We are seeing an increase in the number of states that require FBI and state criminal background checks.This usually includes getting fingerprinted, which can take six to eight weeks.When you are working with a scheduler and considering locum tenens positions, please keep this in mind.
Another trend we have seen is an increase in the number of boards requiring physicians to complete a profile. This can usually be done via the Internet, but some states (like Tennessee) have a paper Mandatory Physician Profile.It is very important to complete these profiles. Your locum tenens or permanent medical license in a state can be compromised if you do not complete or update your profile by a certain deadline.Please pay close attention to all correspondence you receive from medical boards so you don’t accidentally miss a deadline.Your VISTA licensing team will help with this when you work locum tenens assignment through us.
Most boards are going to online applications.Some allow you more than one day to complete your permanent or locum tenens license application. Others, like Texas, require that you complete your application and submit it in one session.
The National Practitioner Data Bank has been around now for a while; however, boards are adding this to their licensure requirements.North Carolina just added this to their licensure requirements this year.
MOC – Maintenance of Certification is now the term used in place of recertification.Physicians becoming board certified in their specialty will no longer be granted a board certification for life.MOC is a more involved process then the old recertification.Physicians must still take a written exam and maintain current CME credits.Each board explains their MOC program on their website.It is important to brush up on this for your specialty because some boards have a “Ten Year Rule” requiringphysicians who are board certified for life to either be recertified (MOC) or take the SPEX.(The Ten Year Rule: If it has been 10 years or more since you had a licensing exam (NBME, NBOME, FLEX, USMLE , State Exam or board certification exam, you will need to take the SPEX or recertify.)Not all states have the Ten Year Rule, so it pays to stay on top of the issue.)