Choosing a doctor is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make about your health. You’re trusting someone with your body, your questions, your fears, and your long‑term well‑being. That’s why it’s completely appropriate — and incredibly wise — to check a doctor’s credentials before becoming their patient.
The good news? You don’t need special access or insider knowledge. Much of this information is public, easy to find, and designed to help you make confident, informed choices.
Here’s a friendly, step‑by‑step guide to understanding your doctor’s background, training, and professional standing.
1. Verify Board Certification
Board certification shows that a doctor has completed specialized training and passed rigorous exams in their field. It’s one of the clearest indicators of expertise.
The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) maintains a public database where you can look up a doctor’s certification status. Their “Certification Matters” service lets patients confirm whether a physician is board‑certified and actively maintaining their credentials.
There’s also the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons (NBPAS), which provides an alternative certification pathway and offers a free verification tool for checking physician credentials.
Board certification isn’t required to practice medicine — but it’s a strong sign of advanced training and ongoing professional development.
2. Check State Medical Licenses
Every doctor must hold an active medical license in the state where they practice. State medical boards maintain public databases where you can search by name, location, or license number.
For example, the Medical Board of California offers a detailed license lookup tool that shows a doctor’s license status, training history, and any disciplinary actions.
Your own state’s medical board will have a similar search tool. These profiles often include:
- education and training
- license status
- disciplinary history
- malpractice settlements (in some states)
- practice locations
A valid, active license is the minimum requirement for practicing medicine.
3. Look for Disciplinary Actions or Complaints
State medical boards also publish disciplinary records. These may include:
- license suspensions
- probation
- revoked licenses
- formal complaints
- enforcement documents
This information helps you understand whether a doctor has had serious professional issues in the past.
Some boards even offer alerts when a doctor’s status changes — like the Medical Board of California’s License Alert app, which notifies users of updates to a doctor’s profile.
4. Review Education and Training
Most state board profiles list:
- medical school attended
- residency program
- fellowship training
- years in practice
This helps you understand a doctor’s background and whether their training aligns with your needs.
5. Check Hospital Affiliations
Hospitals typically conduct their own credentialing process before allowing a doctor to practice there. If a doctor is affiliated with reputable hospitals, it’s a good sign that their credentials have been thoroughly reviewed.
6. Read Patient Reviews (With a Grain of Salt)
Online reviews can offer insight into bedside manner, communication style, and office experience. But they shouldn’t be your only source of information — reviews can be subjective and sometimes misleading.
Use them as one piece of the puzzle, not the whole picture.
7. Trust Your Instincts
Credentials matter — but so does comfort. A doctor should:
- listen without rushing
- answer questions clearly
- respect your concerns
- involve you in decisions
If something feels off, it’s okay to keep looking.
Final Thoughts: You Deserve a Qualified, Trustworthy Doctor
Checking your doctor’s credentials isn’t about being suspicious — it’s about being empowered. You’re choosing a partner in your health, and you deserve someone who is qualified, transparent, and aligned with your needs.
With a few simple searches, you can feel confident that the person caring for you has the training, experience, and professionalism you expect.