The Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical License Application is the official form that doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) submit to the Pennsylvania State Board of Osteopathic Medicine to obtain legal authority to practice osteopathic medicine in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Filing is handled through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) online portal, with supporting documents submitted electronically or by mail to the board’s Harrisburg office.
The application is governed by the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act, 63 P.S. §§ 271.1–271.18 and the regulations at 49 Pa. Code Chapter 25. According to the Federation of State Medical Boards, Pennsylvania licenses more than 11,000 osteopathic physicians, with first-time applicants waiting an average of 8–12 weeks for processing when paperwork is filed correctly. A single missing document — most often the PA Child Abuse History Clearance — can stall a residency start date or a signed job offer.
Here is what this guide covers:
- 📝 How to complete every field on the PALS application without triggering a hold
- 📅 The exact deadlines, biennial renewal cycle, and Act 31 training rules
- 💵 Current fees, payment methods, and refund rules for the initial license
- 🧾 Every supporting document the board requires, including FCVS, COMLEX, and fingerprint clearances
- ⚠️ The mistakes that cause 1 in 5 applications to be returned, and how to avoid them
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical License Application is the gateway document that turns a graduate DO into a licensed physician under 63 P.S. § 271.3. The application authorizes the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine to confirm a candidate’s education, postgraduate training, examination scores, character, and clearances before granting an unrestricted license to practice. Without this license, no person may hold themselves out as a DO, prescribe medication, or bill insurers in Pennsylvania.
Several application tracks exist within PALS, and choosing the wrong one is the most common reason for rejection on day one. The unrestricted Osteopathic Medical License application is for DOs who finished an ACGME or AOA-approved residency. The Graduate Training License is for residents and interns still in training. License by endorsement is for DOs already licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction. A temporary license and a volunteer license round out the menu.
Anyone practicing osteopathic medicine in Pennsylvania — whether in a hospital, private clinic, telehealth platform serving Pennsylvania patients, or correctional facility — must file. Federal employees at VA hospitals are exempt under federal preemption, but most still secure a state license to keep career mobility. The current revision of the application is the PALS 2025 release, refreshed to capture the Act 31 Child Abuse Recognition training mandate and the FBI Rap Back enrollment line added in 2024.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Open a folder on your desktop and gather every item below before you log into PALS. The portal times out after 30 minutes of inactivity, so hunting for a transcript mid-application risks losing your progress. Each missing item below corresponds to a real hold the board places on incomplete files.
- Official osteopathic medical school transcript sent directly from the school’s registrar to the board, because self-uploaded copies are rejected on receipt.
- COMLEX-USA Levels 1, 2, and 3 score reports transmitted electronically through the NBOME score transfer service, since paper printouts are not accepted.
- FCVS Physician Information Profile from the Federation Credentials Verification Service, required if you trained outside Pennsylvania or graduated more than five years ago.
- ECFMG certification for any DO trained at a foreign osteopathic school, sent through ECFMG directly to the board.
- PA Child Abuse History Clearance obtained through Compass at a $13 fee, dated within 12 months of submission.
- PA State Police Criminal Record Check ordered through PATCH at a $22 fee, dated within 12 months.
- FBI fingerprint clearance scheduled through IdentoGO using service code 1KG6Y3, at $25.25 per print.
- Act 31 Child Abuse Recognition training certificate from a DHS-approved provider, showing 3 hours of mandated reporter education.
- Postgraduate training verification letter from your residency program director, on letterhead, listing exact start and end dates.
- Government-issued photo ID matching the legal name on the application, used for fingerprint verification.
- Social Security number, payment card, and a working email that you will keep for the life of the license.
Each item above maps to a specific field. Missing the COMLEX transmission, for example, leaves your file frozen at the examination verified stage with no notice to you unless you log in to PALS.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The Pennsylvania osteopathic application is online-only through the PALS portal. There is no PDF version of the unrestricted DO license application, and the board returns any paper packet sent in by mistake. The only paper forms in the process are third-party verifications — the training verification letter and the licensure verification request from other states.
