As of September 2, 2014, physicians in Arizona applying for initial medical licenses or renewing their medical licenses are required to submit a fingerprint card along with the application to the Arizona Medical Board in order to better allow the Arizona Medical Board to conduct criminal records checks. 

This requirement results from SB1380, which was signed into law earlier this year and codified in A.R.S. § 32-1422(12) and A.R.S. § 32-1430(E). SB1380’s stated purpose is to increase patient protection by facilitating state and federal criminal background checks on Arizona physicians.

The Arizona Medical Board via its website provides specific instructions for submitting the fingerprint card along with the initial or renewal license application, and applicants should pay close attention to these instructions in order to avoid unnecessary delays in the application process. You may obtain fingerprinting at police departments and sheriff’s offices, as well as through private fingerprinting entities. Physicians must use the specific fingerprint card provided by the Arizona Medical Board, as opposed to generic fingerprint cards. Required fingerprint cards are found on the Arizona Medical Board’s website. A $50 processing fee is required with the completed fingerprint card.