Delayed licensing concequences?

[septoplasty]

Turns out ECFMG is taking forever to get my ECFMG certification which required for state licensure. Although intern year is still relatively 6 weeks away.. what happens if I don't get licensed in time?

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[Winged Scapula]

You need to talk to your residency program about this. Without a license, training or otherwise, you cannot work. They may allow you to start late and extend residency or you may have to take vacation time until your license is approved

 

[gutonc]

You need to talk to your residency program about this. Without a license, training or otherwise, you cannot work. They may allow you to start late and extend residency or you may have to take vacation time until your license is approved

Or they might just void your contract and the Match agreement since you didn't fulfill your end of the bargain. This is usually more trouble than it's worth for a program, but not always, and it's a real risk.

 

[septoplasty]

Ah Gutonc's answer just freaked me out.

I have 3/4 things required for state licensure, but the ECFMG is taking too long to get me a dang certificate, is that really my fault?

I guess i'll wait a couple weeks to see how this unfold before pressing the alarm bells.

Thanks for the replies!

 

[gutonc]

Ah Gutonc's answer just freaked me out.

I have 3/4 things required for state licensure, but the ECFMG is taking too long to get me a dang certificate, is that really my fault?

I'll follow this up with the same question I always ask in response to these kinds of posts.

What did the program coordinator/director say when you asked them?

 

[ActionFigure]

Turns out ECFMG is taking forever to get my ECFMG certification which required for state licensure. Although intern year is still relatively 6 weeks away.. what happens if I don't get licensed in time?

Also does ECFMG have the credentials they need from your school because often there's a delay in ECFMG certification because the school hasn't sent the paper work ie. diploma, transcripts, etc. If that's the case, maybe you can tell your school to get on top of their shi*.

 

[septoplasty]

Also does ECFMG have the credentials they need from your school because often there's a delay in ECFMG certification because the school hasn't sent the paper work ie. diploma, transcripts, etc. If that's the case, maybe you can tell your school to get on top of their shi*.

They have all the documents etc. I don't know whats taking them so long. I call them everyday hoping to hear something different, but all I get is "2-6 weeks". Bloody hell.

I'll follow this up with the same question I always ask in response to these kinds of posts.

What did the program coordinator/director say when you asked them?

I haven't spoken to them yet, I don't want to set off premature alarm bells.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I haven't spoken to them yet, I don't want to set off premature alarm bells.

IMHO its far far better for them to have a Plan B in place with plenty of time to implement it than be surprised with just a few days/weeks notice.

 

[Buzz Me]

They'd better know about the delay by now! If not...well...

You have to always allow extra time for these things. I've gone through the application process for two different states' medical licenses, and even as a standard AMG without any red flags on my app, the entire process takes a minimum of 3-4 months.

 

[thierryhenry]

This simply can not be true.

If the match is on March 15; 4 months would be July 15, allowing not even the most pristine "AMG, with no red flags" to begin.

Needless to say I know some AMG's do not receive their diploma until June regardless.

Yes the process is more annoying for IMG's (waiting for ECFMG certificate (about 2-3 weeks in not expediated), then sending it to the medical state board (electronically), annoying i agree.

But 3-4 months simply not true.

My advice ask your PC/person in charge of credentialing they are usually helpful. The program wants the same thing as you, to start on July 1; they need you to start then just like you need them, case closed.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I believe the difference is between a training license (which is what the OP needs) and an unrestricted license (which is what Buzz is talking about).

The latter can indeed take several months as the requirements are stricter (with some states requiring personal references of your suitability for a license). My NJ license for fellowship took nearly 6 months.

The former generally does not take as long although for an FMG/IMG there are additional requirements which can delay things.

 

[thierryhenry]

Agreed, thanks for clearing that up

 

[septoplasty]

IMHO its far far better for them to have a Plan B in place with plenty of time to implement it than be surprised with just a few days/weeks notice.

I figure i'll give it a week or two more and then i'll notify. My biggest fear is the "plan B". Worked my ass off to get in, would kill myself if I get denied due to an ECFMG **** up.

 

[gutonc]

I figure i'll give it a week or two more and then i'll notify. My biggest fear is the "plan B". Worked my ass off to get in, would kill myself if I get denied due to an ECFMG **** up.

