Texas Licensing

[doctawife]

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Just a warning -

If you're planning on moving to Texas, or you're a resident in Texas and plan on practicing here after you finish APPLY FOR YOUR LICENSE NOW. Why? Well, the average time to get a license jumped from 18 days in 2003 to 105 days currently. And if you have anything slightly hinky about your application (any training outside the US, for example) then good luck - 105 days isn't going to happen. Instead of almost four months, try seven. Or in a co-worker's case, 12 months. And her sin? Her med school wasn't in the lower 48.

If you want the full story, check out the link.

Or you could just trust me when I say that I've been unemployed for seven months thanks to these lovely folks. I just got my license last week, so now I can speak. Before I was afraid that if I said anything, someone would notice and my applicaiton would be delayed any longer. Paranoid, I know.

So just be careful if you're planning on moving to Texas to practice. You might be waiting longer than you'd expect for your license - which means no paycheck. Which sucks.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

It could be worse. For RT licensure in Virginia, you have to provide a reference from every job you've had in the past 10 years. Given all the part time and temp jobs I've had on the side, it could take a year to obtain all of those. 😡 And they wonder why Virginia has a shortage.

 

[hyperbaric]

This was recently addressed by TMA - essentially the state's response was that there had been an unusual increase in the number of peeps applying for licensure and that they are 'working on it'. Later, I'll look for a link to post.

 

[doctawife]

Well, the article I linked to in the original post addressed the 'unusual number' question. Basically, prop 12 capped the malpractice reward to plaintiffs - so now everyone wants to practice in our little bubble of goodness. The problem was when the number of applicants exploded, the staffing at the medical board was cut. Why? Budget cuts.

Yes, this explains things. No, it didn't make my 7 months of unemployment any better. Especially when the TSMBE wouldn't return my phone calls cause my agent "was on special assignment." Repeatedly. Who is so special?

So yeah, I'm bitter. I wouldn't be so bitter if I thought that the TSMBE was actually accountable to anyone. But it doesn't seem like they are.

 

[hyperbaric]

My bad. I read right over the link you posted. Maybe I wasn't clear, but I agree with you. I would also be pissed.

 

[doctawife]

My bad. I read right over the link you posted. Maybe I wasn't clear, but I agree with you. I would also be pissed.

Yeah. I just want to try to warn people so they aren't up **** creek like I am. My credit rating before the TSMBE, okay. Now? Not so much..

Don't get me wrong, having malpractice awards capped is great. But darn, this wait hurts doctors big time. Especially since we (Texas) has one of the lowest rates of doctors per capita in the nation. That's not good. Yet somehow we have this backlog that isn't being fast-tracked... ?

 

[GeneralVeers]

Yeah. I just want to try to warn people so they aren't up **** creek like I am. My credit rating before the TSMBE, okay. Now? Not so much..

Don't get me wrong, having malpractice awards capped is great. But darn, this wait hurts doctors big time. Especially since we (Texas) has one of the lowest rates of doctors per capita in the nation. That's not good. Yet somehow we have this backlog that isn't being fast-tracked... ?

I'm moving to Texas March 1st to finish residency. Do residencies there require residents to obtain a medical license before graduation, as they do in California? (here we have to get it before starting 3rd year).

 

[Jeff698]

I'm moving to Texas March 1st to finish residency. Do residencies there require residents to obtain a medical license before graduation, as they do in California? (here we have to get it before starting 3rd year).

If they do, it is residency specific. Our program does not require it. Most of us do it anyway, though.

For me, getting it was a no brainer. I'm a Texan who'll be staying in Texas after residency and I wanted to moonlight.

After some very good advice from my upper levels, I started the TMB application process halfway through my intern year, even before taking Step III. As doctawife pointed out, there are many hurdles involved, even if your application is prestine. As the process went on, TMB would send me emails listing my deficiencies like jurisprudence exam, PD's note of internship completion. By the time intern year was over, I took the JP exam (don't blow that off...it can bite you). As soon as they had that score, it was a matter of ponying up the rather considerable amount of money and I had my license.

I'd recommend anyone wanting a Texas license while in residency begin the paperwork by at least December of their intern year.

Take care,
Jeff

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

If you are a resident outside the state of Texas at a program that allows moonlighting, can you still obtain your Texas license if you wish to moonlight in Texas while being a resident and figure there is a good chance you will practice there anyways? I assume there is nothing that would inhibit this (granted that you home program is cool with it).

Just curious; wonder if us MSIVs should go ahead and start our license application.... hehe.

 

[Amgen1]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4497495.html

 

[Jeff698]

If you are a resident outside the state of Texas at a program that allows moonlighting, can you still obtain your Texas license if you wish to moonlight in Texas while being a resident and figure there is a good chance you will practice there anyways? I assume there is nothing that would inhibit this (granted that you home program is cool with it).

Just curious; wonder if us MSIVs should go ahead and start our license application.... hehe.

