Introduction to the FSMB

The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) is a national not-for-profit organization representing 70 medical boards within the United States and its territories. It assists state medical boards in protecting the public's health, safety and welfare through promotion of high standards for physician licensure and regulation. The primary responsibility of state medical boards is to protect health care consumers through proper licensing and disciplining of physicians and, in some jurisdictions, other health care professionals.

Since its establishment in 1912, FSMB has initiated and strengthened cooperation among medical boards and facilitated collaborative efforts between medical boards and other entities. As the representative body and forum for physician licensing and disciplinary boards, the FSMB occupies a unique position of responsibility.

Mission and Core Values

Mission

Continual improvement in the quality, safety and integrity of health care through the development and promotion of high standards for physician licensure and practice.

Vision

Medical regulation will be performed through an interstate system of interconnected state boards structured as independent agencies with control over their resources, free of partisanship, federal control or special-interest influence, and utilizing consistent standards, language, definitions and tools.

State medical boards will continue to be principal entities charged with maintaining and improving the quality of health care. As an interconnected system, state boards will share information and resources, work cooperatively, and avoid duplication of effort.

The Federation of State Medical Boards will be the national and international leader in the field of medical regulation and the authoritative source of research, policy analysis and development, education, and information.

As a dynamic organization of state medical boards, the Federation will initiate and strengthen cooperation among boards, facilitate collaborative efforts between boards and other entities, develop unified policy positions and act as a trusted advocate for these positions.

Core Values

Public Protection and Accountability: promoting the health, safety and welfare of the public through an interconnected system of independent state medical boards, accountable and responsive to the public.

Leadership and Service: demonstrating innovation, cooperation and responsiveness by dedicated individuals of high purpose and integrity.

Excellence: promoting and maintaining high standards of performance and a commitment to continuous improvement.

An Important Voice in the Health Care Community

On behalf of its member medical boards, FSMB plays an increasingly important role in the health care community. The FSMB is frequently consulted by other organizations developing policy and conducting research on national health care issues. National television and print media routinely contact the FSMB for its viewpoints on medical regulatory issues, as well as for up-to-date research on policy and disciplinary data.

The FSMB has deep roots in many influential affiliated organizations. It is a founding organization of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the American Board of Medical Specialties. It is also a member organization of the National Board of Medical Examiners.

Additionally, FSMB maintains valuable and constructive relationships with the American Medical Association, Association of American Medical Colleges, National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, American Osteopathic Association, National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, Administrators in Medicine, Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada, as well as other national and international organizations relating to physician licensure and discipline.

Global Leadership

In 1994, FSMB planned and conducted the first International Conference on Medical Regulation, precipitating the formation of the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities (IAMRA). The purpose of IAMRA is to promote high standards for physician education, licensure and regulation, and facilitate the ongoing exchange of information among medical regulatory authorities worldwide. IAMRA has grown rapidly since its birth, and now consists of more than 76 member organizations in over 32 countries. The FSMB serves as Secretariat.