MICHIGAN MEDICAL DOCTOR (MD) LICENSING GUIDE
Revision Date 06/17/2024 Page 1 of 8
MICHIGAN MEDICAL DOCTOR (MD) LICENSING GUIDE
OVERVIEW:
The medical doctor license type allows a licensee to engage in the unrestricted practice of medicine.
NOTE: The content contained below is a general overview of licensing requirements. Links to access the Public
Health Code and Administrative Rules for this profession can be found at the end of this guide.
LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS CHECKLIST
APPLICATION AND FEES
Online Application for a Medical Doctor License - Complete all fields, answer all questions, and upload any
supporting documentation.
Online Application for Controlled Substance License (Optional)
Online applications can be completed by visiting www.michigan.gov/miplus
Application Fee + 3 year license fee: (Must be paid by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover
credit or debit card)
MD by Exam or Endorsement: $375.00
Controlled Substance: $259.10
THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS APPLY TO ALL APPLICANTS
If you will be prescribing, dispensing, manufacturing, or distributing controlled substances, you must apply
for both a medical doctor license and controlled substance license. You may apply for a controlled
substance license by completing the controlled substance license fields in the application. If you do not
apply for a controlled substance license on your medical doctor application, you must wait for the medical
doctor license to be issued before you may apply for a controlled substance license.
Opioids and Controlled Substances Awareness Training - An individual seeking a controlled substance
license or who is licensed to prescribe or dispense controlled substances must have completed training in
opioids and controlled substances awareness that meets the standards established in the Board of
Pharmacy Controlled Substances Administrative Rules, R 338.3135 prior to being issued a license.
Criminal Background Check – Once the online application is completed and submitted you will be emailed
an Application Confirmation letter containing instructions to complete the Criminal Background Check
(except those applicants seeking relicensure, for a license that expired within the last three years).
MICHIGAN MEDICAL DOCTOR (MD) LICENSING GUIDE
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Good Moral Character Questions – Documentation and explanation will be required if you answer “yes” to
either question to show at the current time you have the ability to, and are likely to, serve the public in a fair,
honest and open manner, that you are rehabilitated, or that the substance of the former offense is not
reasonably related to the occupation or profession for which you are seeking a license.
Human Trafficking Training – Beginning December 6, 2021, completion of a one-time training to identify
victims of human trafficking is required for individuals seeking licensure that meets the standards of
Administrative Rule 338.2413.
Implicit Bias Training– Beginning June 1, 2022, completion of 2 hours of implicit bias training within the 5
years immediately preceding issuance of the license or registration is required.
Social Security Number (SSN) – An individual applying for licensure is required to provide his or her social
security number at the time of application. If exempt under law from obtaining an SSN or you do not have
an SSN, the SSN affidavit form will be required to be uploaded at the time the application is submitted.
Verification of Licensure – Verification of licensure must be submitted directly to our office by the licensing
agency of any state of the United States or country in which you hold or ever held a license. The verification
must show that disciplinary proceedings are not pending against the applicant and sanctions are not in force
at the time of application. Verification can be emailed to bpldata@michigan.gov or mailed to the Bureau of
Professional Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909.
Professional Education – Name of school attended, and name of educational program completed.
Hospital Affiliations – Name of each hospital where you are employed or under contract along with name of
each hospital in which you are allowed to practice.
English Language Proficiency – An individual applying for licensure must demonstrate a working knowledge
of the English language. This can be established if either the applicant’s required health professional
educational program was taught in English, a transcript establishes the applicant earned not less than 60
college level credits from an English-speaking graduate or undergraduate school, or that the applicant
obtained a passing score on an approved English proficiency exam as established by the department under
R 338.7002b(2) of the Public Health Code – General Rules.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE BY EXAM FOR THOSE WHO ARE
GRADUATES OF MEDICAL SCHOOLS LOCATED IN THE UNITED STATES OR CANADA
(These are in addition to the requirements stated above that apply to ALL Applicants)
Certification of Medical Education Form – This must be submitted directly to our office from the medical
school attended and meet the standards set forth by the Board. The form can be emailed to
[email protected] or mailed to the Bureau of Professional Licensing, PO Box 30670,
Lansing, MI
48909.
