It is the policy of the Board that a physician who has completed two or more years of accredited training and passed all components of a Board approved licensing examination must apply for a Regular license in the state of Kentucky.
Physicians in their first year of post graduate training (PGY1) are exempt from licensure pursuant to KRS 311.560 section 2(c). After completion of one year of training, a physician is required to obtain an Institutional Practice Limited License or a Residency Training License to practice in Kentucky.
Regular License
A Regular License is issued to a physician who meets statutory and regulatory requirements for licensure. All graduates must complete two years of accredited postgraduate training. Successful completion of a Board approved licensing examination is also required for licensure. Please refer to KRS 311.571, 201 KAR 9:021 and 201 KAR 9:031.
Temporary Permit
A Temporary Permit (TP) is issued to an applicant who meets statutory requirements for a regular license. Applicants must have a completed application on file with the Board and must need to begin working in Kentucky before the next meeting of the Board. The permit is issued for a period not to exceed six months.
Institutional Practice Limited License
An Institutional Practice Limited License (IP) is issued to a physician entering an accredited residency training program in Kentucky. This license limits medical practice to the parameters of a training program. This license is issued on an academic calendar year, July 1 to June 30, and renewable annually while in training. An applicant must have completed one year of accredited postgraduate training and Parts 1 and 2 of the USMLE or COMLEX. Please refer to KRS 311.571.
Residency Training License
It is the policy of the Board that a physician who has completed two or more years of accredited training and passed all components of a Board approved licensing examination must apply for a Regular license in the state of Kentucky.
A Residency Training License (R) is issued to a physician entering residency training in Kentucky. This license allows a physician to practice within the parameters of the training program, as well as moonlight at locations designated by the Program Director. This license allows a physician to apply for a DEA license. This license is issued on an academic year, July 1 to June 30, and is renewable annually while in training. An applicant must have completed one year of accredited postgraduate training and all parts of the USMLE or COMLEX. Please refer to KRS 311.571.
Faculty License
A Faculty License (FL) is issued to physicians who have been accepted to a faculty position with one of the teaching institutions in Kentucky and do not meet all statutory requirements. An applicant holding this license is limited to the institution and its affiliated hospitals. Please refer to KRS 311.571.
Fellowship Training License
A Fellowship Training License (FT) is issued to physicians who have been accepted into a Kentucky fellowship training program OR have graduated from a medical school located outside of the United States or Canada. FMG’s must be certified in their home country in the specialty of their fellowship and in good standing in the country where they normally practice.
This license is restricted to the Kentucky Fellowship Program and a DEA license cannot be obtained with this license type. The license is issued for a period of one year and can only be renewed for one year. Before applying for this license please check with your program to see which license type (regular license or fellowship) you will need for your fellowship. Please refer to KRS 311.571.