Mississippi Physician License 2026: MSBML Process, IMLC Fast-Track, Timeline & UMMC / Merit Health / Singing River Credentialing

Mississippi ranks among the states with the highest rates of physician shortage areas. The primary physician markets are Jackson (UMMC, Merit Health, St. Dominic's), Hattiesburg (Forrest General, Merit Health Wesley), and the Gulf Coast (Singing River Health, Memorial Hospital Gulfport). Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure (MSBML) is an IMLC member.

Major health system credentialing (MS)

• University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) Jackson: 120–150 days academic. Mississippi's only academic medical center — Level I trauma, Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital, and the state's only transplant program.
• Merit Health (Jackson / statewide): 90–120 days community system across multiple MS markets.
• Singing River Health (Gulf Coast / Pascagoula): 90–120 days regional; Gulf Coast market with strong EM demand.
• North Mississippi Medical Center (Tupelo): 90–120 days regional; largest community hospital in the state outside Jackson.
• Forrest General Hospital (Hattiesburg): 90–120 days regional; University of Mississippi Medical Center affiliation.

What we see at Ava Health

Mississippi has some of the most severe rural primary care shortages in the US. The Mississippi Delta is among the most underserved regions in the country — HPSA and medically underserved area (MUA) designations cover most of the state. Primary care, OB/GYN, and psychiatry have the highest unmet need. NHSC HPSA loan forgiveness and state loan repayment programs are available. Rural Gulf Coast pays geographic premiums for EM and primary care year-round.

Related: Louisiana Physician License 2026, Alabama Physician License 2026.