Chapter 360-2 LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
| (1) |
An
applicant for a medical license must provide:
| (a) |
An affidavit that the applicant is a
United States citizen, a legal permanent resident of the United States, or that
he/she is a qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and
Nationality Act. If the applicant is not a U.S. citizen, he/she must submit
documentation that will determine his/her qualified alien status. The Board
participates in the DHS-USCIS SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification
for Entitlements or "SAVE") program for the purpose of verifying citizenship
and immigration status information of non-citizens. If the applicant is a
qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality
Act, he/she must provide the alien number issued by the Department of Homeland
Security or other federal immigration agency. |
| (b) |
An application that is complete,
including all required documentation, signatures, seals, and fees. An
application shall expire one year from the date of receipt. Any subsequent
application must be accompanied by submission of appropriate documentation and
application fee. |
| (c) |
Evidence of
good moral character. Reference Forms shall be valid for six months from the
date of signature. If the application is not approved during the six-month
period, the Board may require a new and more current reference. |
| (d) |
Verification of licensure from every
state in which the applicant has ever held any type of medical
license. |
| (e) |
Verification of a
passing score on one of the following examinations approved by the Board:
| i. |
Steps 1, 2 and 3 of the United States
Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) |
| ii. |
Federation Licensing Examination (FLEX
taken on or before June 1, 1985) (combined scores from different FLEX
administrations between January 1, 1978 and January 1,1985 are not
accepted) |
| iii. |
FLEX Components I
and II (FLEX taken after June 1, 1985) |
| iv. |
National Board of Medical Examiners
(NBME) |
| v. |
State Medical Board of
Examinations taken before June 30, 1973 |
| vi. |
Medical Council of Canada Qualifying
Examination (MCCQE) for graduates of Canadian medical schools who completed
post-graduate training in Canada |
| vii. |
National Board of Osteopathic Medical
Examiners (NBOME) |
| viii. |
Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) |
| ix. |
The certifying examination of the Puerto
Rico Medical Board, for graduates of Puerto Rican medical schools who completed
post-graduate training in Puerto Rico. |
|
| (f) |
Verification of medical education by
submitting an official transcript of all medical education directly to the
Board from the school where such education was taken. If the transcript is in a
foreign language, a certified English translation must be furnished. The
transcript shall include the dates the applicant attended the school and the
grades received in all courses taken to fulfill the requirements of the degree
granted. At the Board's discretion, the medical school transcript requirement
may be waived and the results of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB)
verification service may be accepted if the applicant adequately demonstrates
that all diligent efforts have been made to secure transcripts from the school.
In such a case, the Board may require the applicant to appear for a personal
interview before the Physician Licensure Committee of the Board.
| i. |
Medical schools in the United States,
Puerto Rico and Canada must require a minimum of two years of pre-medical
education and be approved by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
or the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College
accreditation (AOA COCA), or the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical
Schools (CACMS). |
| ii. |
A medical
school located outside the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada and Fifth
Pathway programs must have a program of education in the art and science of
medicine leading to a medical doctor degree or the medical doctor equivalent
that requires a minimum of two (2) years of pre-medical education and includes
at least 130 weeks of instruction. Applicants must have official transcripts
that include at least 130 weeks of instruction. |
|
| (g) |
Verification of post-graduate/residency
training as follows:
| i. |
Graduates of approved
medical schools must show completion of one year of postgraduate training in a
program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
(ACGME), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) or the Royal College of
Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the College of Family Physicians
of Canada (CFPC). The Board may consider current certification of any applicant
by a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) as
evidence that such applicant's postgraduate medical training has satisfied the
requirements of this paragraph. Approved Medical Schools are those located in
the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada, those listed on the Medical
Schools Recognized by the Medical Board of California (effective
February 4, 2010, adopted by reference), and those approved by the
Board. |
| ii. |
Graduates of medical
schools not approved by the Board must show completion of three years of
postgraduate training in a program approved by the Accreditation Council for
Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA),
the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or the College
