Physician Licensing and Credentialing Timeline
Cortney Ikpe
Key Takeaways
- Physicians who have yet to find a practice should be aware that although it typically takes six months for licensing, it can take longer than that in some states. If you desire to practice in another state, licensing can cause a considerable delay and cost to you.
- Some of the more difficult states to get licensed in include: Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Massachusetts.
- Credentialing to practice is often delayed until the applicant has a valid license in the state. After this, it usually takes 3 to 4 months to finishing credentialing, but can also vary by health system or organization.
- Most insurance providers require credentialing to be paid for the services that are rendered to patients. This credentialing also requires a state license, background checks, and references.