Georgia Physician License 2026: GCMB Process, IMLC Path, Timeline & Locum Considerations

The Georgia Composite Medical Board (GCMB) is one of the more efficient state medical boards in the Southeast. Georgia is a member of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), which dramatically reduces timeline for IMLC-eligible physicians (typically 4–6 weeks vs 12–16 weeks for standard process).

This guide covers both paths, the GCMB application requirements, and the locum considerations specific to GA.

Two paths: IMLC vs Standard

IMLC eligibility — who qualifies

To use the IMLC pathway, you must:

• Hold an active medical license in an IMLC member state designated as your State of Principal License (SPL)
• Have graduated from an LCME or AOA accredited US/Canadian medical school (IMGs typically do not qualify for IMLC)
• Have completed ACGME or AOA accredited residency
• Hold board certification (or be enrolled and meet eligibility requirements)
• No history of disciplinary action, criminal conviction, or current investigation

If you qualify, the IMLC path is faster, more predictable, and only marginally more expensive. Default to IMLC if eligible.

IMLC step-by-step

1. Apply for Letter of Qualification at imlcc.org ($700 fee)
2. SPL state board verifies your eligibility (~3–4 weeks)
3. You receive Letter of Qualification (LOQ) — valid 365 days
4. Submit LOQ to Georgia via IMLC portal + GA fee ($700)
5. GCMB issues GA license (~2–3 weeks after LOQ submission)

Standard GCMB application step-by-step

1. Create account at medicalboard.georgia.gov
2. Submit application + $650 fee
3. Trigger FCVS profile transmission (or submit credentials directly)
4. Coordinate verifications: medical school, residency, all prior state licenses
5. Submit malpractice history + NPDB self-query
6. Wait for review

FCVS coordination

Georgia accepts FCVS profiles. If you have an active FCVS profile, request transmission to GCMB ($85). FCVS handles:

• Medical school verification
• Postgraduate training verification
• Examination history (USMLE, COMLEX, FLEX)
• ECFMG certification (for IMGs)

If you don't have FCVS, you must coordinate verifications individually — typically 4–8 weeks vs 1–2 weeks with FCVS.

Required documents

• Medical school diploma + transcripts (via FCVS or direct)
• Residency completion verification (each program)
• USMLE / COMLEX score reports
• ECFMG certification (IMGs only)
• NPDB self-query (within 6 months)
• License verification from every state ever held
• Malpractice insurer history (current and prior 10 years)
• Background check (state and federal)

Locum considerations

Georgia is a major locum tenens market — particularly for IM, FM, EM, and rural specialties. Two GA-specific considerations:

• No telehealth-only license: Georgia requires a full medical license to practice telehealth with GA-based patients. There is no separate telehealth permit.
• Special purpose license: GCMB offers a Special Purpose License for visiting consultants doing infrequent in-state work. Limited utility for locum staffing — most locum work requires full licensure.

Common delays

• Standard application: medical school transcripts not received directly: ~3-4 week delay
• NPDB self-query expired (older than 6 months): Re-pull required, 1-week delay
• Malpractice history with closed claims: GCMB requires explanatory letters and copy of settlement or judgment. ~4 week delay typical.
• IMG missing translated transcripts: ECFMG certification suffices for most cases but some IMG candidates need additional translated documents

Renewal

• Biennial renewal (every 2 years)
• Renewal fee: $475 (2026)
• 40 hours CME per renewal cycle (3 hours pain management mandatory)
• Late fees: +$50 within 30 days, +$100 after 30 days

What we see at Ava Health

For US-grad MD candidates we place in Georgia, the IMLC path is now the default — average time from offer to start is 6.8 weeks for IMLC-eligible candidates vs 14.2 weeks for standard process. The IMLC fee delta ($1,400 total vs $650 standard) is trivial against 7 weeks of additional working time.

For locum coverage in Georgia, we recommend candidates establish IMLC eligibility in their home state if not already done — a 1-time IMLC LOQ unlocks rapid licensure in any of the 40+ IMLC states. We've placed locum physicians in Georgia at $325/hour for IM hospitalist coverage at Tift Regional Medical Center, Phoebe Putney, and Memorial Health Savannah.

Related: Texas Physician Licensing + IMLC Guide 2026, Telehealth State Licensure Guide 2026.