In order to legally practice medicine, a doctor must have an M.D. or D.O. degree and a current license. An M.D. is a graduate degree in the general practice of medicine. D.O. stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Osteopathic medicine is a form of medical care founded on the philosophy that all body systems are interrelated and dependent on one another for good health.

Confirm specialty board certification. Being "board certified" means that a doctor has completed several years of training (residency) in a specialized field of medicine and has passed exams in that field. The exams are designed to ensure that the doctor has the knowledge, experience and skills required to provide quality care in that specialty. This is above and beyond the requirements to be a practicing physician: an M.D. or D.O. degree, and a current license.

Some boards require both a written and an oral exam. In these boards, Board Eligible means the doctor has passed the written exam but has not taken the oral exam. In most cases being Board Eligible reflects knowledge and experience in the field.

Many doctors who are not board certified still bring a wealth of experience to their practice. Many surgeons who train outside the United States do not become board eligible once practicing in the U.S. Factors like caring and compassion cannot be measured by an exam. Ultimately, ask yourself what you need to be comfortable with your doctor.

Review Practice History. In order to legally practice medicine, a doctor must have an M.D. or D.O. degree, and a current license. Each medical license must be renewed regularly. Part of the requirements to renew a medical license is continuing education. New discoveries are made every day, so continuing education ensures all practicing doctors stay current with constantly changing techniques for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease.

State Medical Board Contact Information
Both M.D.s and D.O.s must have a license to practice medicine. These licenses are overseen by individual states. Some states have a separate board to regulate Osteopathic Medicine. Each medical license must be renewed regularly.

Licensing also is a way to discipline or bar from practice doctors who are guilty of misconduct. Malpractice, claims and suits may or may not indicate wrongdoing on the physician's part; Certain specialties are especially vulnerable to malpractice suits. However, censure or disciplinary action by the state licensing boards is much rarer and should be considered carefully when choosing a doctor.

Locate the information for your state.