You're thinking about this wrong. Call the program and let them know what's up NOW. Find out if there are other people with the same problem. Ask what, if anything, they can do to help and what will happen in the worst case scenario. This isn't going to be their first time at the rodeo and they may be able to help calm your fears.

 

[johhnybgood]

You know, most medical schools official graduations are not until early may, so the earliest an ecfmg certificate would be applied for is around then. So it's not surprising that u don't have certification yet. Also, most medical boards accept electronic notification of ecfmg number. There is spot on oasis to transmit electronically. You can likely submit your application now and then update electronically when u get your number. Confirm w your program but it is still may so not a lot to be worried about now. As everyone said, your program knows best.

 

[Buzz Me]

This simply can not be true.

If the match is on March 15; 4 months would be July 15, allowing not even the most pristine "AMG, with no red flags" to begin.
...
But 3-4 months simply not true.

Not sure why you would immediately accuse me of lying. 😕 😡

When I applied for my first medical license, it was for moonlighting purposes as I was going into the lab and wanted to earn some extra money. Applied in March, didn't get my license until August.

I matched into fellowship in the June prior to my chief resident year. So I applied for my second medical license in January of my chief year and didn't get it until May.

Note that nowhere in my previous post did I talk about applying for a "training permit," which is likely what you're talking about. Also note that you don't really apply for that - a lot of the paperwork is done by your residency program/residency coordinator.

By the way, seeing as you haven't started residency yet and don't know exactly what paperwork is involved in obtaining your training permit (you'll find out you have more forms to sign during orientation), I wouldn't be so quick to chime in on this topic.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

I figure i'll give it a week or two more and then i'll notify. My biggest fear is the "plan B". Worked my ass off to get in, would kill myself if I get denied due to an ECFMG **** up.

BAD IDEA

The way people get screwed in these situations is by trying to take care of it all alone and not asking the program for help/keeping them in the loop. They have been through this before. Most of the time they can help. If you wait until the last minute and THEN tell them you aren't licensed...that is when they will react poorly

 

[shopsteward]

I figure i'll give it a week or two more and then i'll notify. My biggest fear is the "plan B". Worked my ass off to get in, would kill myself if I get denied due to an ECFMG **** up.

Agree with others that you should be in touch with the program co-ordinator ASAP.

I get that you may not want to create a rep for being troublesome before you arrive at the new program. But to let that stop you from contacting the program co-ordinator is looking at things down the wrong end of the telescope. The program co-ordinator will almost certainly have come across your situation before, and will have the experience and contacts to sort it out, provided you give them enough time to do so. They will not blame you provided you don't make it more difficult for the program co-ordinator than you need to by delaying letting them know.

Your program co-ordinator may or may not tell your program director that there is a problem, depending on how serious they think it is. But if they do so now, it will likely be a "heads-up, but I've been told in time and I can sort it" message. If you wait, it is much more likely to be a "heads up, our prospective resident is an idiot for not letting me know sooner, I may not be able to sort it" message.

Your choice.

 

[Psychiatrized]

BAD IDEA

The way people get screwed in these situations is by trying to take care of it all alone and not asking the program for help/keeping them in the loop. They have been through this before. Most of the time they can help. If you wait until the last minute and THEN tell them you aren't licensed...that is when they will react poorly

Agree. The program has likely accepted FMGs before and knows about the difficulties that can sometimes arise with their licensing. Let them know now, they might be able to help things along and also make contingencies in their schedule for you to start late if needed.

 

[NJDevilsFan]

Oldish thread, but I am experiencing a similar issue. I talked to my coordinator and she made me feel a little better about the situation. But honesty is definitely the best policy. Goo luck to both of us though.

 

[septoplasty]

Oldish thread, but I am experiencing a similar issue. I talked to my coordinator and she made me feel a little better about the situation. But honesty is definitely the best policy. Goo luck to both of us though.

Good to see someone in the same boat!

I emailed the PC and haven't heard back, i'll see what happens.

Just called the ECFMG and a rep told me they'll have all the PGY1's who are to start in July certified by July 1st. Which is a bunch of bullocks considering that's 3 weeks away and how it'll take additional time on top to get state license. FML.