USMLE Examination Scores – Verification must be sent directly to our office of your passing scores on all
steps of the USMLE.
An applicant shall not make more than 4 attempts to pass any step of the USMLE.
Score reports must be sent from the Federation of State Medical Boards by visiting their website at
www.fsmb.org.
MICHIGAN MEDICAL DOCTOR (MD) LICENSING GUIDE
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Certification of Completion of a minimum of 1 year postgraduate clinical training – The Director of Medical
Education where you completed your postgraduate training must submit the Certification of Postgraduate
Training form directly to this office by email to bpldata@michigan.gov or by mail to the Bureau of Professional
Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE BY EXAM FOR THOSE WHO ARE
GRADUATES OF FOREIGN MEDICAL SCHOOLS
(These are in addition to the requirements stated above that apply to ALL Applicants)
Verification of your Educational Commission for the Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) – Certificate must
be submitted directly to our office from the ECFMG. Please access their website at CVS ON-LINE
(ecfmg.org) for information and instructions on how to arrange for your ECFMG status report to be sent to
our office.
USMLE Examination Scores – Verification must be sent directly to our office of your passing scores on all
steps of the USMLE. An applicant shall not make more than 4 attempts to pass any step of the USMLE.
Score reports must be sent from the Federation of State Medical Boards by visiting their website at
www.fsmb.org
Certification of Completion of a minimum of 1 year postgraduate clinical training – The Director of Medical
Education where you completed your postgraduate training must submit the Certification of Postgraduate
Training form directly to this office by email to bpldata@michigan.gov or by mail to the Bureau of Professional
Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT FOR THOSE LICENSED
TO PRACTICE MEDICINE AT LEAST 10 YEARS PRIOR TO THE
FILING DATE OF THEIR APPLICATION
(Applies to those licensed in another state or the province of Canada)
(These are in addition to the requirements stated above that apply to ALL Applicants)
Must hold an active license in good standing as a doctor of medicine in another state or in a province of
Canada for a minimum of 10 years. Verification of licensure must be submitted directly to our office by the
licensing agency of any state of the United States or country in which you hold or ever held a license. The
verification must show that disciplinary proceedings are not pending against the applicant and sanctions are
not in force at the time of application. Verification can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to
the Bureau of Professional Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI
MICHIGAN MEDICAL DOCTOR (MD) LICENSING GUIDE
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ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT FOR THOSE LICENSED
TO PRACTICE MEDICINE LESS THAN 10 YEARS PRIOR TO THE
FILING DATE OF THEIR APPLICATION
(Applies to those licensed in another state or Canada)
(These are in addition to the requirements stated above that apply to ALL Applicants)
Certification of completion of a minimum of 1 year postgraduate clinical training – The Director of Medical
Education where you completed your postgraduate training must submit the Certification of Postgraduate
Training form directly to this office by email to bpldata@michigan.gov or by mail to the Bureau of Professional
Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909.
Verification of the completion of the educational requirements for a medical doctor license in a province of
Canada or another state to obtain licensure as a medical doctor in a province of Canada or another state.
Verification can be emailed to bpldata@michigan.gov or mailed to the Bureau of Professional Licensing at
PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909.
Proof verifying passing scores on either of the following examinations:
USMLE Examination Scores – Verification must be sent directly to our office of your passing scores on
all steps of the USMLE. An applicant shall not make more than 4 attempts to pass any step of the
USMLE. Score reports must be sent from the Federation of State Medical Boards by visiting their
website at www.fsmb.org.
Part I of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE).
