Healthcare Recruiting
Virginia Physician License 2026: VA Board of Medicine, IMLC Fast-Track, Timeline & Inova / Sentara / VCU Credentialing
Virginia has one of the more affordable physician licensing fees in the US ($302) and a well-run Board of Medicine. The DC metro overspill creates strong NoVA demand, and the Hampton Roads / Tidewater market has high growth. Virginia is an IMLC member.
IMLC vs Standard VA Board
| Path | Timeline | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| IMLC | 4-6 weeks | $700 LOQ + $302 VA = $1,002 |
| Standard VA Board | 8-12 weeks | $302 |
Standard VA Board application
- Apply at dhp.virginia.gov
- $302 application fee (MD/DO)
- Virginia State Police fingerprinting + FBI (IdentoGO)
- FCVS profile (accepted, not required)
- Primary source verification for all licenses, medical school, residency
- NPDB self-query
Major health system credentialing (VA)
- Inova Health System (Northern VA): 90-120 days. Largest NoVA system; heavy demand for subspecialty and hospitalist due to DC metro proximity. Inova's credentialing office is experienced with IMLC fast-tracks.
- Sentara Healthcare (Norfolk / Hampton Roads): 90-120 days. Dominant health system in Hampton Roads; Level I trauma, cardiac, and women's health.
- VCU Health (Richmond): 120-150 days academic. Virginia's primary academic medical center; transplant and oncology subspecialty demand.
- UVA Health (Charlottesville): 120-150 days academic. Strong demand in academic subspecialties.
- Carilion Clinic (Roanoke / SW VA): 90-120 days regional academic. SW Virginia rural premium for primary care.
- Bon Secours (Richmond / Hampton Roads): 75-105 days community credentialing.
Virginia-specific requirements
- Virginia PMP: Required enrollment for controlled substance prescribers
- CME: 60 hours per 2-year renewal cycle for MDs (broad requirement)
Renewal
- Biennial renewal
- Renewal fee: $337
- 60 hours CME per 2-year cycle
What we see at Ava Health
NoVA (Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun) is the highest-demand market in VA for specialists and hospitalists, driven by DC metro population growth. Hampton Roads/Tidewater has significant military medicine crossover, physicians with military background and active clearances are particularly sought by Sentara and CHKD. Richmond is a growing market. The $302 fee makes VA one of the cheapest licenses to maintain for locum physicians doing multi-state work.
Related: North Carolina Physician License 2026, Maryland Physician License 2026.
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