AmericanMedicalBoards.com
Updated

Medical license requirements by state

Minimum residency for U.S./Canadian graduates and IMGs in every state and DC. Select a state for its full page, or see them all on the interactive map.

Northeast

Midwest

South

West

All states side by side

Minimum accredited postgraduate training for a full MD license, physician supply and alternative IMG pathways. Sort and filter on the home page table; compare pay on the jobs map.

StateUS/Canadian gradsIMGsPhysicians / 100kDemand rankNotes
Alabama AL1 yr2 yrs224.08
Alaska AK2 yrs3 yrs287.230
Arizona AZ1 yr2 yrs252.020IMGs without ECFMG certification need 3 years (after a Fifth Pathway year).
Arkansas AR1 yr3 yrs215.45Alt. IMG pathIMG minimum drops to 1 year for residents enrolled in an Arkansas program or board certified. SB 601 (2025) adds a provisional license for practicing foreign physicians hired in shortage areas.
California CA3 yrs3 yrs287.83136 months of board-approved training for all applicants since 2020; at least 24 continuous months in one program. Residents must hold a Postgraduate Training License.
Colorado CO1 yr1 yr294.434
Connecticut CT2 yrs2 yrs364.045
Delaware DE1 yr3 yrs292.732
District of Columbia DC1 yr3 yrs——IMG credit possible for applicants licensed in another state or board certified.
Florida FL1 yr2 yrs273.926Alt. IMG pathIMGs from a WHO-listed school certified by the board may need only 1 year. SB 7016 (2024) creates a provisional license for experienced foreign physicians with a Florida job offer.
Georgia GA1 yr3 yrs236.113IMGs from board-approved schools need 1 year; board certification can satisfy the 3-year rule. SB 427 (2026) enacts a provisional license for internationally trained physicians, effective only once funded.
Hawaii HI1 yr2 yrs321.941
Idaho ID1 yr2 yrs196.11Alt. IMG pathIdaho residents who contract to finish an Idaho program can be licensed after 1 year. H 542 (2024) provisional license for foreign-trained physicians.
Illinois IL2 yrs2 yrs292.933Alt. IMG pathSB 1298 limited license for foreign-licensed physicians; full license after 4+ years including shortage-area practice.
Indiana IN1 yr2 yrs236.414Alt. IMG pathBoard may waive the second IMG year. HB 1555 (2025) limited license in underserved areas.
Iowa IA1 yr2 yrs223.67Alt. IMG pathSF 477 (2023) provisional license for IMGs with 5+ years of practice; full license after 3 years.
Kansas KS3 yrs3 yrs236.01236 months for anyone graduating on or after Jan 1, 2021 (12 months for earlier accredited graduates).
Kentucky KY2 yrs2 yrs235.611Alt. IMG pathSB 137 (2026) provisional license converts to full after 3 years with a sponsor.
Louisiana LA2 yrs3 yrs270.125Alt. IMG pathHB 972 (2024) license for foreign-trained physicians employed by Louisiana hospitals; HB 1160 (2026) adds a restricted rural license.
Maine ME3 yrs3 yrs331.74436 months for graduates after July 1, 2004. Waivers available for some licensed IMGs.
Maryland MD1 yr2 yrs393.549
Massachusetts MA2 yrs3 yrs466.050Alt. IMG pathH 5100 (2024) limited then restricted license, leading to full licensure after 3–6 years.
Michigan MI1 yr1 yr300.836
Minnesota MN1 yr1 yr312.439Alt. IMG pathHF 2 (2025) two-year limited license in rural or underserved areas, then full license.
Mississippi MS1 yr3 yrs196.82IMGs who are ABMS board certified may qualify with 1 year and board approval.
Missouri MO1 yr3 yrs298.135IMG training requirement can be waived if specialty-board eligible.
Montana MTFull residency3 yrs257.321Board requires completion of an approved residency for U.S. graduates. IMGs need 3 years or specialty board certification.
Nebraska NE1 yr2 yrs249.217Alt. IMG pathLB 1212 (2026) provisional → transitional → full license over 6 years (operative Aug 2027).
Nevada NV3 yrs3 yrs218.56Alt. IMG pathResidents with 24 months may be licensed if they commit in writing to finish. SB 124 (2025) limited license for foreign-licensed physicians.
New Hampshire NH2 yrs2 yrs322.942
New Jersey NJ2 + contract2 + contract313.3402 years plus a signed contract for a third year in an accredited program.
New Mexico NM2 yrs2 yrs251.319
New York NY1 yr3 yrs389.448Training abroad may count pro rata toward the IMG requirement.
North Carolina NC1 yr2 yrs263.623Alt. IMG pathHB 67 (2025) employee license for internationally trained physicians at rural facilities.
North Dakota ND1 yr30 months239.616IMGs need 30 months, or 1 year plus board certification or SPEX.
Ohio OH1 yr2 yrs302.337
Oklahoma OK1 yr1 yr209.63Alt. IMG pathHB 2050 (2025) limited license for IMGs employed by a teaching facility.
Oregon OR1 yr3 yrs311.238Alt. IMG pathSB 476 (2025) provisional license with four years of supervised practice.
Pennsylvania PA2 yrs3 yrs328.543IMGs from an accredited foreign school need 2 years; otherwise 3.
Rhode Island RI2 yrs2 yrs383.546Alt. IMG pathInternational physician registration pathway enacted 2025.
South Carolina SC1 yr3 yrs236.9151 year for IMGs licensed 5+ years in another state.
South Dakota SDFull residencyFull residency250.318Completion of a graduate medical education program of at least 2 years.
Tennessee TN1 yr3 yrs259.022Alt. IMG pathSB 1451 provisional license; full license after 2 years in good standing. SB 2366 (2026) replaces it with a provisional training license from January 2027.
Texas TX1 yr2 yrs231.710Alt. IMG pathHB 2038 (2025) provisional license for internationally trained physicians.
Utah UT1 yr2 yrs224.59
Vermont VT2 yrs3 yrs386.247Canadian GME not accepted for IMGs. S 142 (2026) creates an IMG pathway; provisional licenses begin July 2028.
Virginia VA1 yr2 yrs268.024Alt. IMG pathHB 995 (2024) provisional license; full license after about 4 years.
Washington WA2 yrs2 yrs285.429Alt. IMG pathClinical experience license and 2026 pilot program create a route to full licensure.
West Virginia WV1 yr2 yrs274.227Alt. IMG pathHB 5458 (2026) license for ITPs with U.S. fellowship training.
Wisconsin WI2 yrs2 yrs274.428Alt. IMG pathAB 954 (2024) provisional license; full license after 3 years.
Wyoming WY2 yrs2 yrs211.741 year with ABMS board certification or 5 years of licensure elsewhere.