About the Board
Board members provide a critical public service for patients and the medical profession. The 14-member Board oversees all agency functions and makes all final decisions on the regulation of the practice of medicine in Oregon.
Each member is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Nine members are physicians: six Doctors of Medicine (MDs), two Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs), and one Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). In 2016, a Physician Associate (PA) was added as a member of the Board; an additional PA member was added in 2024. Three public members of the Board represent health consumers. Board members represent a wide range of specialties and practice areas. Of the professionally licensed members, there is at least one member appointed from each federal congressional district.
Each member is selected for a three year term, with the opportunity to participate in a second term, for a total of six years. All persons appointed must be residents of Oregon. The physician and PA members must have been in active practice for at least five years immediately preceding their appointment. Neither the public members nor any person within the immediate family of the public members shall be employed as a health professional.
For more information about the responsibilites of state medical boards, see the Federation of State Medical Board's educational module.