License GuideSOC 29-1216

Family Medicine Physician
License.

Internists diagnose and treat diseases affecting the heart, lungs, digestive system, and other internal organs. They work primarily with adult and adolescent patients in outpatient clinics and medical offices. Day to day, they conduct patient exams, order and interpret lab tests, manage chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, and prescribe medications. They refer patients to specialists when needed but handle most care without surgery. Internists focus on prevention and long-term disease management rather than acute hospital care.

At a Glance

Everything a Family Medicine Physician needs to know.

The Work
What you actually do

Licensed family medicine physicians are regulated at the state level. Every state sets its own education, exam, and experience requirements.

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Internists diagnose and treat diseases affecting the heart, lungs, digestive system, and other internal organs. They work primarily with adult and adolescent patients in outpatient clinics and medical offices. Day to day, they conduct patient exams, order and interpret lab tests, manage chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, and prescribe medications. They refer patients to specialists when needed but handle most care without surgery. Internists focus on prevention and long-term disease management rather than acute hospital care.

The Exam
Two-part proctored test

The national board exam for family medicine physicians is the uniform test most states accept. Many states add a jurisprudence exam on state statute.

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You'll face a two-part exam structure. The national portion tests your clinical knowledge and medical decision-making skills. The state-law portion covers regulations specific to your jurisdiction. Most states contract with testing vendors like PSI, Pearson VUE, or Prometric to administer both sections. You register through the vendor's portal and test at their approved centers. Passing scores vary slightly by state, but expect to score in the 75th percentile or higher. Plan for multiple hours at the testing center.

Renewal
Keeping it active

Continuing education is required between renewals in every state. Most boards require a mix of general CE and topic-specific units like ethics, patient safety, or opioid prescribing.

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Family medicine physicians must complete continuing education to maintain their license. Hours and topics vary by state. Your renewal cycle typically requires ethics training and updates on state-specific medical laws. Check your state medical board's website for exact requirements and deadlines.

Is This For You
Who fits this career

Strong candidates for the family medicine physician role combine the technical knowledge tested on the exam with judgment and communication skills you build through supervised experience.

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You'll need both medical expertise and something harder to measure: judgment. Family medicine rewards doctors who listen carefully and explain diagnoses without jargon. You'll handle everything from routine checkups to complex cases, so you work best if you're comfortable with uncertainty and can make decisions quickly with incomplete information. The job demands stamina, long days seeing 20+ patients. Patience matters too. You're building relationships with the same people across decades.

Unlicensed Risk
Practicing without a license

Practicing as a family medicine physician without an active license is illegal in every state. Typical penalties include civil fines, forfeited income, and in some states criminal charges on repeat offenses.

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Practicing family medicine without an active license violates state law across the country. Violators face civil fines and must surrender any income earned while unlicensed. States may also impose criminal penalties for repeat offenses, though these vary by jurisdiction. The specific consequences depend on state regulations and whether the violation is a first or subsequent offense.

Career Outlook
+0.8% projected

Employment change 2024 to 2034.

The Path

How to Get a Family Medicine Physician License.

To get licensed, you'll follow a consistent path across most states. First, complete accredited education in your field. Next, pass a national or state exam. You'll then need supervised experience under a licensed professional, which typically spans months to years depending on your state. A background check is standard. Once licensed, you'll complete continuing education requirements before each renewal. The specific hours, degree levels, and experience minimums differ by state, so check your state's requirements early.

1
Meet minimum education
Most states require graduation from an accredited family medicine physician program. Degree level and accreditation body vary by profession.
2
Complete supervised clinical hours
Boards set required supervised practice hours under a licensed supervisor. Hours are logged, verified, and submitted with your application.
3
Pass the national board exam
The national certification exam for family medicine physicians is the uniform knowledge test most states accept. Some states add a jurisprudence exam on local statute.
4
Submit fingerprints and background check
Most boards collect electronic fingerprints through IdentoGO, Fieldprint, or a similar vendor and run a state and federal background check.
5
Apply for the license
Submit the state application with transcripts, exam scores, experience verification, and fees. Processing runs a few days to several months depending on state and board.
6
Pay fees and activate
Once approved, you pay the initial license fee, post any required bond or insurance, and the state issues your license number.
7
Track renewals and continuing education
Most licenses renew every one to three years with a set amount of continuing education. Missing CE or renewal deadlines risks license inactivation.
Timeline

How long it takes.

Background check and exam scheduling
2 to 6 weeks
License issuance after passing
Few days to several weeks
State processing times vary widely.
Cost Breakdown

What it costs out of pocket.

Required education
Degree program at an accredited institution. Varies massively by degree level.
$30,000 to $250,000
Application and license fee
Paid to the state board at submission. Varies widely by state.
$50 to $500
Fingerprint and background check
Flat vendor fee set by the state.
$40 to $120
Exam fee
Paid to the testing vendor when you schedule.
$50 to $400
Professional liability insurance
Annual policy. Required or strongly recommended in most states.
$300 to $2,500
DEA registration
Federal fee, three-year term. Required only for prescribers.
$0 to $900
Compensation

What Family Medicine Physicians Earn.

National annual wage by percentile.

Bottom 10%
$70k
25th percentile
$135k
Median
$236k
Resources

Where to train, certify, and connect.

Optional next steps once your Family Medicine Physician license is active.

Advanced
Certified in Infection Control
Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.
Specialty
Critical Care Echocardiography
National Board of Echocardiography
Specialty
Headache Medicine Certification
United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties
Specialty
Diplomate of the American Board of Bariatric Medicine
American Board of Obesity Medicine
Specialty
Certification for Competency in Cardiac Rhythm Device Therapy for the Physician
International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners
Specialty
ABVM Endovascular Medicine Examination
American Board of Vascular Medicine
Specialty
Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism
American Board of Internal Medicine
Specialty
Hospice and Palliative Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine
Specialty
Registered Phlebology Sonographer
Cardiovascular Credentialing International
Specialty
Wound Care Certification
National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy
Core
Sleep Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine
Specialty
Certification in Hematology
American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine
State vs State

Compare any two states.

Pre-license hours and fees vary widely. Pick two states to see the gap.

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Right
Varies
Pre-license hours
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Exam fee
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License fee
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Department of Industrial Relations
Issuing board
Texas Medical Board
Frequently Asked

Questions people ask.

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