Incoming Resident and Fellow License Information

Congratulations and welcome to The University of Kentucky! 

This guide outlines the Kentucky medical licensure requirements for incoming residents and fellows. Please review this information carefully. If licensure is required, you are responsible for beginning the application process as early as possible to avoid delays in your start date.

Licensure Contact Information

UK GME Licensure Contacts

Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure (KBML) Contacts

Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS)

PGY-1 Residents (With less than 12 months of training)

Incoming PGY-1 residents who will have less than 12 months of training completed by their start date are not required or eligible to obtain a Kentucky Training License.

• Licensure forms are completed during the GME Orientation. 
• The GME office facilitates the application process and mails your KBML paperwork in the spring prior to your PGY-2 year. Please watch for these instructions via e-mail.
• You will be issued your initial training license at the board meeting before your PGY-2 training year.

For additional licensure information, please visit the KBML website: Apply For A License - Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure

Incoming Residents with 12 Months of Accredited Training Completed

Initial Residency Training License

This License pathway applies to:

• PGY-2 residents, or
• Residents who have completed between 12-24 months of accredited postgraduate training and have passing USMLE/COMLEX parts 1-2 or USMLE/COMLEX parts 1-3.

IMPORTANT:

• Incoming PGY-2+ residents who will have 24 or more months of training completed by your start date and passing USMLE/COMLEX parts 1-3, should instead follow the instructions in the 'Incoming Residents and Fellows with 24 or More months of training' section. 

To obtain your initial Kentucky Training License, you must complete the application processes through both KBML and FCVS outlined below. 

KBML Application Instructions:

• Create an online account with KBML: eBusiness: Login (ky.gov) 

  • Select "Create an Account". 
  • Username Format: Last name + first initial (Example: SmithJ)
  • Password: Last four digits of your SSN

• Complete the Online Application- Select 'Apply for a License'

• Pay the Application Fee- Submit the $75 application fee online after completing your application.

• Complete the Printable Application Forms from your KBML Account (will need to be notarized and mailed)

  • Program Director Approval Form- the GME office will work with your program to complete and submit on your behalf

• Mail the paper forms to KBML:

  • Mail to: Kentucky Board Of Medical Licensure - 310 Whittington Parkway, Suite 1B, Louisville, KY 40222    

•      6. Submit an FCVS Credentialing Application (See detailed Instructions below).                                                                                                                                                                                                 

• For more information, visit the KBML website: Apply For A License - Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure
• If you need copies of the Initial Residency Forms or assistance, contact GME: GMEAdmin@uky.edu 

FCVS Credentialing Application Instructions:

IMPORTANT: 

• FCVS processing typically takes 6-8 weeks. Delays in completing this step may impact your ability to obtain your Kentucky training license.
• If you are applying for your initial license for your upcoming PGY-2 training year- Do not submit your FCVS application before April 1 or before 90 days of completing your current PGY-1 year. KBML cannot accept your FCVS profile before 90 days of completing 12 months of training.
• You must submit the FCVS application regardless of whether you have received USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX Level 3 scores. If your exam scores are received after submitting your FCVS application, or you have not taken step/level 3, please contact the GME office to determine your next steps.
• KBML will not accept credentials or exam scores from any source other than FCVS. Please designate the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure as the Recipient of your FCVS profile.

Application Instructions:

• Estimated FCVS Application Fee: $400-600

• Submit an FCVS credentialing application at:

  •  https://www.fsmb.org/fcvs/ 

    • Select Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure as your recipient during submission.

Incoming Residents and Fellows with 24 or More Months of Training

Full (Regular) Physician License

This License pathway applies to:

• Incoming Fellows who have completed 24 or more months of accredited postgraduate training and have passed all parts of USMLE or COMLEX
• Incoming PGY-2+ Residents who will have 24 or more months of accredited postgraduate training by their start date and have passed all parts of USMLE or COMLEX

IMPORTANT:

• If you do not meet the KY Full (Regular) Physician license requirements, please contact the GME office to confirm which license is appropriate for your training.

