State Medical Boards Directory
State medical boards are agencies that license medical doctors, investigate complaints, discipline those who violate the law, conduct physician evaluations, and facilitate rehabilitation where appropriate. Boards perform similar functions for affiliated healing arts professions which may include registered dispensing opticians, spectacle lens dispensers, contact lens dispensers, licensed midwives, and research psychoanalysts.
State medical boards provide two principal types of services to consumers: public-record information about licensed physicians, and investigation of complaints against physicians.
To inquire about a physician, consumers can call a board to find out if the doctor's license is current and renewed, and also whether there have been any administrative-related actions against the doctor. Although state medical boards are not physician-referral services and cannot direct consumers to a physician in their community, they may have some suggestions on how to select a doctor.
If a doctor has been the subject of charges, or has had administrative-related action taken, you may obtain a copy of the public-record documents from a board web site or request a copy be sent to you.
If consumers have a problem with a physician or other health professional regulated by a state medical board, a complaint can be filed. If the problem appears to be a violation of the law, the board will investigate it and, if a violation is confirmed, take legal action against the licensee.
State medical boards may offer publications to assist patients with serious medical conditions including breast and prostate cancer, dealing with inappropriate sexual behavior by physicians or other health practitioners, donating blood prior to having surgery, and other topics.
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