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE WHO HOLD A CURRENT CLINICAL ACADEMIC
LIMITED LICENSE AND ARE APPLYING FOR FULL MEDICAL DOCTOR LICENSURE
(These are in addition to the requirements stated above that apply to ALL Applicants)
Must be actively engaged in the practice of medicine for not less than 10 years after completing the
requirements for a degree in medicine located outside the United States or Canada.
Certification of completion of not less than 3 years postgraduate clinical training in an institution that has an
affiliation with a medical school that is listed in a directory of medical schools published by the World Health
Organization (WHO). The Director of Medical Education where you completed your postgraduate training
must submit the Certification of Postgraduate Training form directly to this office by email to
or by mail to the Bureau of Professional Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI
48909.
USMLE Examination Scores –Verification must be sent directly to our office of your passing scores on all
parts of the USMLE. An applicant shall not make more than 4 attempts to pass any step of the USMLE.
Score reports must be sent from the Federation of State Medical Boards by visiting their website at
www.fsmb.org.
MICHIGAN MEDICAL DOCTOR (MD) LICENSING GUIDE
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Certification of Practice in an Academic Institution – The certification form must be submitted directly to this
office by the Director of Medical Education where you practiced under the Clinical Academic license. You
must have practiced under this license for at least 2 years immediately preceding the application for a full
license and during that time have functioned at least 800 hours per year in the observation and treatment of
patients.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE WHO WERE GRANTED A CLINICAL ACADEMIC
LIMITED LICENSE AFTER JANUARY 1, 2011, BUT BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2017, AND ARE
APPLYING FOR FULL MEDICAL DOCTOR LICENSURE
(These are in addition to the requirements stated above that apply to ALL Applicants)
Must be actively engaged in the practice of medicine for not less than 10 years after completing the
requirements for a degree in medicine located outside the United States or Canada.
Certification of completion of not less than 3 years postgraduate clinical training in an institution that has an
affiliation with a medical school that is listed in a directory of medical schools published by the World Health
Organization (WHO). The Director of Medical Education where you completed your postgraduate training
must submit the Certification of Postgraduate Training form directly to this office by email to
[email protected] or mail to the Bureau of Professional Licensing, PO Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909.
Have continuously held a license to practice medicine from March 27, 2019, through the date of application
for a full medical license in Michigan.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE APPLYING FOR RELICENSURE
(These are in addition to the requirements stated above that apply to All Applicants)
Online application can be completed by visiting www.michigan.gov/miplus, select MiPLUS Login, select
“Modification” next to your license number and this will start the relicensure process.
Application Fee + 3 year license fee: (Must be paid by Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover
credit or debit card)
MD Relicensure: $395.00
Controlled Substance: $259.10
All relicensure applicants must complete the following:
Submit proof to the department of accumulating not less than 150 hours of Board approved continuing
education during the 3 years immediately preceding the date of the application for relicensure. Of the 150
hours a minimum of 1 hour in medical ethics must be earned. A minimum of 3 hours in pain and symptom
management and at least 1 of the 3 hours must include controlled substances prescribing.
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Applicants for relicensure whose license has lapsed for 3 years but less than 5 years preceding the date
of application for relicensure must complete the above requirement listed for all relicensure applicants
along with EITHER of the following requirements:
Presents proof to the department that he or she is actively licensed and in good standing as a medical doctor
in another state.
Completes 1 of the following during the 3 years immediately preceding the date of the application for
relicensure:
Takes and passes the Special Purpose Examination (SPEX) offered by the FSMB.
Successfully completes a Board approved postgraduate training program. *
Successfully completes a physician re-entry program that is accredited by the Coalition for
Physician Enhancement or affiliated with a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee
on Medical Education. *
Applicants for relicensure whose license has lapsed for 5 years or more preceding the date of application
for relicensure must complete the above requirement listed for all relicensure applicants along with
EITHER of the following requirements:
Presents evidence to the department that he or she is actively licensed and in good standing as a medical
doctor in another state.
