PHYSICIANS PRACTICING ABROAD
Physician License and Credential Apostilles for Practice Abroad
Clinical trials, proctoring cases, temporary practice, medical missions, fellowships and employment abroad all begin with credentials that a foreign regulator will accept. We assemble the complete packet for physicians at Boston's academic medical centers and for the clinical research organizations, sponsors and staffing firms that send them abroad: license verification, diplomas, board and training certificates, apostilles or legalization, certified translation and delivery to each receiving site.
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PHYSICIAN CREDENTIALS
One coordinated credential packet
A personalized quote for every request
- Board of Registration in Medicine verification letters
- Diplomas, board and training certificates
- FBI checks, translation and legalization
- Delivery to each foreign site with tracking
Every country sets its own requirements
The documents physicians are typically asked for
| Document | How it is prepared | Authentication |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts medical license verification letter | Requested from the Board of Registration in Medicine with the physician's signed release; issued as an official, signed and notarized letter | Massachusetts apostille, or legalization for non-Hague countries |
| Passport | Notarized copy | Massachusetts apostille |
| Medical school diploma | Certified or notarized through the school | Apostille from the state where the school is located |
| Specialty board certificate | Prepared in the form the destination accepts | Apostille or legalization |
| Residency and fellowship certificates | Certified or notarized through the training institution | Apostille or legalization |
| FBI background check, when required | Identity History Summary obtained by the physician | Federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State |
| CV and letters of good standing, when required | Signed and notarized as the destination specifies | Apostille or legalization |
| Certified translation, when required | Spanish or another language, prepared after authentication so the apostille is translated as well | Not applicable |
A recent engagement for a temporary practice authorization abroad, for example, required the Board verification letter, a notarized passport copy, the medical school diploma, the specialty board certificate and residency and fellowship certificates, each apostilled, together with a certified Spanish translation. Requirements differ by destination, so we confirm the list with the receiving authority or your coordinating team before requesting anything.
How the authentication chain works
- 1
The issuing authority's document
Each credential begins with the body that issued it: the Board of Registration in Medicine, the medical school, the specialty board or the training institution.
- 2
Notarization
Where required, the document is signed and notarized so that it carries an official signature that can be authenticated.
- 3
Apostille or legalization
The Secretary of the Commonwealth issues the apostille for Hague Convention countries. Countries outside the Convention require the full legalization chain through their embassy.
- 4
Translation
When the destination requires it, we prepare a certified translation of the document and its apostille.
- 5
Delivery
The finished originals are shipped with tracking to the physician, the coordinating team or directly to each receiving site.
Board verification letters, requested correctly the first time
Medical school diplomas and training certificates
Several countries, several sites
Multiple original sets
When more than one site requires originals, we prepare a complete set for each one rather than asking a single packet to serve every destination.
Direct delivery abroad
Each set can be shipped by tracked international courier directly to its receiving site, with tracking shared with your team.
Scans for the coordinating team
We send scans of every finished document to the physician and the coordinating team for their records and submissions.
Destination-specific translation
Translations are prepared for the language each destination requires, so a packet for Panama and a packet for another country are each complete on their own.
Where we meet physicians
We are a mobile service, so physicians never need to visit an office. We meet them at their hospital, clinic or office in Boston, at a time that fits a clinical schedule. We have supported physicians from Boston's academic medical centers, including Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Massachusetts General Hospital
Appointments at the main campus in the West End.
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Appointments in the Longwood Medical Area.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Appointments on the East and West Campuses.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Appointments for physicians and research staff.
Boston Children's Hospital
Appointments in the Longwood Medical Area.
Boston Medical Center
Appointments in the South End.
Tufts Medical Center
Appointments downtown, near Chinatown.
Physicians outside Massachusetts or already abroad can still work with us. We handle as much of the process as possible by mail and email and ship the finished documents anywhere in the world.
For CROs, sponsors and medical staffing firms
Country guides
Panama
Apostilled credentials and Spanish translation for Panama.
El Salvador
Credentials for temporary practice and other authorizations.