of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC). The Board may consider current
certification of any applicant by a member board of the American Board of
Medical Specialties (ABMS) as evidence that such applicant's postgraduate
medical training has satisfied the requirements of this paragraph. |
| iii. |
Applicants who were licensed in another
State on or before July 1, 1967 are not required to supply proof of any
postgraduate/residency training. |
|
| (h) |
Verification of residence in the United
States for one year, except for graduates of Canadian medical schools, if the
applicant is an alien. |
| (i) |
Graduates of foreign medical schools outside of Canada must provide proof of
certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
(ECFMG) unless they were licensed by another state before March 1, 1958. This
requirement does not apply to foreign-trained students who furnish proof of the
following:
| (i) |
successful completion of AMA
approved Fifth Pathway program, and |
| (ii) |
passing the ECFMG qualifying medical
component examination with a score of 75 or above. |
|
|
| (2) |
The Board in its discretion
may require an applicant for licensure to take and pass the Special Purposes
Examination (SPEX) prepared by the Federation of State Medical Boards of the
United States, or other Board-approved competency assessment. The circumstances
under which the Board may require a competency examination include, but are not
limited to applicants for licensure who have been the subject of disciplinary
action in another state; or who would be subject to disciplinary action or
corrective action in this state based upon their conduct or condition; or who
have previously engaged in the practice of medicine and who have not practiced
for a period greater than thirty (30) consecutive months. |
| (3) |
Nothing in this rule shall be construed
to prevent the Board from denying or conditionally granting an application for
licensure. |
| (1) |
Applicants
applying to take USMLE Step 3 through Georgia are required to submit an
application directly to the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) on forms
approved by the Board. |
| (2) |
Applicants must furnish the following evidence to the FSMB:
| (a) |
Evidence of graduation from a medical
school that requires a minimum of two (2) years of pre-medical
education. |
| (b) |
Evidence of passing
USMLE Steps 1 and 2; and |
| (c) |
For
applicants who graduated from medical school after January 1, 1967, evidence of
completion of post-graduate year one (PGY-1) or a statement from the program
director that the applicant is expected to complete (PGY-1) within three 3
months. Such postgraduate training must be in a program fully or provisionally
accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) or the Royal College of
Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the College of Family Physician of
Canada (CFPC), or the or the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical
Schools (CACMS). |
| (d) |
Certification
by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), if the
applicant graduated from a school that is not in the United States, Puerto
Rico, or Canada. This requirement does not apply to foreign-trained applicants
who furnish proof of the following:
| (i) |
Successful completion of an AMA-approved Fifth Pathway program; and |
| (ii) |
Verification of passing USMLE Steps 1
and 2; and |
| (iii) |
Official
transcripts of all medical education submitted directly to the FSMB from the
school where such education was taken. If the transcripts are in a foreign
language, applicants must furnish certified English translations. Transcripts
must include the dates the applicant attended the school and the grades
received in all courses taken to fulfill the requirements of the degree
granted. In the Board's discretion, the transcript may be waived and the
results of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) verification service
accepted if the applicant adequately demonstrates that all diligent efforts
have been made to secure transcripts from the school. |
|
|
| (3) |
Preceptorships are not
approved in lieu of post-graduate training. |
| (4) |
USMLE Step 3 applicants may be required
to appear for a personal interview at the discretion of the Board. |
| (5) |
Unless enrolled in an M.D./PhD or
D.O./PhD program, applicants must successfully complete USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3
within a seven (7) year period. Applicants enrolled in an M.D./PhD or D.O./PhD
program must successfully complete USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3 within a nine (9)
year period. |
| (6) |
Applicants who
have never been licensed, and who have failed the USMLE Step 3 a total of three
(3) times since January 1, 1994 must have one year of additional Board-approved
clinical training. The training must be completed prior to taking USMLE Step 3
again. |
| (7) |
Nothing in this rule
shall be construed to prevent the Board from denying or conditionally granting
an application for licensure by examination. |
Temporary licenses may be issued to an applicant at the
discretion of the Executive Director, with the approval of the Chairperson of
the Board. Such licenses shall have the effect of a permanent license until the
next regular Board meeting, when the temporary license shall become void. The
temporary license fee shall be designated in the fee
schedule.
| (1) |
Duplicate
licenses may be issued upon approval by the Board if the original license is
lost, stolen, or destroyed, or if the licensee has had a legal change of name.
