An individual with a provisional or limited license is able to practice medicine only in a supervised setting in an approved residency training program. Approximately half of the states require provisional or limited licensure. Once you know where you will be going for your residency, begin the licensure process if you will need a provisional or limited license. This process often takes several months. The majority of the boards use a school certification form on which the medical school is asked to certify that you have completed degree requirements and been awarded the M.D. degree.
Many states require a certified copy of the diploma in addition.
Contact your medical school registrar's office regarding these documents. All states require an official copy of your medical school transcript. You will receive the school certification form, the transcript request form, and the request for a certified diploma from the State Board and are asked to give it to the registrar for completion. If you have any questions about the licensure process, your medical school registrar is the best person with whom to talk. In completing licensure forms, it is critical for your responses to be totally accurate and honest.