PART 3 / CH 73
The ABCs of Medical Licensing in Massachusetts
Marion Eakin
A. Approval and Requirements for Moonlighting
1. Partners policy requires that all moonlighting be approved by the residency director. Send residency director a letter about your plans as soon as they are finalized, including specific institutions.
2. Traditionally, you may begin moonlighting at the start of the PGY3 year; at McLean, moonlighting in the CEC only has been allowed starting in May of the PGY2 year, the week of the APA meetings.
3. You will need a full license, DEA number and malpractice insurance coverage.
4. Most moonlighting jobs require copies of your license and application, DEA number, updated CV, and several references (whom you should ask in advance).
5. “Daylighting,“ or moonlighting during business hours, is forbidden!
B. Obtaining the full medical license
1. Call the MA Board of Registration for Medicine at 727-3086 to request an application.
Cost is $350 for first year and is renewable on your birthday. There’s a 90 day grace period so that you may obtain the license within 90 days prior to your birthday and not have to renew until the following year; you may also indicate on the application that you want to hold the application until a certain day, e.g. 89 days before your birthday.
2. Renewal: at one year after initial licensing and then q2 years, cost $250
3. Keep a copy of your complete license application. You’ll be asked for this for other purposes.
4. Processing the license may take 2-4 months, so plan ahead!
C. Obtaining the Federal DEA number
1. Call 557-2200 to request the application, or pick one up at the registrar’s office at MGH.
2. Cost is $210 for 3 years.
3. Request privileges to prescribe all schedules of drugs (II-VI).
4. Processing takes up to 6 weeks.
5. Note: you may apply while your MA license is pending so don’t wait.
D. Obtaining the MA State DEA number
1. Call 522-3700, ext. 6710 for an application, or pick one up at the registrar’s office at MGH.
2. Cost is $50.
3. Again request privileges to prescribe all schedules of drugs.
4. Processing takes 2 weeks.
5. Again, you may apply while your MA license application is pending.
E. Extending Malpractice Insurance to cover Moonlighting
1. Go to the Professional Staff Benefits Office (Bulfinch, 1st floor) and request the form.
2. Complete the 1-page form and give it to Ned Cassem’s office.
3. No cost.