing boards that may require them as part of their medical license application process. The following credentials are included in your FCVS profile:
- Identity
- Medical education verification
- Postgraduate training verification
- Exam scores
- ECFMG and/or Fifth Pathway
- Board actions
- American Board of Medical Specialties Certification
How does a physician create an FCVS profile?
First, the physician must visit www.fsmb.org and complete the new user registration process. This process only takes a few minutes and requires some basic information, such as date of birth, address, email address, and Social Security Number. Once a profile has been created, the physician needs to complete the FCVS application, which is similar to an online job application, with a few extra steps. One of those extra steps is identity verification. FCVS requires the physician to provide either a certified birth certificate or an original passport. Physicians can obtain a certified copy of their birth certificate from either the town/city hall of their birthplace or via an online ordering system such as VitalChek Express Certificate Service. If the physician chooses to instead provide a valid original passport, FCVS charges extra to cover the cost of sending it back to the physician via overnight delivery.
The licensing department at Barton Associates will help you figure out which identity verification option is best for you. Other FCVS application requirements include copies of the physician’s medical school diploma and any post-graduate training certificates. These copies may be sent by mail or uploaded electronically. In addition, the FCVS requires completion of the Authorization for Release of Information and Affidavit and Release forms.
- Authorization for Release of Information
- Requires a physician’s signature and date only
- All other information is pre-populated by the FCVS system (physician should not fill in any other areas)
- Affidavit and Release
- Requires a physician’s signature and date
- Requires a passport-type color photograph of the physician be attached
- Must be notarized by an official notary (if the physician is unsure of notaries in the area, our licensing team will be happy to assist in finding one.)
How long does FCVS take?
Completing an FCVS application online can take up to an hour or so, depending on the availability of the physician’s credentialing information. The cost of sending an initial FCVS application to a medical board is $395 for a physician and $170 for a PA. If a physician has an existing FCVS application, it costs $95 to send it to a state licensing board, and $35 for PAs. The turnaround time for an initial FCVS application to be completed and reach a state medical board varies. Here at Barton, we will make sure it is expedited as quickly as possible, typically around 45 days or less. If a physician or PA has an existing FCVS application, it typically takes about three weeks to reach the medical board.
The FCVS process can be a long one, but here in the Barton Associates licensing department, our goal is to have your licensing process go as smoothly as possible. We will work with you and FCVS to ensure a speedy turnaround time. It can be tricky maneuvering through in the licensing jungle, but we are here to help every step of the way!
