Tips for Streamlined Licensing and Credentialing

     When working locum tenens assignments, you may be required to fill out multiple credentialing applications for the different facilities in which you plan to work. Every hospital or clinic has their own credentialing process; however, many will require some of the same documents. Below are some of the standard documents you will need for credentialing in almost every facility.

1. Copies of Licenses, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration, as well as your Controlled Substance Registration (CSR): Make sure to have all your currently held licenses ready as well as all those you have previously held.
2. Copies of schooling certificates: Be sure to include your undergraduate degree, medical degree, as well as any post graduate training such as internships and residency programs.
3. Educational Commission Foreign Medical Graduate (ECFMG): If applicable.
4. CV, updated: Facilities like to see CVs that are up-to-date and in a month/year format. Make sure all gaps in time on your CV are accounted for (since medical school) to side-step any possible hiccups in the credentialing process and to help ensure a faster credentialing time.
5. Board certification: If applicable. Be sure to provide proof of your board certification, or proof of plans to take the boards (such as a registration confirmation).
6. TB Test: Physicians and other hospital employees are often required to be tested for TB annually, so have the most recent results available.
7. Photo of yourself: The picture needs to be of you by yourself.
8. Copy of driver’s license or passport.
9. Uniform application for physician credentialing: This applies to certain facilities in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.
10. Proof of completed Continuing Medical Education (CME): Include records for at least the previous two years.
11. Detailed explanation for any background issues including malpractice claims and payouts, suspended or revoked licenses, etc: Blemishes on your record do not necessarily mean you will not be able to be credentialed. Being honest up front about any background issues is better than having a hospital or facility find out by doing their own digging!
12. Miscellaneous Certifications: This could include Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), etc.

     Finding and preparing all of these documents can be a time consuming and overwhelming. It is a good idea to compile all of the pertinent information and have it in a central location for future credentialing or licensing.
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Megan Hernandez is part of the Operations team at Medestar.
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