General Information:
Q: What is the Guam Board of Medical Examiners (GBME)?
A: The GBME is the regulatory authority responsible for licensing, regulating, promulgating, anddisciplining physicians practicing in Guam. Our mission is to protect the public through the enforcement of professional standards and laws.
Q: Who does the GBME regulate?
A: GBME licenses and regulates: Medical Doctors (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), and Physician Assistants (PA).
Q: How often does the GBME meet?
A: Board meetings are regularly scheduled for the second (2nd) Wednesday of each month. Meeting dates are subject to change due to scheduling conflicts or unforeseen circumstances.
Licensing:
Q: How do I get an application?
A: You can download the PDF fillable application from our Forms tab https://guamhplo.org/gbme/forms
Q: How should I pay the application, license, renewal, or other fee?
A: Payments can be made online - https://guamhplo.org/gbme/pay
Q: How long does the licensing process take?
A: Applications typically undergo a preliminary review within 5–7 business days of receipt. Applicants will be notified by email if additional information is needed or if the application is incomplete. Once deemed complete, applications are forwarded to the GBME for formal review at its monthly meeting. The entire process usually takes 4–8 weeks, depending on the completeness of the submission and the volume of applications.
Q: When can I get a status update on my application?
A: Once the preliminary review is completed, the GBME staff will notify you of any deficiencies. If there are no deficiencies, the application will move forward to the next phase of the application process.
Q: Are there any other documents I need to submit in addition to the application?
A: Yes, additional documents include: Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS) Medical Professional Profile, National Practitioner Data Bank Report, and AMA Physician Profile.
Q: I previously submitted supplemental documents, but did not submit the application. Do you still have them?
A: The Board holds received documents for one year. Documents are destroyed after one year if no application is received.
Q: How long is my license valid?
A: Licenses expire on December 31 of every odd-numbered year.
Q: Why do I have to provide you with my Social Security Number (SSN)?
A: Federal legislation mandates that any government entity that issues a license (driver’s license, business license, professional license) must collect a SSN. Compliance is mandatory for the issuance of a license.
Q: What are the continuing medical education (CME) requirements for initial licensure?
A: Initial License - A minimum of 100 credits hours of CME over the past two (2) years. Of this, at least a minimum of 50 Category I credit hours relevant in the field of your practice.
Q: How many years of postgraduate training are required?
A: Applicants shall have satisfactorily completed at least thirty-six (36) months of progressive postgraduate medical training in an institution in the United States, its territories or possessions, or Canada.
Q: Can my application be expedited if I have an employment opportunity pending the approval of my application?
A: No. Applications are reviewed and considered in the order they are received. To help ensure your application is complete and processed promptly, we recommend obtaining any required documents from external organizations or third parties prior to submission.
Verification:
Q: What is the difference between a Primary Source Verification vs a License Verification?
A: Primary Source Verification provides minimal information such as; license number, licensee name, status, and specialty. This verification is free of charge. License Verification provides extended information regarding a licensee such as; license number, licensee name, statues, effective date, expiration date, specialty, and disciplinary information (if any). There is a $25 fee charged for this verification.
Q: How do I obtain a license verification from the Guam Board of Medical Examiners?
A:Active primary source verification may be found by visiting: www.guamhplo.org/gbme and clicking the “Providers” tab. You may search a licensee status by FIRST &/or LAST NAME. (If you are unable to locate a licensee, please contact the Health Professional Licensing Office via email: [email protected] cc: [email protected] with the subject line: Primary Source Verification: Licensee Name)
For License Verification, please refer to the steps below & required documents;
Required Documents:
- An updated authorization to release information signed by the licensee.
- A completed “Record of Payment” form. (GBME-7)- https://guamhplo.org/sites/default/files/record_of_payment.pdf
- $25 license verification fee may be paid online at https://guamhplo.org/gbme/pay or mailed to our office located at; 194 Hernan Cortez Avenue, Suite 213A. Terlaje Professional Building, Hagatna, Guam 96910."
Please note the following:
** If paying by check or money order, ensure it is made payable to “TREASURER OF GUAM”. **
** Please include in the request, an address or email to where the verification will be sent. Verification requests with no address/email, will be sent to the last known address of the licensee on file. **
Incomplete requests will not be processed.
Renewal:
Q: How often do I need to renew my license?
A:Medical licenses must be renewed by December 31 of every odd-numbered year. Submission of renewal applications are accepted three (3) months prior to expiration.
Q: What are the continuing medical education (CME) requirements for renewal?
A: Renewal License – A minimum of 50 credit hours of CME over the past (2) years.
Q: How early can I submit my renewal application during a renewal year?
A: Renewal applications may be submitted three (3) months prior to expiration.
Q: What happens if I miss my renewal deadline?
A: Renewal applications submitted after the expiration date will incur a late penalty fee. Applications will be accepted through March 31 of the year following the renewal period. After that date, individuals must apply for reinstatement.