To start, create a PALS account at www.pals.pa.gov using your legal name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card. Click Apply for New License, select State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, then Osteopathic Physician — MD/DO. The system assigns a temporary application ID that lets you save and return.
Bookmark the board’s resource page for instructions, fees, and statutes. The board contact line is (717) 783-4858, staffed Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern. Mail-only documents go to State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649.
If you trained outside the United States, you must also order an FCVS profile through the FSMB FCVS portal before opening the PALS application. FCVS profiles take 4–6 weeks, so plan backwards from your residency or job start date. Out-of-state licensees should request verification of licensure from each state board and route it through FCVS to keep the file unified.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical License Application Line by Line
The PALS application is divided into eight pages. Complete the pages in the order PALS presents them; the system blocks page 5 if pages 1–4 contain blanks. The walkthrough below covers every field, in order, with the exact field name from the screen.
Section 1: Personal Information — Legal Name
This field asks for your full legal name as it appears on your Social Security card. Enter it in First, Middle, Last order with no titles or suffixes in the first three boxes. Aisha M. Patel enters Aisha in First, Marie in Middle, and Patel in Last. If you go by a professional name that differs from your legal name, use the Other Names Used box farther down the page. A common mistake is dropping the middle name to match a diploma; the board cross-checks against the SSA database, and a mismatch triggers an identity hold that takes 2–3 weeks to clear. A common misconception is that you can use your married name without updating your Social Security record first — you cannot, because the FBI fingerprint return must match SSA records.
Section 1: Personal Information — Date of Birth
This field asks for your birth date. Enter it in MM/DD/YYYY format with slashes, not dashes. Marcus DiLeo enters 07/19/1996. If your birth certificate uses a non-Gregorian calendar, convert the date and keep a translated certificate in your folder in case the board asks. The most common mistake is transposing month and day, which the system catches only when the value is impossible (e.g., 13/05); a 04/07 entered as 07/04 will pass silently and reappear later as a discrepancy with FCVS. A misconception is that the board will accept circa dates for older foreign graduates; it will not.
Section 1: Personal Information — Social Security Number
This field asks for your nine-digit SSN. Enter it without dashes. Maria Lopez enters 123456789. If you do not have an SSN because you are an international applicant, check the No SSN box and upload a sworn statement; the board will issue a temporary identifier. The biggest mistake is entering an ITIN instead of an SSN, which fails the IRS match used for licensee tax compliance under Pennsylvania’s licensee tax compliance rule. A misconception is that the SSN is optional for licensure — under 23 Pa. C.S. § 4304.1, state professional licenses require the SSN for child support enforcement compliance.
Section 1: Personal Information — Mailing Address
This field asks for the address where the board can reach you. Enter the street, apartment number, city, state, and ZIP code in standard U.S. Postal Service format. Janet Okafor enters 1145 Walnut St, Apt 3B, Philadelphia, PA 19107. A P.O. Box is allowed for mail, but you must also enter a physical residence in the Residence Address box. The most common mistake is using a temporary residency program address; when you move after match, your wall certificate goes to the old apartment and gets lost. A misconception is that updating your address with your employer updates it with the board — it does not, and 49 Pa. Code § 25.5 requires you to notify the board within 10 days of any change.
Section 1: Personal Information — Email and Phone
This field asks for the contact channels the board uses for status updates. Enter a personal email you will keep beyond residency and a mobile phone number. Carlos Rivera enters carlos.rivera.do@gmail.com and 215-555-0144. Avoid hospital or school emails because access ends when training does. The most common mistake is using a residency program email; when the program revokes access, you miss the renewal reminder and let your license lapse. A misconception is that PALS sends paper notices for license actions — it sends only email, and a bounced message counts as delivered under 49 Pa. Code § 25.5.