Colombia
Apostilles and Spanish translation for Colombia.
Mexico
Apostilles and Spanish translation for Mexico.
Dominican Republic
Apostilles and Spanish translation for the Dominican Republic.
Spanish Translation
Certified translation by an American Translators Association Corporate Member.
Mistakes that delay physician credentials
- An online license printout. Self-generated verifications cannot be apostilled. A signed Board letter is required.
- A Board letter in the wrong form. The letter must carry a signature the Secretary of the Commonwealth will authenticate.
- One packet for several destinations. Each site that requires originals needs its own complete set.
- Translating too early. Many authorities require the apostille itself to be translated, so translation follows authentication.
- A state apostille on an FBI check. FBI checks require the federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State.
- Letters that are too old. Many foreign regulators require recently issued verifications.
What to have ready
- Your Massachusetts license number
- The destination countries and the regulator or site in each
- Each destination's document checklist
- Your schedule for a signing at your hospital or office
- Your departure or submission dates
Send whatever you have, including partial checklists, and we will confirm every remaining step.
Official sources
- Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine: license verification
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth: apostille and certification information
- U.S. Department of State: Office of Authentications
- Hague Conference: list of Apostille Convention countries
Each foreign regulator sets its own requirements and may change them. The receiving authority always has the final word.
What clients say
Excellent service, consistently reliable and professional. I've used their mobile notary services on several occasions, and each experience has been seamless. Responsive, punctual, efficient, and highly accommodating, particularly when working around demanding schedules and time-sensitive documents. A pleasure to work with and a service I would confidently recommend.
I had a great experience with the service from start to finish. They were very easy to reach online and always responded quickly whenever I had questions or needed clarification. The whole process was straightforward and well explained, and they made sure I understood everything I needed to know. Communication and confirmations were also very clear throughout. I used their apostille service for a document that needed to be sent overseas, and they took care of everything for me. The entire process was quick, smooth, and hassle-free, which I really appreciated. Overall, I’m very happy with the service and would definitely come back in the future if I have any other documents or paperwork that need notarization or apostille. Highly recommend!
Boston Mobile Notary … provided excellent services that met our scheduling needs on short notice, all for a good price. The agent was very knowledgeable and provided great guidance in meeting our particular needs
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Frequently asked questions
Does the Board of Registration in Medicine issue a letter that can be apostilled?
Yes. The Board issues official license verification letters by mail for this purpose. An online lookup cannot be apostilled. We request the letter with your signed release, in the form the Secretary of the Commonwealth will authenticate.
I am going to more than one country. How are the documents prepared?
Each country, regulator and site sets its own requirements, so we confirm what each destination requires before requesting anything. When several sites need originals, we prepare a complete set for each and ship it directly to that site.
Do I need to come to your office?
No. We meet physicians at their hospital, clinic or office in Boston. If you are outside Massachusetts, we handle as much of the process as possible by mail and email and ship the finished documents anywhere in the world.
Can my medical school diploma be apostilled?
Yes, typically through the school: the registrar certifies or notarizes the diploma, and we obtain the apostille. Harvard diplomas are issued in Latin, so most foreign authorities also require the official English translation. See How to Apostille a Diploma or Transcript.
What if my destination does not accept apostilles?
Countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention require embassy legalization instead. We manage the full chain through the destination country's embassy. See Embassy Legalization.
Do the documents need to be translated?
Many destinations require a certified translation, most often into Spanish in Latin America. As an American Translators Association Corporate Member, we prepare certified translations, and we confirm whether the receiving authority requires the translation to be prepared or validated locally.
Can you work directly with our CRO or sponsor team?
Yes. We coordinate with the physician, the sponsor or CRO team and the receiving sites, provide one point of contact and can invoice the organization directly.
How long does it take?
Timing depends on how quickly the Board and other issuers release their documents. Once we have them, Massachusetts apostilles take 1–2 business days, and federal apostilles, such as for FBI checks, take about 10 business days.
Preparing credentials for practice abroad?
Tell us the destinations, the receiving sites and your dates, and we will map out every document.