IDFPR Standardizes Third Party Communication for Physician Applicants

SPRINGFIELD – Applicants seeking a physician or temporary physician license in Illinois will now find it easier to authorize third-party communications with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Effective immediately, IDFPR will include a standardized authorization form in all physician application packets, providing a streamlined process for granting employers or license credentialing companies permission to discuss a licensee’s application with the Department.

“The idea for making this simple, but effective, change evolved out of discussions with medical professionals within the industry on how we can create a more efficient regulatory experience,” said Bryan A. Schneider. “By providing a standardized form for individuals or companies to contact IDFPR on behalf of a medical applicant, we streamline the application process and create a more straight-forward, user friendly experience. Looking to the future, we hope to expand its availability to the other professions we regulate.”

Individuals or entities authorized by the applicant will be able to contact IDFPR on the following:

Determine if the application has been received and logged into IDFPR’s electronic licensing system.
Determine if the application has been reviewed by IDFPR’s licensing unit and if any deficiencies have been identified, such as missing transcripts or exam scores, missing or incomplete forms or missing out of state certifications.
Authorized individuals can receive information on how to resolve deficiencies, such as printing out forms for the applicant to complete, or be directed to a list of authorized fingerprint vendors. Deficiency notices will also be sent directly to the applicant as the applications are reviewed.

Please note that pursuant to Federal Law (28 CFR 50.12), criminal history information may not be disclosed to third parties and will only be communicated to the applicant directly.

“The Illinois Health and Hospital Association applauds the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation on improving the physician and temporary medical permit application process,” said Jay Bhatt, DO, MPH, MPA, FACP, Chief Health Officer. “As a physician, I can appreciate efforts to make licensing for those who are relocating to Illinois to practice efficient and less cumbersome. This is a step in the right direction to help to improve patient access to care and restore joy in medicine.”