How to Know a Doctor Is Board Certified?

Many people wonder if their physician has ever been disciplined by a medical board or, indeed, if he or she is even board-certified. Fortunately, that information is public and easy to obtain. The Federation of State Medical Boards keeps a database of all physicians making it easy to find information about your doctor for a small fee. Here's how to find the information you're looking for.

Instructions

• 1

  Visit the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) website.

• 2

  Click on "For The Public" at the top left of the screen.

• 3

  Click on "Search Your Physician Online." This will be found under the heading "Check Your Physician."

• 4

  Click on "Get Immediate Results" on the left side of the screen. There is also a request to receive the report by mail if you do not want to pay by credit or debit card.

• 5

  Enter the physician's information. Enter as much information as you know. Click "Search."

• 6

  Click on "Add to Cart" if the search engine finds the doctor you're looking for. The cost of the report is $9.95 (as of March 2011).

• 7

  Click on "Check Out" if you have completed your search. You will be prompted to accept the terms and conditions of the website in order to continue. Click "Check Out" again.

• 8

  Enter your payment information. The site accepts only MasterCard and Visa. You will now be able to view the report.