How to Verify Medical School Attendance

It is illegal for a doctor to fake credentials, such as licensure or medical school attendance. Nonetheless, some doctors fraudulently represent themselves to prospective patients. It is important to verify a doctor's license and medical school attendance before you establish yourself as a patient. Whether the doctor was educated in the U.S. or abroad, you can confirm attendance at an accredited medical school.

Instructions

• 1

  Visit the state medical licensing board website. The state in which the doctor is licensed publishes records of the doctor's state license, as well as education credentials. State licensing board websites allow users to search for a doctor by name, license number, specialty area, hospital affiliation or practice name.

• 2

  Visit the American Board of Medical Specialities website, certificationmatters.org, which publishes the license and credentialing information of physicians that have met certification requirements for a particular medical specialty. Register for a free account to perform a search for a doctor by name. Restrict the search by indicating the city, state, zip code or specialty area.

• 3

  Visit a public library or medical library to view "The Official ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists," a print publication of the American Board of Medical Specialties. This publication provides up-to-date professional information, including medical school education, for physicians certified in certain specialties. Consult the doctor last name index to locate the page on which professional information is listed.

• 4

  Ask the doctor to produce an official diploma certifying graduation from an accredited medical school. Examine the diploma carefully. Look for a seal and a signature (not a stamped signature) of the dean or president of the college.

• 5

  Call the registrar's office of the medical school attended, if known. The registrar may, depending on the institution's policy, confirm or deny a student's attendance. However, the registrar will not release transcripts or provide records of diplomas or degrees issued.