Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
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Glossary of Terms

This Glossary can help you understand some of the words and phrases you may see when using the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Profile Search.

A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J   K   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V   W   X   Y   Z  


A

Active License Status The licensee has met all requirements for obtaining and maintaining a license in their profession and may actively practice their licensed profession in Illinois.

AllKIds Participating Provider All Kids is Illinois’ program for children who need comprehensive, affordable health insurance, regardless of family income, immigration status or health condition. For more information, go to www.allkids.com.

American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) An organization of 24 medical specialty boards that develop and apply standards in the evaluation and certification of physicians. More information about ABMS certification is available at www.abms.org or by phone at 1-866-ASK-ABMS.

American Osteopathic Association (AOA) An organization of 18 medical specialty boards that develop and apply standards in the evaluation and certification of osteopathic physicians. More information about AOA certification is available at www.osteopathic.org.

B

Board Certification If a physician is board certified, this means this physician has met all eligibility for certification, including specialized training, and has successfully passed a comprehensive exam given by a particular medical specialty board.

C

Class A Misdemeanor A person is convicted of a misdemeanor crime if he or she pleaded guilty or was found or adjudged guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. In Illinois, a misdemeanor crime may be punished by less than one year in a jail or prison.

College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) A Canadian organization of family physicians that promotes high standards of medical education and care in family practice. More information about CFPC certification is available at www.cfpc.org

Contact Info If you have questions or comments, contact IDFPR Profile Services by e-mail at FPR.Profile@Illinois.gov.

D

Discipline The Discipline profile section lists any actions taken against a license by the Department of Professional Regulation within the most recent five years. To view any disciplinary actions taken by the state medical board dating back to January 1, 1990, click this link "DFPR License Lookup Disciplinary History" when viewing the license. Click here for a list of the different types of disciplinary actions the Department may impose.

E

F

Felony Criminal Conviction A person is convicted of a felony crime if he or she pleaded guilty or was found or adjudged guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. In Illinois, a felony crime may be punished by one or more years in a jail or prison.

G

H

Help If you have questions or comments, contact IDFPR Profile Services by e-mail at FPR.Profile@Illinois.gov.

Hospital Affiliation A hospital where a physician holds specific formal privileges including the ability to admit and treat patients.

I

J

Judgment A final award by a court in favor of the plaintiff in response to a malpractice claim.

K

L

Legal Actions A final action taken against a licensee by any governmental agency, by any law enforcement agency, or by any court.

License Status

M

Malpractice Claim A claim that a licensed professional made a mistake that is a direct cause of injury or harm to a patient. A claim should not be construed as creating a presumption that medical malpractice has occurred.

Malpractice Judgment A final award by a court in favor of the plaintiff in response to a malpractice claim.

Malpractice Settlement A payment to the plaintiff without going to court. Settlement of a malpractice claim may occur for a variety of reasons which do not necessarily reflect negatively on the professional competence or conduct of the physician. A payment in settlement of a medical malpractice action or claim should not be construed as creating a presumption that medical malpractice has occurred.

Medical Education The medical or osteopathic training and academic education after college that are required for an individual to become a licensed physician.

Medical Specialty Board Medical specialty boards certify physicians who have completed specialized training and have passed a comprehensive examination.

N

None Reported This term when displayed in a Profile means that no information was self-reported by this licensee or that this optional profile information was considered not applicable by the licensee.

O

Optional Profile Information Licensees may choose to update their profile data with their additional office locations, previous practice locations, insurance plan participation, professional and community activities, publications and awards.

P

Post Graduate Education The specialized medical or osteopathic training completed in a clinical setting, usually at a hospital, that are required for an individual to become a licensed physician.

Profile An information collection regarding the professional license, education, business practice location and other information, viewable by the public as required by the Illinois Medical Practice Act for all actively licensed physician and chiropractors in Illinois.

Q

R

Required Profile Information All licensed physicians and chiropractors are required to update their profile data with their primary office locations, hospital affiliations, current board certifications and education. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disciplinary action against a license.

Restriction of Hospital Privileges Involuntary restriction of hospital privileges for reasons related to competence or character that have been taken by the hospital's governing body or any other official of the hospital after procedural due process has been afforded, or the resignation from or nonrenewal of medical staff membership or the restriction of privileges at a hospital taken in lieu of or in settlement of a pending disciplinary case related to competence or character in that hospital.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) A national Canadian organization that develops and applys standards in the medical education and certification of physicians and surgeons in Canada. More information about RCPSC certification is available on their web site www.royalcollege.ca/portal/page/portal/rc/public

S

Settlement A payment to the plaintiff without going to court. Settlement of a malpractice claim may occur for a variety of reasons which do not necessarily reflect negatively on the professional competence or conduct of the physician. A payment in settlement of a medical malpractice action or claim should not be construed as creating a presumption that medical malpractice has occurred.

Specialty Certification Medical specialty boards certify physicians who have completed specialized training and have passed a comprehensive examination.

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Years In Practice The number of years a physician has been actively licensed in the state of Illinois. This may not include years a physician held an active license in another state or country.

Z