FCVS Step 3

[wipedown]

What is the consensus of signing up for FCVS now, while applying for Step 3?

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[Blade28]

Can you even do that?

Why not just wait until you get your Step 3 results?

 

[Winged Scapula]

I don't see the advantage unless you are going to be using FCVS to obtain your unrestricted medical license now.

Otherwise, you CAN send in everything except your Step 3 score, do not designate a recipient until your scores and everything else is in.

 

[Pir8DeacDoc]

I just finished this process and honestly I don't see what the point is. The FCVS doesn't take that long to get together the information and documents they want. Just wait until you've passed step III...

 

[Blade28]

You also just started internship, no? Are you preparing to moonlight in July 2008 already?

 

[radonc]

the reason for doing the FCVS is not just limited to state licensure...you can also use it while getting credentialed at any hospital, because this process asks for basically everything (minus your scores) that a licensure requires.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I just finished this process and honestly I don't see what the point is. The FCVS doesn't take that long to get together the information and documents they want. Just wait until you've passed step III...

Your mileage may vary....they took 6 months to process my application (almost all due to delays of their own making...sending things to the wrong address, not following up when verifications weren't received, not letting us know they needed more information, etc. In no case could I see where my school, residency, fellowship or USMLE stuff was the source of the delays - it was all FCVS.)

Now there is another delay because they sent my processed application to the wrong state...even though I had submitted a change form, and had it verified by FCVS that the form was received. Turns out my file manager wasn't told about the state change.

Sorry for the rant..😡

 

[Winged Scapula]

the reason for doing the FCVS is not just limited to state licensure...you can also use it while getting credentialed at any hospital, because this process asks for basically everything (minus your scores) that a licensure requires.

That's interesting because my hospitals wanted it all separately...they wouldn't take it from FCVS (not that it would have made it any faster).

 

[Puffle]

BE VERY VERY CAREFUL when you are picking a state to do your Step 3 through. They make it sound like FCVS is voluntary service, but for a handful of states, it is MANDATORY for getting licensed!!!! Read the fine print. I got an email a few weeks after I sent out my application saying, "We see you registered for Step 3 in Idaho, we can't process this until you begin a FCVS application." I begrudingly paid the $320. (It's all a wash because the states I plan to license in (MN,ME, etc) are some of the ones that happen to require it. Most states will allow you to use this service if you choose, BUT two or three actually FORBID you to. It is utterly random, so check the map. So, seriously, read all the itty bitty 4 point font on the state-specific info. (This is not listed on the state-by-state graph that shows things like how many attempts they allow, etc.)

It might save you a big headache. But it's worth knowing that if do use it, you can still schedule your exam prior to your packet being finalized (which does take a few months). And I say, "Do it now." I suspect this will adopted as a nationwide standard very shortly, anyway, so why not do it while it's still "cheap"?

 

[driedcaribou]

Most states will allow you to use this service if you choose, BUT two or three actually FORBID you to. It is utterly random, so check the map. So, seriously, read all the itty bitty 4 point font on the state-specific info. (This is not listed on the state-by-state graph that shows things like how many attempts they allow, etc.)

Forbid?

Why would they do that?

Apologies if the answer is obvious... I'm still a student!

 

[Pir8DeacDoc]

http://www.fsmb.org/fcvs_physboards.html

This is a very helpful link in regards to some of the above issues.

It seems as though only Arkansas, Alaska, and Nebraska don't accept the FCVS. Quite a few states actually require it.

 

[Puffle]

Forbid?

Why would they do that?

Apologies if the answer is obvious... I'm still a student!

Perhaps I hyperbolize, they refuse to let you use it, so it would be $320 wasted.😳

 

[Bring It On]

Wouldn't you want to have that info as a backup? Look at the poor folks in New Orleans...everything was lost. Not saying a hurricane is coming to every state but something could happen...I say it is a safety net.

