New Hampshire Physician Guide

At a Glance

Item	Cost
Initial License	$600
Renewal Fee	$300
Renewal Cycle	Biennial
Annualized Cost	$150.00
Controlled Substance Registration	No

None.

NPs can practice independently in New Hampshire.

PAs can practice independently in New Hampshire.

You must complete two separate applications simultaneously: the FCVS (Federation Credentials Verification Service) packet AND the NH OPLC physician license application. Most delays happen because applicants submit one without the other.
FCVS is mandatory for all applicants — NH does not accept primary-source verification by any other means.
The board also maintains a separate “Draft” applications page (/applications-physician-draft) alongside the live one — be sure you are filing the correct current version.

Per RSA 541-A:29, if all required documentation is not submitted within 60 days of your application date, the application may be denied outright. The clock starts the moment you submit, not when you begin gathering documents. Start FCVS and FBI fingerprints before you apply.

2”x2” passport photograph must be physically affixed to the Affidavit form, which must be notarized**. This is an older requirement that many applicants do not anticipate.
Letters of Reference: 2 letters from currently practicing physicians, must be original letterhead**, signed, and addressed specifically to the NH Board of Medicine. Photocopies or emails are not accepted.
Affidavit and Authorization for Release of Information** form — original, notarized.
All prior state licenses from every state where you have ever held a license must be listed/submitted.

FBI Criminal History Check** (federal, not just state) is required. NH has published updated background check instructions (April 2024 PDF on the OPLC site).
The specific fingerprint vendor/process (LiveScan or card-based) is detailed in the April 2024 OPLC background check instructions PDF — review that document separately as it was updated recently. The OPLC site blocks direct scraping.
Any “yes” answer to a history question on the application adds 8–12 weeks to processing time on top of standard timelines.

100 CME hours per biennial cycle** (January 1 of year 1 through December 31 of year 2).
Minimum 40 hours must be Category 1 (AMA PRA Category 1 or ACCME-accredited equivalent).
Maximum 60 hours may be Category 2.
This is among the highest CME requirements nationally.

Opioid/Pain Management (3 hours, every renewal cycle)**: Required only for physicians who hold an NH-DEA license number. Must cover pain management and addiction disorder. Must be AMA PRA Category 1 or ACCME-accredited.
DEA One-Time 8-Hour Requirement: Separate from state CME — as of June 27, 2023, all DEA-registered practitioners must complete a one-time 8-hour training** on treating and managing opioid/substance use disorders (including all FDA-approved medications for SUD). This satisfies the DEA DATA-waiver requirement and is federally imposed but must be tracked.
Suicide prevention, human trafficking, implicit bias**: No evidence found of any NH-specific mandate for these topics for physicians (unlike many other states). These are not currently required by the NH Board of Medicine.

NH is an Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) member since 2017.
Expedited route costs ~$378 (IMLCC fee, not the standard state fee) and can produce a license in 2–4 weeks vs. the standard 6–12 weeks.
Eligibility requires: an unrestricted license in your designated state of principal license, no pending disciplinary actions, and no malpractice history flags. If you have any of those, you cannot use the compact.

With FCVS packet already in place**: 6–8 weeks standard; 2–4 weeks via IMLCC compact.
Without an existing FCVS packet**: 3–4.5 months (FCVS itself takes 8–12 weeks to compile).
With any adverse history on application**: Add 8–12 weeks to whichever track you are on.
No in-person interview required.

Telemedicine: Any out-of-state physician treating a patient who is physically located in NH** must be NH-licensed. No telemedicine exemption exists.
USMLE/COMLEX attempt limits**: Maximum 3 attempts per step/level are allowed. No time limit between completion of steps, but all 3 steps/levels must be passed.
Minimum postgraduate training**: 2 years of ACGME- or AOA-accredited training required (some sources say 1 year minimum; confirm with the board directly as this has been in flux).
Step 2 CK minimum score**: 214. Step 3 minimum: 198. These are board-imposed minimums, not just USMLE pass/fail standards.
No separate state CDS (controlled substance) registration**: Federal DEA is sufficient; NH does not have a separate state-level controlled substance registration.
Renewal cycle is calendar-year based** (Jan 1 – Dec 31), so a license issued mid-cycle will still expire Dec 31 of the following year — you may get less than a full two years on your first cycle.
NH OPLC Board of Medicine Physician Licensure Requirements
NH OPLC Board of Medicine License Fees
NH OPLC Applications for Physician
NH OPLC Board of Medicine Opioid Prescribing

Researched from state board websites and regulatory sources. Verify with the board directly before applying.

Data compiled from state medical board websites, FSMB, and regulatory filings. Last updated June 2026.

Have a correction or update? Let us know.