Section 2: Education — Osteopathic Medical School
This field asks for the school that granted your DO degree. Select your school from the dropdown linked to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine list. Aisha Patel selects Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and enters graduation date 05/24/2024. If your school is not in the dropdown, your degree may not qualify, and you should call the board before paying the fee. The biggest mistake is choosing the wrong campus — PCOM has Philadelphia and Georgia campuses, and the board’s verification fails if the campus does not match the registrar’s transcript. A misconception is that an MD degree from a foreign school plus a U.S. osteopathic certificate qualifies; only a degree from a COCA-accredited school qualifies.
Section 2: Education — Premedical Education
This field asks for your undergraduate institution and degree. Enter the school’s full name, location, degree type, and graduation date. Marcus DiLeo enters Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, B.S. Biology, 05/2018. List every undergraduate institution if you transferred. The most common mistake is omitting a community college where you earned prerequisites, which triggers a transcript request later. A misconception is that the board needs official undergraduate transcripts — it does not, but FCVS does, so route them through FCVS first.
Section 3: Postgraduate Training — Internship and Residency
This field asks for every postgraduate training program you attended. Enter program name, specialty, ACGME/AOA program ID, start date, end date, and reason for leaving (if not completion). Janet Okafor enters Geisinger Internal Medicine Residency, ACGME ID 1404021223, 07/01/2021–06/30/2024, completed. Each program must submit a verification letter directly. The biggest mistake is leaving out a program you started but did not finish; the board checks AOA and ACGME databases, and the omission reads as fraud under 63 P.S. § 271.15. A misconception is that prelim years do not count — they do, and you must list them.
Section 4: Examinations — COMLEX-USA
This field asks for COMLEX-USA Level 1, Level 2-CE, Level 2-PE (if applicable), and Level 3 dates and results. Enter the date you passed each level in MM/DD/YYYY format. Carlos Rivera enters Level 1: 06/15/2021, Level 2-CE: 09/02/2022, Level 3: 11/12/2023. Order an electronic score transfer through the NBOME score transfer portal at $80 per recipient. The most common mistake is requesting paper transcripts; the board does not accept them, and you will pay the fee twice. A misconception is that USMLE alone qualifies a DO — it does not for the osteopathic license, though USMLE may substitute under 49 Pa. Code § 25.161 for DOs who took it during dual training.
Section 5: Disciplinary and Malpractice History
This field asks whether you have ever been disciplined, sued, arrested, charged, or had a license denied. Answer each yes/no question and upload a written explanation for any yes. Marcus DiLeo answers No to all but yes to a college DUI in 2017, then uploads a notarized statement, the court disposition, and an evaluation letter. The biggest mistake is omitting an expunged charge; expungement under state law does not erase disclosure obligations to the licensing board. A misconception is that a dismissed lawsuit need not be reported — Pennsylvania asks about settled, dismissed, or pending malpractice actions, all of which require disclosure under 49 Pa. Code § 25.211.
Section 6: Child Abuse Recognition Training (Act 31)
This field asks whether you have completed the 3-hour mandated reporter training required by Act 31 of 2014. Upload the certificate from a DHS-approved provider such as the University of Pittsburgh’s free online module. Aisha Patel uploads her 03/14/2026 certificate. The most common mistake is uploading a generic continuing education certificate that does not name Act 31; the board rejects it. A misconception is that hospital orientation training counts — it does not unless the hospital is on the DHS-approved provider list.
Section 7: Background Checks and Fingerprints
This field asks for confirmation that you have ordered the PA State Police, PA Child Abuse, and FBI fingerprint clearances. Upload the State Police PATCH certificate and the Child Abuse certificate, and enter your IdentoGO confirmation number. Janet Okafor enters IdentoGO confirmation 1KG6Y3-2026-0814-77321. Use service code 1KG6Y3 at IdentoGO so the result routes to the board automatically. The biggest mistake is using a generic FBI channeler; results sent to your home address do not satisfy the board and the print expires after 90 days. A misconception is that a hospital-ordered fingerprint card transfers — it does not, and you must print again.
