Residency refusing to pay for medical license renewal

[MrChance2]

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[philosophize]

My residency doesnt cover the cost of training nor full license

 

[Ironspy]

We had to pay for our own license. We had an “educational fund” of around $ 300/ year that we could use towards license, step exams or conferences.

 

[NewmansOwn]

I actually don't know of any residency that would pay for an unrestricted license. Though you may not realize it, you probably don't want another party to pay for your unrestricted license. Legally, your medical license is your property. Courts have upheld this again and again. This is why you can't be dispossessed of it without some semblance of formal legal due process. Having someone else pay for it directly muddies those waters a bit. A way around this, as others have said, is to use educational or 'book fund' money to cover the cost.

I'd be interested to hear the story behind why you're suddenly not allowed to moonlight anymore though. Did one of your colleagues make a big oopsie?

 

[MacDonaldTriad]

It is your responsibility to maintain a valid license and to do all that is necessary to keep it that way. This language is in every training contract I have seen. Some programs help with a stipend, but most do not. I'm afraid you are just going to have to get used to this one because it will be the way it is until you retire.

 

[whopper]

Most residencies give each resident a fund to spend on professional activities. A license could count. If it's not covered it it tax-deductible cause it's a business expense but you need to declare it so on your taxes.

Otherwise you just got to pay for it yourself.

 

[wolfvgang22]

My residency and fellowship covered any costs associated with a training license, but I had to use my book stipend for my permanent licenses.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

I have my full medical license, my residency just refused to pay for my renewal and said I must cover it “out of pocket” as they say they only cover training licenses. To the best of my knowledge this was never communicated to me prior to now when I need to renew. They also changed their mind and are not allowing moonlighting. Does anyone else have a residency that refuses to cover their license? It is something I need to do my job and I can’t get a training license. Any idea if this is legal?

why would it be illegal...?

 

[Mass Effect]

I'm not aware of any residency that covers a full license. Training license? Maybe. But full license is typically on you. What I find interesting is that they don't allow you to moonlight. Interesting.

 

[psychattending]

Not allowing a resident to moonlight on a temporary license is common especially if lawyers are involved. Their logic is simple. A trainee license covers one when he/she is undergoing required training. Moonlighting by definition is not required and does not really fall inside of residency training (e.g. it is not used to teach somebody but is instead a way for somebody to make additional money). Therefore a temporary license cannot cover a doctor for that work.

 

[hallowmann]

My residency covers first full unrestricted license if obtained while in training. They DO NOT cover subsequent licenses or renewal.

 

[Mass Effect]

Not allowing a resident to moonlight on a temporary license is common especially if lawyers are involved. Their logic is simple. A trainee license covers one when he/she is undergoing required training. Moonlighting by definition is not required and does not really fall inside of residency training (e.g. it is not used to teach somebody but is instead a way for somebody to make additional money). Therefore a temporary license cannot cover a doctor for that work.

No one was talking about a trainee license. The OP is talking about a full license. Also, one can moonlight with a temp license in-house. It's done all the time. As for moonlighting with a full license, of course it isn't required, but I don't know too many psych residencies that don't allow it. I also believe it definitely falls inside the scope of training. The more practice you get learning to be an autonomous provider, the more independent you are as a resident. There are certain things you learn on your own when you don't have your attending to fall back on. This is also why solo call is valuable.

 

[psychattending]

No one was talking about a trainee license. The OP is talking about a full license. Also, one can moonlight with a temp license in-house. It's done all the time. As for moonlighting with a full license, of course it isn't required, but I don't know too many psych residencies that don't allow it. I also believe it definitely falls inside the scope of training. The more practice you get learning to be an autonomous provider, the more independent you are as a resident. There are certain things you learn on your own when you don't have your attending to fall back on. This is also why solo call is valuable.

Lawyers have a different view of the world. Just because it helps with learning does not mean it is part of training. A lawyer who is being very strict will say (and have said) that if it is not required by the program, then by definition it is not part of training. If it is not part of training, then temporary licenses will typically not be valid.