License question

[hardy]

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As I am arranging my rank list the following question came up regarding the prelims at the bottom: Say I end up doing internship in a state that requires two years of residency for a medical license, would I be able to obtain a license in a state that requires only internship after that year or do they also require that the year is done in their state?

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

As I am arranging my rank list the following question came up regarding the prelims at the bottom: Say I end up doing internship in a state that requires two years of residency for a medical license, would I be able to obtain a license in a state that requires only internship after that year or do they also require that the year is done in their state?

You can obtain a license in any state you want, regardless of where you did any training. If you want to practice independently though (to include moonlighting) you need to be licensed in that state.

 

[gutonc]

As I am arranging my rank list the following question came up regarding the prelims at the bottom: Say I end up doing internship in a state that requires two years of residency for a medical license, would I be able to obtain a license in a state that requires only internship after that year or do they also require that the year is done in their state?

If you meet the requirements for licensure in a state, you can get a license there, period. Where you did your training (assuming it was in an accredited program in the US) doesn't matter.

 

[RisingSun]

Does one need to wait until the intern year is completely finished before application for a full license, or could one apply during but toward the end of the intern year?

 

[Law2Doc]

Does one need to wait until the intern year is completely finished before application for a full license, or could one apply during but toward the end of the intern year?

You can't apply for a full license until you meet the requirements of that license. So if a state says you aren't eligible until you have completed an intern year and passed Step 3, then those things need to happen before you can apply. It's not like applying to school where you can get your app in early and they will wait on the other stuff. The licensing boards, like any governmental agency, needs everything in order BEFORE you try to get in line or you will be rejected, and rejected means having to explain things forever down the road.

You could certainly type up the forms ahead of time without sending anything out but I'm not sure how much that really saves you.


My question: Is there any deadline from when you complete Step 3 and when you need to actually get your licensing application in? Aside from being unable to moonlight until you are licensed, is there any downside to not applying for a while, assuming your residency program lets you work under a training license anyhow? The initial license fee (and annual licensing dues) are not small potatoes.

 

[gutonc]

My question: Is there any deadline from when you complete Step 3 and when you need to actually get your licensing application in? Aside from being unable to moonlight until you are licensed, is there any downside to not applying for a while, assuming your residency program lets you work under a training license anyhow? The initial license fee (and annual licensing dues) are not small potatoes.

Not that I'm aware of. Some states may have a rule that require you to get your first license within X years of completing your Steps or your training but I don't think that's common.

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

My question: Is there any deadline from when you complete Step 3 and when you need to actually get your licensing application in? Aside from being unable to moonlight until you are licensed, is there any downside to not applying for a while, assuming your residency program lets you work under a training license anyhow? The initial license fee (and annual licensing dues) are not small potatoes.

Spend one weekend moonlighting and you'll likely recoup for those fees 10x.

 

[dragonfly99]

Well, most people in my program didn't bother getting a license unless/until we wanted to moonlight. I personally was too tired to do so during most of residency, when we still had a lot of call, and I just had no interest. We had an automatic training license and also there wasn't a requirement to pass Step 3 by end of intern year, so many of us dawdled on that too...I took mine at some point during 2nd year...I think it was toward the end.

 

[docB]

I suggest getting the license as soon as you are eligible. In my program we had to have a license to start 3rd year and the people who procrastinated wound up really stuck sometimes as the state takes as long as it wants and doesn't care how bad you need it.

I know not every program demands licensure but the longer you wait the longer you have to rack up some uncommon but very problematic things that would be a lot easier to deal with after licensure such as malpractice suits, patient complaints, disciplinary actions, legal troubles, etc.

 

[Danneskjold]

Not sure if this is the right thread for this but I can't seem to find a better one.
I'm going to have about 10 months off before starting residency and was wondering if any states will license an IMG after Step 3 is done w/o any years completed in a residency? Would love to do some GP work in the time gap. Thanx!

 

[DrMom]

Most if not all states require the completion of 1 year of training in addition to completion of step 3 for licensure.

 

[gutonc]

Most if not all states require the completion of 1 year of training in addition to completion of step 3 for licensure.

Additionally, most (but not all) states require IMGs to have 2-3 years of residency in order to get a license rather than the 1y most AMGs must have.

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