Section 8: Attestation, Signature, and Payment
This field asks you to attest under penalty of perjury that everything is true and to pay the fee. Type your full legal name as the electronic signature, check the attestation box, and enter the date. Carlos Rivera signs Carlos M. Rivera on 05/28/2026 and pays the $45 initial license fee plus a $30 application fee by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. The most common mistake is using a corporate card the residency later disputes; a chargeback voids the application. A misconception is that the fee is refundable if denied — it is not, under 49 Pa. Code § 25.231.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three scenarios below walk three different DOs through the entire PALS application. Each table shows the actual entries on the most important sections.
Scenario 1: Aisha Patel — New PCOM Graduate Applying for First Unrestricted License
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Legal Name | Aisha Marie Patel |
| Date of Birth | 04/22/1996 |
| Mailing Address | 1145 Walnut St, Apt 3B, Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
| Osteopathic School | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, 05/24/2024 |
| Postgraduate Training | Penn Medicine Family Medicine Residency, 07/01/2024–06/30/2027, completed |
| COMLEX Levels | L1: 06/15/2022, L2-CE: 09/02/2023, L3: 11/12/2024 |
| Act 31 Training | University of Pittsburgh, 03/14/2026, 3 hours |
| Disciplinary History | No to all questions |
| Background Checks | PATCH 04/01/2026; CY-113 04/02/2026; FBI 04/05/2026 |
| Fee Paid | $75 total via Visa |
Scenario 2: Marcus DiLeo — DO Licensed in Ohio Applying by Endorsement
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Legal Name | Marcus James DiLeo |
| Application Type | License by Endorsement |
| Current Licenses | Ohio DO #57.012345, active since 07/15/2018 |
| FCVS Profile | FSMB FCVS ID 7788321, transmitted 04/12/2026 |
| Postgraduate Training | Ohio State Internal Medicine, 07/2014–06/2017 |
| COMLEX Levels | L1: 06/2012, L2-CE: 09/2013, L3: 09/2017 |
| Disciplinary Disclosure | Yes — 2017 DUI, expungement and explanation attached |
| Malpractice History | One settled claim 2021, NPDB report attached |
| Act 31 Training | Pennsylvania Medical Society module, 02/10/2026 |
| Fee Paid | $75 plus $80 NBOME transfer plus $250 FCVS |
Scenario 3: Janet Okafor — Foreign-Trained Osteopath Needing ECFMG Verification
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Legal Name | Janet Adaeze Okafor |
| Date of Birth | 11/03/1989 |
| Osteopathic School | British College of Osteopathic Medicine (foreign equivalency review) |
| ECFMG Status | Certified, ECFMG ID 0-555-321-4, sent 03/15/2026 |
| FCVS Profile | FCVS ID 8821094, transmitted 03/30/2026 |
| Postgraduate Training | Geisinger Internal Medicine, 07/01/2023–06/30/2026 |
| COMLEX Levels | L1: 02/12/2022, L2-CE: 05/04/2023, L3: 02/14/2026 |
| Act 31 Training | DHS-approved University of Pittsburgh module, 04/02/2026 |
| Background Checks | PATCH, CY-113, and IdentoGO completed 04/2026 |
| Fee Paid | $75 plus FCVS and ECFMG verification fees |
How to File the Completed Form
The Pennsylvania osteopathic license application is filed through one primary channel and supported by two secondary channels for documents only.
Online filing through PALS is the only accepted route for the application itself. Go to www.pals.pa.gov, submit, and pay the $45 license fee plus $30 application fee ($75 total) by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. Processing takes 8–12 weeks once all third-party verifications arrive. Save the PDF receipt PALS generates as proof of filing; the receipt includes a confirmation number starting with OST-.