 

[MBK2003]

Your mileage may vary....they took 6 months to process my application (almost all due to delays of their own making...sending things to the wrong address, not following up when verifications weren't received, not letting us know they needed more information, etc. In no case could I see where my school, residency, fellowship or USMLE stuff was the source of the delays - it was all FCVS.)

Now there is another delay because they sent my processed application to the wrong state...even though I had submitted a change form, and had it verified by FCVS that the form was received. Turns out my file manager wasn't told about the state change.

Sorry for the rant..😡

This is not an uncommon problem with FCVS, from my own experience and the significant delay we've had in getting new faculty licenses in Maine (which requires it for MD license). For one faculty member, they lost her birth certificate and she had to send a second one in (for them to keep, of course). If you decide to use FCVS, make sure that you keep on top of them with weekly calls to identify what they've received, what they haven't, and what they've sent out. I would encourage applicants take the names of the people they speak with about their packet and request to speak with a supervisor if anything is unclear or fishy or seems delayed.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Good advice above. I can only imagine how long it would have taken if I had not realized what was going on and started making those weekly phone calls, knew to ask for my rep, etc. BTW, for other users, the on line status report can go months without being updated, do NOT rely on it for an accurate picture of what they have or don't have. My medical education was received by them in April; they didn't put that on-line until August - the week before they finalized their report.

I sent them a certified letter last week with my complaints, and request that they not only reissue the Physician Profile (which incorrectly states where I did my fellowship) but that they also forward it to the states that I requested.

If it weren't for FCVS I would be working now instead of sitting here on SDN, watching All My Children and eating left-over vindaloo (not that that's bad, but for months on end, it gets a little boring).

 

[Blade28]

Just where is all this vindaloo coming from?

 

[Winged Scapula]

Just where is all this vindaloo coming from?

Dehli Garden delivery!

 

[Blade28]

Just out of curiosity, when applying for hospital privileges for moonlighting purposes only, during the credentialing process (which is where I am right now) - do you need to contact FCVS? Should they send my packet over, or will the hospital automatically do this?

 

[Winged Scapula]

Just out of curiosity, when applying for hospital privileges for moonlighting purposes only, during the credentialing process (which is where I am right now) - do you need to contact FCVS? Should they send my packet over, or will the hospital automatically do this?

I would ask the hospital what they need...I only had to provide the following for moonlighting as a resident/fellow:

- letter from PD that it was ok that I moonlight (ie, that it was not against program rules)


However, if you were to apply for real "credentials" then yes, they need (based on my current experience):

- copies of all malpractice coverage (ie, from residency/fellowship)
- medical degree
- certificates from residency/fellowship
- copy of Driver's License or other ID
- pictures (passport size)
- copy of SS card
- copy of medical license in same state
- copy of DEA

If you have all of that (and I'm sure you do except for residency certificates) it might be easier to send it yourself rather than rely on FCVS. However, FCVS certainly could send a report but after my experience with them I'm not sure I trust them to do stuff in a timely fashion. If the hospital prefers using FCVS, then I would do that if there was time.

I only used them for state licensing and that was a bit of a debacle as you can see.

 

[Blade28]

Well I already sent everything (everything you've mentioned, including copies of my BLS/ACLS card, PPD skin test, etc.) to the 3 hospitals I applied to. Guess I'll just sit and wait...it's been 3 weeks already. I'm told it can take 1-3 months! 🙁

 

[Winged Scapula]

Well I already sent everything (everything you've mentioned, including copies of my BLS/ACLS card, PPD skin test, etc.) to the 3 hospitals I applied to. Guess I'll just sit and wait...it's been 3 weeks already. I'm told it can take 1-3 months! 🙁

Ahhh...yeah, forgot about the immunization stuff.

Real credentialing, with insurance companies, etc. can take up to a year (or so I'm told by my hospitals). Good thing I'm going into an established practice!!