There is no residency (as in where you live) requirement for licensure. There is nothing from stopping someone living and doing a residency in, say, New York from getting their Texas license. Other than an ungodly amount of money, of course.

I wouldn't start on your application before about December just because it doesn't make much sense since the initial application requires information about your medical school graduation.

Take care,
Jeff

 

[Jeff698]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4497495.html

That's a good article that highlights some of the great benefits of Prop 12 which reformed our tort system. As it (and doctawife) point out, after we got our liability system under control, physicians decided Texas was THE place to practice.

It's even better for emergency physicians. We're treated differently under the law. The plaintiff must proof "willful and wanton" malpractice. That's an incredibly high standard and most attorneys won't take cases anymore. Apparently, since they've realized they can't make a quick buck, their interest in 'serving the little man' has vanished.

Come to Texas. It's a great state with a great medical liability environment and high paying EM jobs.

BTW, the last paragraph in that article has a surgeon bemoaning the licensing delay by saying she's missing out on $25,000 a month. While true and likely to garner sympathy among us, it's generally poor form and counter-productive to complain about salary when we make more in one month that the vast majority of people reading the article do in a year.

Take care,
Jeff

 

[GeneralVeers]

If they do, it is residency specific. Our program does not require it. Most of us do it anyway, though.

For me, getting it was a no brainer. I'm a Texan who'll be staying in Texas after residency and I wanted to moonlight.

Jeff

Thanks for the advice. If I like Texas, and plan to stay there, I'll start my application in my 3rd year. I will have 4 months of my PGY-2 year there, after which I should know if I'd like to stay in that state or not. I have my California license, but don't plan to ever move back there (unless there's an amazing job offer).

I can't wait for the awesome steak I'll be eating every night.

 

[Jeff698]

I can't wait for the awesome steak I'll be eating every night.

Steak?

Is this a program perk I haven't heard of yet? 🙂

Take care,
Jeff

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

Thanks for the advice. If I like Texas, and plan to stay there, I'll start my application in my 3rd year. I will have 4 months of my PGY-2 year there, after which I should know if I'd like to stay in that state or not. I have my California license, but don't plan to ever move back there (unless there's an amazing job offer).

I can't wait for the awesome steak I'll be eating every night.

Not sure where in TX you are going, but III Forks in North Dallas is one of the very best steakhouses I have been to. It will cost you near 100pp, but well worth the splurge!

There is a place in Houston which I am told is equally as good as III Forks although I have not been there. I will try to get that name for you if that is where you are going and something tells me from other posts that H Town is where you are headed.

And what is there not to love in TX, espically compared to CA. For the same money as a starter home in CA, you can own the GeneralVeers Ranch with a 4000 sq ft house and helipad....

Good luck.

 

[BKN]

Thanks for the advice. If I like Texas, and plan to stay there, I'll start my application in my 3rd year. I will have 4 months of my PGY-2 year there, after which I should know if I'd like to stay in that state or not. I have my California license, but don't plan to ever move back there (unless there's an amazing job offer).

I can't wait for the awesome steak I'll be eating every night.

If you're stopping in ELP overnight go to Great American Land and Cattle on Alabama for best Texas steak. In fact call me and I'll meet you (5 minutes from the house).🙂

 

[GeneralVeers]

If you're stopping in ELP overnight go to Great American Land and Cattle on Alabama for best Texas steak. In fact call me and I'll meet you (5 minutes from the house).🙂

Definitely may do that if time permits. Don't know what my exact moving schedule is, or what time of evening I'll hit Texas.

 

[Jeff698]

If you're stopping in ELP overnight go to Great American Land and Cattle on Alabama for best Texas steak. In fact call me and I'll meet you (5 minutes from the house).🙂

Have you been to the Cattleman's way outside El Paso? I went many years ago and seem to remember it being pretty good. I also seem to remember it being pretty expensive.

Take care,
Jeff

 

[BKN]

Have you been to the Cattleman's way outside El Paso? I went many years ago and seem to remember it being pretty good. I also seem to remember it being pretty expensive.

Take care,
Jeff

Sure, it is good. I understand that the people who owned it orignally, sold it, then moved into town to start American L&C.

Cattleman's is worth the trip (45 minutes) for the food, the atmosphere and the sunset.😀

 

[GeneralVeers]

Steak?

Is this a program perk I haven't heard of yet? 🙂

Take care,
Jeff

When I'm PD of a residency it will be 😀

 

[dr.smurf]

tx has always been one of those states that has had rigorous physician licensing requirements and paperwork. and if you think of it from the consumer/pt side its a good thing. for us, it sux! ive heard some pretty shady stories from friends as to why and im sure you can imagine. everything from false med school diplomas to false usmles, etc. its pretty scary. but, i agree they need some more man power b/c this kind of delay is crazy.

tx is also one state taking one for the team (national that is) to protect physicians practice scopes. as im sure most have heard psychologists are fighting for the prescription pads, chiropractors are dabling in emg's, and the list goes on. the state has an obligation and they are taking it serious.

read this: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/10/02/prsb1002.htm