KBML Application Instructions:

• Login or Create a KBML Account:
  • For physicians who hold a current KY license:
    • Login to your KBML profile: eBusiness: Login (ky.gov) (Username: current license number, Password: Last 4 of SSN)
  • For incoming physicians who do not hold a current KY license:
    • Create an account with KBML: eBusiness: Login (ky.gov)
    • Select "Create an Account". 
      • Username Format: Last name + first initial (Example: SmithJ)
      • Password: Last four digits of your SSN
•  Complete the Online Application- Select 'Apply for a License'
  • IMPORTANT: Select the type of license/certificate you will be applying for in Kentucky:  'Physician'
• Pay KBML Licensing fee online or mail in credit card/check form 
  • Physicians who completed medical school and residency in KY: $175 fee
    • Choose the option online to bill fee and complete the credit card/check form to mail in with your application forms.
    • Please e-mail your KBML Licensure Coordinator or GMEAdmin@uky.edu for a copy of the credit card/check form.
  • Physicians who completed medical school and/or residency outside of KY: $300 fee
    • You can pay this fee online 
• Complete the Printable Application Forms from your KBML Account (will need to be notarized and mailed)
  • Please note the Temporary Permit Form is not necessary unless you need a license issued before a KBML board meeting date.
• Mail your completed and notarized paper forms to KBML: 
  • Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, 310 Whittington Parkway, Suite 1B, Louisville, KY 40222    
• Complete a criminal background check. Instructions can be located in the paper forms.
  • IMPORTANT: if you are applying for a Full license for your upcoming PGY-3 training year, please do not complete this step earlier than 90 days before completion of your current PGY-2 year.  
• Submit an FCVS Credentialing Application (detailed FCVS instructions below)
• For more information for applying for your license, please visit the KBML website: Apply For A License - Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure
• If you need copies of the Full (Regular) Physician License Forms or assistance, contact GME: GMEAdmin@uky.edu 

FCVS Credentialing Application Instructions:

IMPORTANT: 

• FCVS processing typically takes 6-8 weeks. Delays in completing this step may impact your ability to obtain your Kentucky Full Physician License.
• If you are applying for your upcoming PGY-3 training year- Do not submit your FCVS application before April 1 or before 90 days of completing your current PGY-2 year. KBML cannot accept your FCVS profile before 90 days of completing 24 months of training.
• KBML will not accept credentials or exam scores from any source other than FCVS. Please designate the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure as the Recipient of your FCVS profile.
• An FCVS application will still need to be sent even if you have completed this step for another license application.

Application Instructions:

• Estimated FCVS Application Fee: $400-600
• Submit an FCVS credentialing application at:
  •  https://www.fsmb.org/fcvs/ 
    • Select Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure as your recipient during submission.

Incoming Fellows Without 24 Months of Accredited Training and/or Step 3 or COMLEX Level 3

Fellowship Training (FT) License:

Incoming fellows who do not meet one or both of the following requirements for a Full (Regular) Physician License must apply for a Restricted Fellowship Training (FT) License:

• Completion of 24 or more months of U.S.-accredited postgraduate training, and/or
• Successful completion of all required steps of the USMLE or COMLEX examinations

If either requirement has not been met at the time of application, a Fellowship Training (FT) License is required prior to the start of fellowship training.

Before applying, please contact the GME Office to confirm that the Fellowship Training License is the appropriate licensure pathway for your situation. The GME Office will provide the necessary application instructions.

Reimbursement Information

You can be reimbursed for your KBML cost after your start date. GME does not reimburse FCVS and criminal background check costs.

Apply for reimbursement here. 

Requirements:  

• Several items to document licensing expense will be needed to process reimbursement requests.  (See below by payment type).

Credit Card payment 

1. Original receipt showing last 4-digits of card number.
2. Proof of withdrawal/debit from bank account (i.e. screenshot from bank account of expense).
3.  University of Kentucky request for employee reimbursement 

 Paper Check payment 

1.  Original receipt showing check number.
2.  Front and back images of cleared check from banking institution.
3. University of Kentucky request for employee reimbursement 

 Money Order payment 

1. Original receipt showing proof of payment.
2. Proof of purchasing money order (receipt and screenshot of online transaction from bank account).
3. University of Kentucky request for employee reimbursement.

For questions regarding reimbursements, please email the GME Benefits Coordinator Wilhelmina Commare at waco231@uky.edu. 

Notary Services

FCVS and KBML forms need to be notarized. There are notaries in the GME office Monday – Friday from 8 a.m.– 5p.m. in room HQ-101. We do not offer online notary services. If you are at UK or in the area, you are welcome to stop by GME to have your forms notarized. You do not need to make an appointment.