State licensing

[sprint4]

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[Taurus]

Check out the state-specific licensing requirements.

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

 

[gutonc]

Hello all,

Has anyone had a hard time applying for exceptions to the seven/ten year USMLE completion restriction to get licensed at the state level? If you have a gap in training that can be explained and your scores/performance are good, do they frequently deny based on that time limit? Curious if anyone has had any experience with clearing this hurdle.

Thanks,
sprint4

I ran up against the 7 year limit in my state but it was due to a PhD so all I had to do was send a copy of my PhD diploma and there were no further questions.

Do as Taurus said and check each state to see what the deal is with the state(s) you're interested in. Some have soft limits, others are very hard. Then send an email to the board(s) asking for clarification.

I guess I should also ask where you are in your training because that's likely to make a difference as well.

 

[sprint4]

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[gutonc]

I had a gap during med school and am continuing at the University of Colorado.

That's good. Not to get into an AMG/IMG debate but if you were continuing in a Carib program (after starting at a US MD or other offshore program) this would be a bigger problem. The fact that you're continuing at a well regarded US MD school will help you out.

How big of a gap are we talking? To which year did you return? If all goes as planned, what will be your USMLE completion timeframe (assuming you take Step 3 during intern year)?

I would direct you to the USMLE FAQ section on time limits here for more information.

Note specifically the following from that site:

If you pass a Step or Step Component, you are not allowed to retake it, except to comply with the time limit of a medical licensing authority for the completion of all Steps or a requirement imposed by another authority recognized by the USMLE program for this purpose. The medical licensing authority must provide information indicating that you are an applicant for licensure in that jurisdiction; have fulfilled all requirements for licensure in that jurisdiction; are eligible for licensure except for the out-of-date examination; and have completed the full USMLE sequence, including Step 3.

 

[sprint4]

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[sprint4]

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[gutonc]

And of course, the elephant in the room is if a radiology residency program would touch me considering the gap.

Well that is a whole different kettle of fish and something you should discuss with the Rads PD at your institution.

 

[sprint4]

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[gutonc]

The gap will be significant. Not to launch into to much personal information, but the background is 2.5 years in med school, doing great, then walloped by an undiagnosed anxiety disorder (PTSD sequelae from 5-year abusive relationship). I left in Jan. 2004 thinking there was no way I could handle it, but I've tackled the issue, got great treatment, and want to complete training. I would restart my 3rd year either this June or next. If I take step 3 during intern year, that would put my steps at 6/2003, ?/2011 or 2012, ?/2014. Eleven year gap between steps 1 and 3 without a phD to show for it. I was a high school science teacher in the interim. CU is amenable to my return (even after a long absence) because I had a good record and have an identifiable reason for leaving and for coming back.

Interesting info on the usmle site. I wonder if it's binding for all states/jurisdictions. I know that Colorado does not allow a second sitting to fit in their time frame, but other states might.

Do you know that for certain about CO? Did you ask someone at the board? Because I didn't see anything on their website that would lead me to believe that. Not saying it isn't true...just that I don't see that rule anywhere. Based on my interpretation of the info on the USMLE site, they will let you re-take a Step (unfortunately it will have to be Step 1) if (and only if) the time lapse to complete the Steps is the only thing keeping you from being licensed in a state. Now, whether the state will accept that is a different story.

That's good advice. What did you think about the number of years gap from previous post?

That gap is enormous. You must otherwise be a frickin' rock star to have Colorado be willing to pick you back up again. Good for them...and good luck to you.

Honestly, you're in near-virgin territory here so I'm afraid any advice you get from the intarwubz is going to be worth less than the electrons it's printed on.

 

[sprint4]

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[gutonc]

Do you think that a residency will overlook the gap if I come back doing well?

Again, I don't think I (or anyone other than a Program Director) can answer this question for you. If you come back doing well (and by well, I mean you will have to be in the top 5-10% not just of your med school class but of the applicants for your specialty of choice) then you definitely have a good chance.

But just as there are programs and people who will give you a chance if you earn it, there are others who will smile, point to the "rules" they've established and thank you for your time. Again, this is where talking directly to the specialty PD at your school, and doing some away rotations as a 4th year will be really helpful to you.

 

[ilovepath]

Maybe other sdners with gap within that ballpark can speak to their experience. I did know someone with a gap like that, but she left medicine and eventually returned...nothing disciplinary, she had no problems in future..went into pathology.

 

[Micrococcus]

Residency programs are going to look very carefully at the circumstances surrounding your LoA, why it was given, the severity of the clinical dx, and whether they agree the span of your LoA was truly warranted. How many years were you MIA (ie. not in school, training, etc)?

So let me get this straight....you did your first 2.5 years at a caribbean school, took a LoA for a significant period of time (?3-5 years), and then was re-accepted to complete your medical degree at a US Allopathic program (UC)?

Thats INCREDIBLY rare....in fact, virtually impossible, unless you know someone.

 

[ilovepath]

Maybe I skimmed too fast, but where do they say they started in carribean, wasn't Colorado the original school as well?

Residency programs are going to look very carefully at the circumstances surrounding your LoA, why it was given, the severity of the clinical dx, and whether they agree the span of your LoA was truly warranted. How many years were you MIA (ie. not in school, training, etc)?

So let me get this straight....you did your first 2.5 years at a caribbean school, took a LoA for a significant period of time (?3-5 years), and then was re-accepted to complete your medical degree at a US Allopathic program (UC)?

Thats INCREDIBLY rare....in fact, virtually impossible, unless you know someone.

 

[gutonc]

So let me get this straight....you did your first 2.5 years at a caribbean school, took a LoA for a significant period of time (?3-5 years), and then was re-accepted to complete your medical degree at a US Allopathic program (UC)?

Thats INCREDIBLY rare....in fact, virtually impossible, unless you know someone.

You got it very, very crooked.

I mentioned Carib in my first (?) reply simply to try to get an idea of what the OP is up against. The reality is that s/he started at Colorado, took an LoA from Colorado and has been re-admitted to Colorado to (hopefully) complete the program.

 

[sprint4]

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[sprint4]

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