It’s common for you to confront a tangle of state board rules, primary source verifications, DEA and CDS registrations, and credentialing deadlines when you relocate for medical work. You will want a relocation service that assigns a dedicated licensure specialist, tracks deadlines, and clarifies fees so you can focus on clinical obligations rather than paperwork.
Hospitals and large health systems often provide in-house relocation teams that handle state applications and hospital privileging for newly hired physicians. National physician staffing firms and recruiting companies such as AMN Healthcare, CompHealth (CHG Healthcare), Weatherby Healthcare, and Jackson & Coker typically offer full-service licensure support for permanent and locum tenens placements. Independent licensing consultants and medical-licensure attorneys can help with complex cases, international medical graduates, and appeals. Locum tenens agencies frequently speed temporary credentialing and DEA/controlled-substance registration for short-term assignments.
Top-tier support means a service will prepare a clear checklist for you, communicate time estimates for each state board action, and perform primary source verification and background checks on your behalf. You should expect help with Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) processes, Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) eligibility when available, and coordination of fingerprinting, malpractice insurance, and hospital privileging. For international physicians you will want relocation teams familiar with ECFMG files, visa documentation, and state-specific pathways.
You can evaluate providers by asking for average processing times in your target state, examples of past successful applications, and whether they assign an individual licensure coordinator. Request sample timelines and fee breakdowns up front, and verify whether the service files directly with state medical boards or only guides you through self-submission. Ask about escalation procedures when delays occur and whether they handle DEA and state controlled-substance registrations alongside the medical license.
State medical boards, FSMB resources, and the IMLC website remain imperative references you should consult in parallel with any service you hire. Gather transcripts, board certification documents, letters of recommendation, and a verified work-history timeline before you begin the application process. Expect permanent licenses to take weeks to several months, with locum or compact routes sometimes shortening that interval. Choosing a relocation partner that provides transparent timelines, hands-on licensing work, and strong references will give you the most reliable support during licensure transitions.
