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Glossary of Terms

5th Pathway

There are 3 5th Pathway programs: New York Medical College in New York, Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico and Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York.


ABMS

American Board of Medical Specialties: Most boards want a copy of your ABMS Certificate(s). Some want verification directly from the ABMS. Check the individual boards for associated fees. 2002 and later must re-certify every 10 years.


ACGME

Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education: Only ACGME approved Post Graduate Training is accepted by the medical boards.


AMA

The American Medical Association: Many boards require a copy of your AMA Certificate. Some require an AMA Profile. Profiles are free to AMA members and cost $31 for non-members.


AMA PRA

American Medical Association Physicians Recognition Award: Many boards will accept this in lieu of the SPEX exam or board certification or re-certification within the past 10 years. The PRA may be obtained from the AMA at a cost of $35 for members and $70 for non-members.


AOA

American Osteopathic Association: Many boards require a copy of your AOA Certificate. Some require an AOA Profile. Profiles are $13 over the internet.


CDS

Controlled Dangerous Substance


Certified to be True

Take your original documents to a Notary. Have them write "Certified to be True Copy of the Original" on the copy and Notarize.


CME

Continuing Medical Education: Many states require CME hours for licensure. See State Profiles for more information.


COMLEX

Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination:


COMVEX

Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Variable Purpose Exam:


Direct Source Credential Verification

Verification of your credentials; such as, Medical Education, Post Graduate Training, State Medical License, Employment, Staff Privileges, ect. The verification must be sent directly from the source to the state board.


ECFMG

Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates: The ECFMG administers the USMLE exam as well as the ECFMG Clinical Assessment. All Foreign Medical Graduates (FMG')s must have a valid ECFMG Certificate to qualify for any of the state boards.


FCVS

Federation Credentialling Verification Service: The FCVS is an organization in connection with the Federation of State Medical Boards that collects and retains your core credentials (Undergraduate Education, Medical Education, PGT, Exams, ECFMG, Birth Certificate or Passport).


FEMGEMS

Foreign Medical Graduate Exam in the Medical Sciences


Fifth Pathway

There are 3 5th Pathway programs: New York Medical College in New York, Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico and Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York.


FLEX

Federation Licensing Examination: Verification obtained from the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB). $50 for up to 2 verifications.


FMG

Foreign Medical Graduate: Refers to any physician who graduated from a medical school outside of the US or Canada. All FMG's are required to be certified through the ECFMG.


FSMB

Federation of State Medical Boards: The Federation houses USMLE, FLEX & SPEX Exam scores and provides the Federation Discipline Report. They are also associated with the FCVS.


GME

Graduate Medical Education: Generally refers to Post Graduate Training. The GME office in hospitals usually verifies PGT.


LMCC

Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada: There is a $85 charge to verify LMCC.


MCC

Medical Council of Canada


NBME

National Board of Medical Examiners: Verifies NBME scores $50 each.


NBOME

National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners: Verifies NBOME Scores $50 each.


NBPME

National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners: Verifies NBPME scores for $35.


NICA Fee

Neurological Injury Compensation Association: The FL board requires anywhere from $250-$5000 unless exempt. NICA Exemptions: 1)physicians and interns in postgraduate training programs approved by the Board of Medicine; 2) retired physicians who maintain a license but who have withdrawn


NPDB/HIPDB

National Practitioners Data Bank/Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank. The NPDB/HIPDB collects and verifies any malpractice claims or disciplinary action. They charge $16 total for a report.


PGT

Post Graduate Training: Must be ACGME Approved and performed within the US.


SBE

State Board Exam: Many states will not accept a State Board Exam or they have restrictions such as not Puerto Rico or Florida or only if taken before a certain date.


SPEX

Special Purpose Exam: Many board require this exam to qualify. It can be taken online at www.fsmb.org.


USMLE

United States Medical Licensing Examination. $50 to verify.