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Distinguished Professor Licensure

In 2015, SB 684 created a new limited license for physicians who do not meet the qualifications for a full unlimited license but who are recognized as highly distinguished in their field of medicine and have received a full-time professor appointment at a school of medicine in Oregon. A physician with this license may practice medicine only in conjunction with a full-time appointment as a professor of medicine. The license will expire if the physician does not maintain the full-time professor appointment.

The Oregon Medical Board will make at least two of these licenses available each year but will not issue more than eight new licenses in a four-year period. If you are considering applying for this license, please contact the Board before submitting your application to ensure that a license will be available to you.

To qualify, the applicant must be:

  • Currently licensed in good standing with another state or country, 
  • Hold a degree of Doctor of Medicine or the equivalent, 
  • Provide letters from the dean and department chairpersons of the school of medicine where the applicant is appointed as a professor and at least five academic colleagues outside of Oregon, 
  • Maintain active membership in at least two medical specialty societies, and 
  • Have published at least two medical papers in peer-reviewed journals.


For more information on licensure for distinguished professors or for questions on the status of your application, please contact the Licensing Call Center:

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time)
Phone: 971-673-2700

The Board looks forward to receiving your application and assisting you with the licensure process.