 

[Blade28]

Real credentialing, with insurance companies, etc. can take up to a year (or so I'm told by my hospitals). Good thing I'm going into an established practice!!

Unfortunately I don't know of many private practice CT surgeons. Then again, that may be the only way I get to do both cardiac AND thoracic.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Unfortunately I don't know of many private practice CT surgeons. Then again, that may be the only way I get to do both cardiac AND thoracic.

There are some...the hospital I moonlight at ( a community hospital) has a private group which provides their CT Surgery.

But if you go into an academic practice you don't have to worry about insurance credentialing...you just show up and work! (and work and work and work 😉 )

 

[danzx8]

a question about FCVS.
I am an IMG, planning to start my FCVS application. Should I mentione the state medical board that FCVS should send the credentials to? Or should I wait until I actually apply to the state board? Will the state medical board keep the FCVS report on file even though they haven't received my application for licesure?
Thanks for advise.

 

[gutonc]

a question about FCVS.
I am an IMG, planning to start my FCVS application. Should I mentione the state medical board that FCVS should send the credentials to? Or should I wait until I actually apply to the state board? Will the state medical board keep the FCVS report on file even though they haven't received my application for licesure?
Thanks for advise.

Check w/ the state requirements. The state I just applied in (Oregon) does allow you to use FCVS but won't accept it until they've received your application so if you tell FCVS to send it to them, they'll probably just chuck it in the round file since they have no idea who you are or why they're getting it. I would imagine this is a general rule but you should check on the website for your state medical board.

 

[Faebinder]

Just pointing out something. Alaska now accepts FCVS. Meaning only NE and AR don't accept FCVS.

The number of state boards REQUIRING FCVS went up to 14 and now even 2 PA boards require it.

My thoughts... "Damn, someone is sure making money."

 

[Blade28]

Yeah, it's an expensive (~$400) and time-consuming process.

 

[armonia]

A related question. . .is FCVS truly worth signing up for (when it's not required)?

 

[Winged Scapula]

A related question. . .is FCVS truly worth signing up for (when it's not required)?

I cannot see that it is (was) largely because I have had friends who used them and then when they wanted to apply for a different state license, FCVS started the verification process ALL OVER again (ie, reverifying their medical education, residency, etc.) rather than just updating what was new since the last application.

I am still waiting, nearly 8 months later, for them to fix my profile which has me doing a Vascular Surgery fellowship (despite many phone calls and emails and letters to the contrary).

 

[3dtp]

A related question. . .is FCVS truly worth signing up for (when it's not required)?

NO!

For all of the reasons given. And for states accepting it, but not requiring it, you are far better off gathering your own records, maintaining them and having your source agencies (med school, residency, fellowship, state boards) send the data to the state boards directly. Speeds things up, eliminates middlemen and you are in control of your destiny.

FSMB/FCVS is expensive, and time consuming . A harbor to be avoided at all costs except when driven in due to stress of storm and tide.

In the pre-electronic age, eras was built to centralize credentials. And for population control. But, with the old Universal Application, ( a paper app), a digitizer and a notary, one can create the same thing, pdf it for a few pennies and send it to everyone needed. Yet, ERAS costs bunches of money, FCVS likewise, and becomes the next middleman. Unless a Federal license valid in all 50 states becomes reality, something not in our political lifetimes, I'd venture to guess, I can't for the life of me see the need for such a thing that most of us might need once or twice in our lives once we leave residency for good. Lessee, 12 4/7 weeks left until real job, real life, ahhh you get the idea.

 

[Faebinder]

I am waiting for the day when one of the medical boards requires a cavity search for the medical license.


Check this out. Do you think things like this will make it easier to get a license in the future? Gosh I am so sick of the multi-state physician license. I have yet to hear a good benefit for it from anyone. Go ahead, name one. I suppose it means that if you get denied then it isnt the end of the world and you can go to another state. I call BS. I want a Federal License.