Getting a State Med License

[sjs12345]

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Hello everyone... I was hoping someone could provide their opinion on a matter pertaining to state medical licensing / funding for residency.

I recently matched into residency and will be starting in July. However, I have horrible credit... in fact while I've been in medical school I've had a few bills here and there go into collections. I also have a private (non-federal) student loan which is nearing the point where it can go into collections. Not that the reasons matter, but obviously it can be difficult/impossible to come up with the money to pay these debts while in medical school.

I obviously intend to start paying these debts off as soon as I have a job (and deferring the private student loan if I can avoid it going into collection)... but this doesn't help me at the moment.

My question is, can I be denied a medical license (or funding for residency) for having debts in collection? I'm desperate to get some help with this matter... I can't imagine losing out on residency (my only way to pay these debts off) because of these issues. Any serious responses are massively appreciated. I also want to make it clear, none of student loans which are federally funded are in default... which I understand can certainly cost you to lose licensing.

 

[styphon]

I am not sure about other states - but in NY it does not matter if you have debts in collection. The NY state license application does not include questions about debt or collections.

 

[je355804]

I am not sure about other states - but in NY it does not matter if you have debts in collection. The NY state license application does not include questions about debt or collections.

.

 

[HooliganSnail]

Getting a medical license has nothing to do with credit.

Credit impacts things that involve money.

If they denied people a license because of debt, no one would be able to get a license.

 

[cabinbuilder]

First of all you have to be well into residency in order to apply for a state medical license. They do as about federal student loans on some state license applications. As long as they get their money it doesn't matter, just don't bounce a check with the state or give them a bogus card number.

 

[Elisabeth Kate]

First of all you have to be well into residency in order to apply for a state medical license. They do as about federal student loans on some state license applications. As long as they get their money it doesn't matter, just don't bounce a check with the state or give them a bogus card number.

We were told we were supposed to get a training license for intern year. And I'm pretty sure a credit check is part of the background check state medical boards do for training licenses. I don't know if it affects anything, but I bet they'll know about it.

 

[cabinbuilder]

We were told we were supposed to get a training license for intern year. And I'm pretty sure a credit check is part of the background check state medical boards do for training licenses. I don't know if it affects anything, but I bet they'll know about it.

When I started residency, the residency program did all the paperwork for the training license, doesn't yours do that for you? I don't recall having to do a credit check for state license, only for student loans.

 

[Elisabeth Kate]

When I started residency, the residency program did all the paperwork for the training license, doesn't yours do that for you? I don't recall having to do a credit check for state license, only for student loans.

Nope we did it.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Nope we did it.

wow, that sucks.

 

[VenusinFurs]

I seriously doubt it would prevent you from getting any sort of license. You can't be the first resident to have private loans that went into collections. Also, I would not be afraid to ask your program about this.

 

[sprin001]

http://www.fsmb.org/usmle_eliinitial.html

There are not limitations regarding credit. Understanding, you will likely go into more debt to obtain your license...