Mail filing for supporting documents goes to State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649. There is no fee for mailed verifications because they are sent by third parties (registrars, residency programs, other state boards). Expect 5–7 business days for delivery and another 5–7 for the board to log the document into your file. Use a tracked carrier so you can prove delivery if PALS does not show receipt.
In-person delivery is permitted at 2601 N. 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110 during business hours, but the board does not provide same-day intake; you drop in the same mail slot. There is no fax option for this license. Keep a digital copy of every document plus your OST- confirmation number for at least 5 years, since 49 Pa. Code § 25.231 lets the board reopen any application within that window.
What Happens After You File
After you submit, PALS routes the file to a licensing analyst who screens for missing items. You receive an email within 7–10 business days listing any deficiencies. Fix each deficiency through the Upload Additional Documents link in PALS; do not start a new application. Each upload restarts a 5-day analyst review, so batch fixes when you can.
Once the file is complete, the analyst forwards it to a board attorney if any yes answer appears in the disciplinary section. Clean files skip the legal review and go straight to license issuance. Issuance is electronic — your wall certificate ships within 4 weeks, but your license number is active in the License Verification database the day the analyst clicks issue.
Your initial license expires on October 31 of the next even-numbered year, regardless of when in the cycle you are licensed. A DO licensed in March 2026 expires October 31, 2026, and must renew with 100 hours of CME including 4 hours of patient safety/risk management and 2 hours of opioid/pain management the next cycle. Plan CME accordingly so you do not face a renewal under the short cycle without enough credits.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Typing your name differently than on your Social Security card. The mismatch triggers an SSA identity hold lasting 2–3 weeks.
- Skipping the Act 31 certificate upload. The board cannot issue without it, and it is the single most common deficiency.
- Using a hospital email instead of a personal one. Renewal reminders bounce, and the license lapses without notice.
- Self-uploading your medical school transcript. Only registrar-direct transcripts count; your upload is ignored.
- Listing an incomplete residency without an explanation letter. The omission reads as fraud and triggers a 63 P.S. § 271.15 review.
- Failing to disclose an expunged DUI. Expungement does not erase your duty to disclose, and discovery later means license revocation.
- Ordering FBI prints without service code 1KG6Y3. Prints not coded to Pennsylvania never reach the board.
- Letting your PATCH or CY-113 clearance age past 12 months. The board rejects anything older, and you re-pay the fees.
- Paying with a corporate card the employer disputes. A chargeback voids the application even if the file is otherwise complete.
- Forgetting to request the FCVS profile early. FCVS takes 4–6 weeks; starting late delays your residency or job start.
- Mailing the application instead of using PALS. Paper applications are returned without processing.
- Listing a P.O. Box as your only address. The board requires both a residence and a mailing address.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do start the FCVS profile before opening PALS, because FCVS is the longest pole in the tent.
- Do use a personal email you will keep for life, since renewal reminders go only by email.
- Do save your OST- confirmation number, because every call to the board starts with it.
- Do order all three background checks the same week, because they expire together.
- Do upload a written explanation for every yes answer, because the analyst will request one anyway.
- Do call the board before paying if your school is not in the AACOM dropdown, because the fee is non-refundable.
- Don’t use a married name unless your Social Security card already shows it.
- Don’t mail the application; PALS is the only valid channel.
- Don’t assume hospital orientation counts as Act 31; only DHS-approved providers qualify.
- Don’t skip the Other Names Used field if you have a maiden name, prior legal name, or transliterated name.
- Don’t omit dismissed lawsuits or expunged charges; both must be disclosed.
- Don’t wait until residency ends to apply; you can apply 60 days before completion to align license issuance with your start date.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
- Pro (pro se): Saves the $500–$1,500 fee a licensure service charges, because the form is straightforward for clean files.
- Pro (pro se): You learn the system, useful when you renew, add states, or update your file later.
- Pro (pro se): Faster turnaround for issues, because you control every upload.
