How to find out whether a doctor's license is currently suspended or revoked
Every state medical board maintains a public record of doctors whose licenses are suspended, revoked, or restricted. You can search these records for free online using your state's medical board website. The process takes minutes: go to your state's board site, enter the doctor's name, and see their license status and any disciplinary history.
The federal government also runs the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), which collects reports of license actions, malpractice payments, and other disciplinary events. However, the NPDB is not searchable by the public — only by healthcare institutions, insurers, and licensing boards. Your state medical board's public search is your direct tool.
If you are considering treatment from a doctor or have concerns about your current provider, checking their license status before your first visit or at any point during care is straightforward and protects you from unknowingly seeing a practitioner whose license has been restricted or removed.
Key Takeaways
- Every state medical board publishes a searchable public database of doctors with suspended, revoked, or restricted licenses on its website.
- You can search by the doctor's name and see their license status, any disciplinary actions, and the reason for suspension or revocation.
- The federal National Practitioner Data Bank exists but is not open to public search; your state board's database is your primary resource.
- Suspension usually means temporary removal of the right to practice, while revocation is permanent; restrictions may allow limited practice under conditions.
- If you discover your doctor's license is suspended or revoked, you have the right to seek care elsewhere and may want to review your medical records.
How state medical boards organize and publish license information
Each state has its own medical board (sometimes called a "board of medicine," "medical examiners," or similar). These boards issue licenses, investigate complaints, and enforce discipline. They are required by law to make disciplinary actions public.
Most state boards now offer an online search tool on their website. You search by the doctor's last name, first name, or license number. Results show the doctor's current license status, any restrictions or conditions, and a summary of disciplinary history. Some boards provide the full text of disciplinary orders; others provide a summary only.
The format and detail vary by state. Some boards update their databases daily; others weekly. If you search and find no record, the doctor either holds a current unrestricted license or is not licensed in that state. If you are unsure which state to search, start with the state where the doctor practices.
What suspension, revocation, and restriction actually mean
Suspension is a temporary removal of the right to practice medicine. The doctor cannot see patients or prescribe during the suspension period. Suspensions typically last months to a few years and may be followed by reinstatement if conditions are met (such as completing a treatment program or passing a new exam). A suspended doctor's license is not gone — it is paused.
Revocation is permanent removal of the license. The doctor cannot practice medicine in that state again without going through the full licensing process from the beginning, which is rare. Revocation is the most serious action a board can take and usually follows serious misconduct, repeated violations, or criminal conviction.
Restriction or limitation means the doctor can still practice but under conditions. Common restrictions include: practicing only in a hospital setting, not prescribing certain drugs, practicing only under supervision, or submitting to regular monitoring. A restricted license is active but narrower than an unrestricted one.
Some boards also use terms like "probation" or "consent order," which typically mean the doctor has agreed to specific conditions to keep their license. The exact terminology and definitions vary slightly by state, but the state board's search result will explain what each status means.
Common reasons why licenses are suspended or revoked
Medical boards investigate complaints from patients, other healthcare providers, hospitals, and law enforcement. The most frequent grounds for discipline include: substance abuse or impairment, sexual misconduct, fraud or billing violations, gross negligence or incompetence, criminal conviction, and failure to maintain required continuing education or insurance.
Substance abuse is one of the leading reasons for suspension. Many boards offer programs that allow doctors to practice under strict monitoring (random drug testing, practice restrictions) rather than full suspension, especially if the doctor enters treatment voluntarily.
Sexual misconduct, fraud, and serious patient harm typically result in revocation or long-term suspension. Criminal convictions — even outside medicine — can trigger board action if they suggest unfitness to practice.
Not all complaints result in discipline. Boards investigate thousands of complaints each year and dismiss many as unfounded or outside their jurisdiction. Only complaints with evidence of a violation lead to formal action.
What to do if you discover your doctor's license is suspended or revoked
If you find that your current doctor's license is suspended or revoked, stop scheduling appointments when ready. Do not assume the doctor will tell you — you have discovered information the doctor may not have disclosed.
Request a copy of your medical records from the doctor's office. You have a legal right to your records under federal law (HIPAA) and most state laws. The office must provide them within 30 days, usually for a small copying fee. Keep these records for your own files and to share with a new provider.
If you were harmed by the doctor or believe the suspension or revocation relates to care you received, you may want to consult a medical malpractice attorney. Many offer free initial consultations and can review whether you have a claim. Your state bar association can provide referrals.
You can also file a complaint with the state medical board if you have concerns about care you received. The board investigates complaints and may take action even if the doctor's license is already suspended or revoked — for example, to may support the doctor does not attempt to practice under a different name or in another state.
How to search your state's medical board database
Start by searching "[your state] medical board" or "[your state] board of medicine" in a web browser. The official state board website will appear in the top results. Look for a link labeled "search," "lookup," "verify license," or "disciplinary actions."
Enter the doctor's name (last name and first name, or just last name if the search allows). Some boards also let you search by license number if you have it. Click search and review the results.
If the doctor's name does not appear, the license is either current and unrestricted or the doctor is not licensed in that state. If the name appears with a status other than "active" or "unrestricted," read the details carefully. The board's website will explain what the status means and may provide the date the action took effect and when it expires (if applicable).
If you have trouble finding your state's board or using its search tool, call the board's main office. Staff can tell you the doctor's license status over the phone and may mail or email you a copy of the disciplinary record.
Limits of the public database and what it does not show
The state medical board database shows actions taken by that state's board only. If a doctor is licensed in multiple states, you need to search each state separately. A doctor suspended in one state may still hold an active license in another, though many boards do share information and may take action in response to discipline in another state.
The database does not show malpractice lawsuits or settlements unless they were large enough to be reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank and then reported back to the state board. Many malpractice cases settle confidentially and do not appear in public records.
The database does not show complaints that were dismissed or investigations that found no violation. It shows only actions the board took — suspensions, revocations, restrictions, and consent orders.
If you want to know about malpractice history or pending lawsuits, you can search the doctor's name in your county court records online or hire a background check service. These searches are separate from the medical board database.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a doctor practice while their license is suspended?
No. A suspended license means the doctor cannot legally practice medicine, prescribe, or see patients during the suspension period. Practicing while suspended is a crime. If you discover a doctor is practicing with a suspended license, report it to your state medical board when ready.
If a doctor's license is revoked, can they get it back?
Revocation is permanent in most cases. A doctor whose license is revoked would have to explore for a new license from scratch, which is extremely rare and usually denied. Some states allow reinstatement petitions after many years, but the bar is very high. Suspension, by contrast, is temporary and may end after the suspension period or after conditions are met.
What if the doctor I'm seeing is licensed in another state?
Search the medical board in the state where the doctor is licensed. If the doctor practices in multiple states, search each one. Some doctors hold licenses in several states; others hold one primary license and may be registered to practice in another state under reciprocity agreements. The doctor's office can tell you which state issued their primary license.
Does a restriction on a doctor's license mean they are unsafe?
A restriction means the board found grounds for discipline but allowed the doctor to continue practicing under conditions. The restriction is designed to protect patients — for example, requiring supervision or prohibiting certain procedures. Whether to see a restricted doctor is your choice, but you should understand what the restriction is and why it was imposed before deciding.
How long does it take for a suspension or revocation to show up in the database?
Most state boards update their databases within days to a few weeks of a disciplinary action. Some update daily. If you search and do not find a recent action you heard about, try again in a few days or call the board directly to confirm the status.