You have found your dream job, survived contract negotiations, and signed on the dotted line. Give yourself a minute to celebrate! Now, grab your favorite pen and refill the ink on your printer; the onslaught of paperwork is about to begin. First, you must obtain a medical license for the state or jurisdiction(s) in which you plan to practice. Once licensed, you will move on to credentialing, the process by which your healthcare organization verifies your qualifications. It is best to start on both steps as soon as possible, as each stage can require lengthy processing times.