- Pro (with help): A licensure service tracks third-party documents, useful when you juggle five state applications at once.
- Pro (with help): Services flag disclosure landmines you might miss, especially expunged or sealed records.
- Pro (with help): Lawyer-assisted filings catch 49 Pa. Code § 25.211 issues before they become formal denials.
- Con (pro se): You miss email deficiencies if life gets busy.
- Con (pro se): A bad disclosure narrative can sink an otherwise clean file.
- Con (with help): Cost runs $500–$1,500, plus add-ons for FCVS routing.
- Con (with help): You still must sign every attestation, so you cannot fully delegate.
- Con (with help): Some services slow you down because they batch uploads weekly instead of daily.
License Type Comparison
The board issues four DO credentials, and choosing the right track on day one prevents a refund hassle later.
| Credential | Who Files It |
|---|---|
| Unrestricted Osteopathic License | DO who completed at least 12 months ACGME/AOA postgraduate training and passed COMLEX Levels 1–3 |
| Graduate Training License | Resident or intern in an approved Pennsylvania program, valid only at that program |
| License by Endorsement | DO already licensed in another U.S. jurisdiction with FCVS and verification |
| Volunteer License | Retired DO providing free care at an approved clinic |
PALS Online vs. Paper Filing
| Filing Channel | When It Applies |
|---|---|
| PALS Online | The application itself, all uploads, fee payment, and ongoing renewals |
| Mail (P.O. Box 2649) | Third-party verifications only — registrars, residency, other state boards |
FAQs
Can I start practicing the day my license is issued in PALS?
Yes. You may practice the moment your license shows Active in the PALS verification database, even before the paper certificate arrives by mail.
Is the $75 fee refundable if my application is denied?
No. Application and license fees are non-refundable under 49 Pa. Code § 25.231, even for clean denials.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in the Legal Name field?
Yes — use whichever name appears on your current Social Security card; list the other in the Other Names Used box.
Should I upload my COMLEX score report myself in PALS?
No. Only an electronic transfer from NBOME counts; self-uploaded copies are rejected on receipt.
Do I have to disclose an expunged misdemeanor in the disciplinary section?
Yes. Pennsylvania licensing disclosures override expungement; failure to disclose is grounds for denial under 63 P.S. § 271.15.
Can I list a P.O. Box as my mailing address?
Yes, but you must also provide a physical residence in the Residence Address field; both addresses are required.
Does USMLE alone satisfy the examination requirement?
No. The osteopathic license requires COMLEX-USA; USMLE is accepted only as a supplement under 49 Pa. Code § 25.161 for dual-trained DOs.
Do I need an FCVS profile if I went to a Pennsylvania school?
No, FCVS is optional for in-state recent graduates, but recommended if you plan to license in additional states.
Is hospital orientation enough for Act 31 training?
No — only training from a DHS-approved provider counts, regardless of how thorough hospital orientation feels.
How long does processing take after I submit?
Yes, processing typically runs 8–12 weeks once every third-party verification reaches the board; missing items extend that window indefinitely.
Can I apply before I finish residency?
Yes. You can apply up to 60 days before your training end date; the board issues the license effective the day after completion.
Do I have to renew if I move out of state right after licensure?
Yes, you must renew by October 31 of the even-numbered year to keep the license active, even if you no longer practice in Pennsylvania.
Does the board accept a fingerprint card from a hospital?
No. Only fingerprints submitted through IdentoGO using service code 1KG6Y3 route to the board.
Should I include my undergraduate transcript with the PALS application?
No. PALS does not require it directly; route undergraduate transcripts through FCVS instead.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Florida Physician Assistant License Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Pennsylvania Chiropractor License Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Pennsylvania Medical Board License Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Pennsylvania Pharmacist License Application (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Pennsylvania Physician Assistant License (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Pennsylvania Dental License Application (w/ Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Medical License Application (MD) (w/Examples) + FAQs