Building a Public Licensure Lookup for Physical Therapy: Lessons from FSMB’s DocInfo and the Path Forward

FSBPT is exploring a licensure lookup tool across jurisdictions to enhance public protection, transparency, and efficiency by providing accurate, centralized information about physical therapist and physical therapist assistant licensure statuses and disciplinary actions. This article is based on a presentation by Dustin Dollar and Michelle Sigmund-Gaines at the 2025 Annual Education Meeting.

Public protection is at the heart of every regulatory board’s mission. One of the most fundamental ways to achieve that goal is by ensuring transparency about who is authorized to practice as well as information about disciplinary actions. For physical therapy, this means providing patients, employers, and other stakeholders with easy access to accurate licensure and disciplinary information.

Currently, most jurisdictions offer a license lookup page on their websites. While these tools serve an important purpose, they vary widely in usability, update frequency, and the type and level of detail of information displayed. Some include compact privilege data; others do not. Some allow searches by name only, while others require multiple fields. For the public, this inconsistency can lead to confusion and frustration—especially in an era of telehealth and practitioner mobility.

FSBPT has long recognized this challenge. Inspired by successful models in other professions, FSBPT is exploring the creation of a consolidated licensure lookup tool for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. Such central models provide a number of shared benefits:

• Public Protection: Patients can easily verify if a physical therapist or PTA is authorized to practice in their state, enhancing safety and informed decision-making.
• Transparency: A centralized resource promotes openness and accountability, building trust in regulatory boards and the profession.
• Efficiency: Consolidated data streamlines processes, reducing confusion, administrative burden, and the volume of calls and emails to individual boards. One easy-to-use site eliminates the need to search multiple state websites.
• Mobility and Telehealth: A lookup tool that provides information across many jurisdictions simplifies navigation of licensure status and compact privileges for practitioners working across state lines.
• Stakeholder Support: Employers, insurers, and credentialing organizations benefit from quick, reliable access to accurate licensure data.
• Showcases the Value of Regulatory Boards: Highlights the essential work boards do in order to regulate practice and protect the public.
• Improved Data Quality: Encourages consistent reporting and timely updates, leading to more accurate and up-to-date information.

DocInfo

DocInfo, the Federation of State Medical Board’s (FSMB’s) free physician search tool, can serve as inspiration and guidance for this endeavor. It provides professional background information on more than one million licensed physicians and physician assistants. It was created to give patients visibility and trust in healthcare providers by offering accurate, objective, and verifiable information—not ratings or reviews, but facts that matter for public protection.
DocInfo does this by sharing the following information for every licensed physician in the United States:

• Sanctions and Disciplinary Actions: Any sanction ever taken against a physician, with disciplinary data dating back to the early 1960s.
• License History: Active licenses across all states, displayed clearly for public understanding.
• Specialty Information: Pulled from trusted sources such as the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Osteopathic Association/Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists.
• Education Details: Medical school graduation year and institution.
• Consumer Guidance: Notes explaining what disciplinary actions mean and links back to state boards for more details.

DocInfo is free, easy to use, and supported by verified primary data from state medical boards. In 2024 alone, the site had 446,456 users, nearly 3 million physician lookups, and an average session length of six minutes—evidence that the public values and engages with this resource.
FSMB’s experience with DocInfo offers valuable insights for FSBPT as it considers a similar tool. Here are some of the most important lessons:

Data Integration Is Critical

In the FSMB model, every state board provides information in different formats and levels of detail. Normalizing and mapping this data into a single system requires significant effort and ongoing collaboration. FSMB employs a dedicated team to ensure data quality through manual checks and automated processes. Without this foundation, a national lookup tool cannot succeed.

Verified vs. Anecdotal Information

DocInfo deliberately avoids subjective content like ratings or reviews that consumers may expect.  Instead, it focuses on verified regulatory data—license status, disciplinary actions, and education. Clear messaging is essential to help the public understand the difference between objective licensure data and anecdotal feedback found on other sites.

Security and Privacy

FSMB continually addresses how to protect sensitive regulatory data while maintaining public access, which is a delicate balance that requires robust security measures and is an ongoing concern.

Media Interest and Rapid Response

High-profile disciplinary cases often attract media attention. FSMB learned the importance of having protocols for responding to inquiries and coordinating with state boards. FSBPT will need similar strategies to manage public and media expectations.

Continuous Improvement

DocInfo has undergone five major updates in ten years, improving usability, search functionality, and security. FSBPT will also need to consider scalability and future enhancements, such as real-time data integration through APIs.

A Licensure Lookup for Physical Therapists

FSBPT recognizes that implementing such a tool will require careful planning and collaboration. Members have raised several key concerns that will need to be carefully thought through and addressed:

• Reporting Variations: States differ in what they share publicly and how long disciplinary actions remain online.
• Non-Participation: Not all jurisdictions may be ready or able to contribute data initially.
• Public Understanding: Consumers need clear explanations of disciplinary actions to avoid misinterpretation.
• Data Security: Measures to prevent scraping and misuse are essential.

Before moving forward, FSBPT seeks additional input from member boards on several critical questions:

• Data Scope: What information should be included—license status, compact privileges, disciplinary actions only?
• Update Frequency: Should participation require real-time updates, or is a weekly or monthly cadence acceptable?
• Consumer Messaging: How can we best explain disciplinary actions and system limitations to the public?
• Technical Logistics: What resources do boards need to provide data securely and efficiently?
• Future Enhancements: What additional features would add value over time?

FSBPT will continue engaging members through surveys, forums, and collaborative discussions. The goal is to design a system that meets public expectations while respecting jurisdictional autonomy and minimizing administrative burden.

Charting a Path Forward

DocInfo demonstrates that a national licensure lookup tool is not only possible but highly impactful. By learning from FSMB’s experience, FSBPT can create a resource that strengthens public protection, supports boards, and enhances trust in the physical therapy profession.
This initiative is ambitious, but its potential benefits are clear: greater transparency, improved efficiency, and a stronger foundation for public safety. With member collaboration and thoughtful planning, FSBPT can make this vision a reality.