FAQs

Names on License

The following was adopted by the Board of Medicine in 2024. 

A licensee must practice under the name on their license.  A licensee must practice under the legal name, unless otherwise authorized by the Board.  A licensee may practice under their maiden name or other court appointed name if the licensee provides verification of the practitioner’s legal name and maiden/court appointed name, along with a statement as to why they wish to practice under a different name other than their legal name, any past and future intended use of the name, and verification of names (marriage certificate, marriage dissolution documents, driver’s license, court records, etc. that would establish the name change).  This will be documented in the practitioner’s resources in the database in order to verify any names or aliases for licensure verification and discipline.  The use of a name other than the practitioner’s legal name with the above information will be reviewed and approved by the Board Chair and Executive Director – unless in their discretion, it should require full Board approval.

What does "board certified" mean and is it different from being licensed?

Yes, it is different. Every physician must hold a license to practice medicine. Medical boards in U.S. states and other jurisdictions (such as Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, and so forth) issue licenses. These boards have legal authority to issue licenses, investigate and discipline practitioners, and regulate the practice of medicine within their state or territory.

In addition to licensing, some physicians may be board certified in their specialty. These boards are different from the state boards that issue licenses. Practitioners of a certain medical specialty can establish a specialty board or professional association. The specialty board or association determines appropriate qualifications (such as examinations, competency demonstrations, or training) which show an acceptable minimum level of knowledge and awards a certificate or certification to those practitioners who meet the qualifications. Every recognized medical specialty and many subspecialties have established boards to examine the qualifications of physicians practicing that specialty. Typically, physicians who have completed a period of training ("residency") in a particular specialty and who pass an examination given by the board of that specialty are then qualified to become "board certified."

Traditionally, when a physician says s/he is 'board certified', s/he is claiming to be certified by a specialty board recognized by the American Board of Medicial Specialties  or the American Osteopathic Associations's Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists.  There may be other boards issuing similar certifications; requirements may be similar or different.

What is the difference between a MD and a DO?

An MD is a medical doctor who graduated from a medical school. A DO is an osteopathic medical doctor who graduated from an osteopathic college. Both types of institutions prepare the student to become a physician, but the osteopathic college places more emphasis on the role the bones play in health. Students at an osteopathic college must learn the same things students at medical schools do, and must pass the same kinds of tests. Both types of physician may do any type of medical procedure, and both may practice any of the recognized specialties.

What information does the Board give the public about its licensees?

The Board provides the public with the status of a license, practice location, length of North Dakota Licensure, and any disciplinary history in North Dakota.  For physicians, the name of their medical school and practice specialty are also provided.

Beginning with physicians licensed in 2013, the Board will also provide information on postgraduate training including all residencies and internships.

To access licensee information - visit the Verify License Status page on the Board's website.

Does the Board provide malpractice information?

No.  Medical malpractice settlements and judgments are reported by insurance companies to the North Dakota Insurance Department, which provides reports to the public upon request.  Typically, there is no charge for this information.  The Insurance Department may be contacted at 701.328.2440 or by email.

How do I file a complaint with the Board about a physician, physician assistant, genetic counselor, or naturopathic doctor?

File a Complaint 

Can I file a complaint over the telephone?

No. Putting the complaint in writing assures that the information is accurately conveyed versus the Board office resuscitation of what was conveyed. 

Do I have to attach my name to the complaint?

The Board strongly discourages anonymous complaints. It makes it just about impossible to investigate and prove a case without the most important witness to what happened. Therefore, in most cases, we require complaints to be signed.

Can I file a complaint on behalf of someone else, such as my children or my parents?

Yes.  Anyone may file a complaint if he or she has reason to believe a licensee has violated the state's medical practice law.  Grounds for discipline are outlined on the Filing a Complaint page. 

Is there a time limit for filing a complaint?

No, but it is sometimes very difficult to investigate an incident that happened years before. The Board encourages you to file a complaint as soon as you feel you have a basis for doing so.

What can the Board do to a licensee if it finds my complaint is valid?

If the Board finds a licensee violated the applicable practice act, it has the authority take any appropriate action against the license to practice in North Dakota that is necessary to keep the public safe, including revoking the license or placing restrictions on license.

What can the Board NOT take against a license?

The Board does not have the authority to:

• Award money damages
• Intervene in insurance claims, billing disputes, or mandate reimbursement
• Intervene in employment or contract disputes
• Represent you in malpractice orother civil acitons against a licensee
• Force a physician to provide different or further treatment

If the Board dismisses my complaint, can the licensee sue me?

No - as long as the complaint is filed "in good faith."  See North Dakota Century Code section 43-17.1-05(1). 

Will my complaint and name be made public?

Under state law, complaints filed by members of the public are confidential, as are licensee responses and all investigative material of the Board.  This is done to protect the privacy of the patient-provider relationship.

When an investigative panel of the Board brings a formal action against a licensee, all pleadings and official court records not filed under seal are open to the public.  The final Orders of discipline are posted on the Board's website and under the licensee's disciplinary history.  But even in public, disciplinary cases, neither the original complaint nor the name of the patient involved are revealed.

Can I be charged just to look at my medical records?

No, your health care provider may not charge you for inspecting your records.

Can a physician refuse to see me as a patient?

Yes. The doctor is free to end the doctor/patient relationship at any time, just as the patient is. There is no law that forces a physician to take on or continue to care for a specific patient. If a physician decides not to continue treating a patient, he/she may terminate the relationship without giving any explanation. The physician should give the patient written notice and agree to provide care for emergent/urgent issues, depending on circumstances.  Circumstances in which the patient is disruptive, hostile or dangerous, that time frame may be as little as one day.