Complete BOTH of the following during the 3 years immediately preceding the date of the application for
relicensure:
Takes and passes the Special Purpose Examination (SPEX) offered by the FSMB.
Successfully completes 1 of the following:
o A Board approved postgraduate training program. *
o A physician re-entry program that is accredited by the Coalition for Physician
Enhancement or affiliated with a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on
Medical Education. *
* If you are an applicant for relicensure and need to complete a board approved post-graduate training program
or a physician re-entry program, you may apply and be granted an educational limited license for the sole purpose
of completing that training.
RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS CHECKLIST
Online Application for Medical Doctor Renewal and Controlled Substance License Renewal – Must be
completed by visiting www.michigan.gov/miplus.
MD Renewal Application Fee: $314.40 (Must be paid by Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover
credit or debit card)
MICHIGAN MEDICAL DOCTOR (MD) LICENSING GUIDE
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Controlled Substance Renewal Application Fee: $248.10 (if applicable)
Renewal Cycle: 3 years
Good Moral Character Questions – Documentation and explanation will be required if you answer “yes” to
either question to show at the current time you have the ability to, and are likely to, serve the public in a fair,
honest and open manner, that you are rehabilitated, or that the substance of the former offense is not
reasonably related to the occupation or profession for which you are seeking license renewal.
Disciplinary Question - Documentation will be required if you answer “yes” to having sanctions imposed
against you by a similar licensure, registration, certification, or disciplinary board of another state or country
you have not previously reported to the department.
Human Trafficking Training – Beginning with the 2017 renewal cycle and all renewal cycles thereafter,
licensees seeking renewal must certify on their renewal application that prior to renewing their license they
have completed a one-time training in identifying victims of human trafficking that meets the standards in
Administrative Rule 338.2413.
Implicit Bias Training – For initial renewals completed after June 1, 2021, completion of one hour of implicit
bias training is required for each year of licensure since June 1, 2021. If renewing prior to June 1, 2022, implicit
bias training is not required for that renewal. Once the initial renewal is completed, then 1 hour of implicit bias
training will be required for each year of the current license cycle going forward. Please note, this is not a
one-time training and must be completed for each renewal cycle prior to the renewal being completed.
Opioids and Controlled Substances Awareness Training – By the end of the renewal cycle that begins after
January 4, 2019, all controlled substance licensees or individuals who are licensed to prescribe or dispense
controlled substances must certify on their renewal application prior to renewing their license that they have
completed training in opioids and controlled substance awareness that meets the standards established in
Administrative Rule 338.3135.
Hospital Affiliations – Name of each hospital where you are employed or under contract along with name of
each hospital in which you are allowed to practice.
Accept Renewal Attestation - By accepting the renewal attestation you as the licensee are certifying that you
have met the continuing education requirements during the renewal period and all information provided on
your renewal application is true and correct:
If licensed during the full 3-year renewal cycle:
150 hours of continuing medical education in courses or programs approved by the board of which
a minimum 75 hours of the required 150 hours earned in courses or programs designated as
Category 1 programs.
A minimum of 3 hours of continuing education earned in the area of pain and symptom
management. At least 1 of the 3 hours must include controlled substance prescribing.
A minimum of 1 hour of continuing education earned in the area of medical ethics.
MICHIGAN MEDICAL DOCTOR (MD) LICENSING GUIDE
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HELPFUL RESOURCES AND FORMS
By visiting www.michigan.gov/healthlicense and clicking on the medicine link you can access the following
helpful resources and forms:
Resources:
Public Health Code
Administrative Rules for Medicine
Track continuing education using CE broker – The Bureau of Professional Licensing (BPL) has
partnered with CE Broker to help licensed professionals keep track of their continuing education
(CE) credits. Additional information can be found on our website.
Forms:
Certificate of Completion of Postgraduate Training
Certification of Medical Education of Medical Schools in U.S
Certification of Postgraduate Training for Clinical Academic Limited License Holders Seeking Full
Licensure
Certification of Practice in an Academic Institution
