Do you need a license to sit for the boards

[brsboarder]

I heard from a chief that you need a state license to sit for the boards. I am going to be a chief next year, and want to take my boards, but don't know what state I'll be doing fellowship in. I don't plan on moonlighting, so it seems silly to get a license just to take the exam...thoughts?

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[MEN2C]

Don't you need a license to be an attending on the wards/clinic?

 

[mvenus929]

Yes, you need a permanent license to sit for the boards.

And you don’t do any clinical work as a part of your chief job?

 

[brsboarder]

Don't you need a license to be an attending on the wards/clinic?

As chief, still working under license of hospital.

 

[mvenus929]

As chief, still working under license of hospital.

Weird. We are required to have a permanent license because we are attendings, so a training license wouldn't cover us. Gives us a fair amount of leverage too--if it's not something they would ask their colleagues to do, then it isn't something they should expect me to do either.

So essentially, you still need supervision with all your clinical duties? That sucks.

 

[SurfingDoctor]

You should definitely take the boards during a chief year as opposed to the first year of fellowship if given the chance. Either is doable, but the former gives far greater flexibility.

 

[MEN2C]

As chief, still working under license of hospital.

So you're not an attending? You have a supervising physician who has to see the patients you see and bill? Sounds terrible.

From the ABP:

Certification and maintenance of certification is contingent upon medical licensure and in compliance with all applicable Board policies, rules and codes. Physicians must hold a valid, unrestricted allopathic and/or osteopathic medical license in at least one jurisdiction in the United States, its territories, or Canada.

Policies

I think you're gonna have to pony up. Or maybe get your hospital to reimburse you.

 

[Stitch]

You should definitely take the boards during a chief year as opposed to the first year of fellowship if given the chance. Either is doable, but the former gives far greater flexibility.

This. Absolutely. Get it out of the way. First year of fellowship is tough.