Duplicate licenses are not issued for satellite offices. |
| (2) |
To request a duplicate license, the
licensee must submit a duplicate request form stating the reason the duplicate
license is requested. If the form is based on a name change, the licensee must
submit a copy of the official document (marriage certificate, divorce decree or
court order) indicating the name change, as well as the date and place of the
change. If the name change occurred during naturalization, the application must
also include the naturalization number, the name and address of the court, the
date of naturalization, and the name change. |
| (3) |
All requests must include the duplicate
license fee. The duplicate license fee shall be designated in the fee
schedule. |
| (1) |
Each licensee shall notify the Board within thirty (30) days, in writing, of
all changes of address. Any mailing or notice from the Board shall be
considered to be served on the licensee when sent to the licensee's last
address on file with the Board. |
| (2) |
All active licenses must be renewed every two years. This may be done via the
internet or through mail. A medical licensee may not practice medicine after
the expiration date of the license. A license must be renewed biennially by the
last day of the month in which the applicant's birthday falls, and the licensee
must establish satisfaction of Board-approved continuing education requirements
to be eligible for renewal. |
| (3) |
Licensees have the right to obtain a late renewal of their licenses during the
three (3) month period immediately following the expiration date. During this
period, the penalty for late renewal applies. A physician may not practice
medicine after the expiration date of his or her license. |
| (4) |
The Board shall administratively revoke
any license not renewed prior to the expiration of the late renewal period.
Such revocation removes all rights and privileges to practice medicine and
surgery in this State. A practitioner who is so revoked must apply for
reinstatement. Revocation for failure to renew may be reported to the public
and to other state licensing boards, and will be reported as a revocation for
failure to renew. Revocation for failure to renew is not considered a
disciplinary revocation. However, the license may only be reinstated through
application. |
| (5) |
Notwithstanding
the provisions of paragraph (4) of this rule, any service member as defined in
O.C.G.A. § 15-12-1 whose license to practice
medicine expired while on active duty outside the state shall be permitted to
practice in accordance with the expired license and shall not be charged with a
violation relating to such practice on an expired license for a period of six
(6) months from the date of his or her discharge from active duty or
reassignment to a location within the state. Such service member shall be
entitled to renew such expired license without penalty within six (6) months
after the date of his or her discharge from active duty or reassignment to a
location within this state. The service member must present to the Board a copy
of the official military orders or a written verification signed by the service
member's commanding officer to waive any charges. |
| (6) |
The fee for renewals and late renewals
shall be designated in the fee schedule. |
| (7) |
All applicants must provide an affidavit
and a secure and verifiable document in accordance with O.C.G.A. 50-36-1(f). If
the applicant has previously provided a secure and verifiable document and
affidavit of United States citizenship, no additional documentation of
citizenship is required for renewal. If the applicant for renewal is not a
United States citizen, he/she must submit documentation that will determine
his/her qualified alien status. The Board participates in the DHS-USCIS SAVE
(Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements or "SAVE") program for purpose
of verifying citizenship and immigration status information of non-U.S.
citizens. If the applicant for renewal is a qualified alien or non-immigrant
under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act, he/she must provide the
alien number issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other federal
agency. |
| (1) |
Licensee who wishes to maintain his or her medical license but who does not
wish to practice medicine and surgery in this State may apply to the Board for
inactive status by submitting an application and the fee. A licensee with an
inactive license may not practice medicine in this State. |
| (2) |
In order to reinstate a license to
practice medicine, an applicant must complete an application and pay a
reinstatement fee. The applicant must be able to demonstrate to the
satisfaction of the Board that he or she has maintained current knowledge,
skill and proficiency in the practice of medicine and that he or she is
mentally and physically able to practice medicine with reasonable skill and
safety. |
| (3) |
Reinstatement of the
license is within the discretion of the Board. |
| (4) |
The Board may require the passage of an
examination, such as SPEX or PLAS or other competency assessments. The Board,
in its discretion, may impose any remedial requirements deemed
necessary. |
| (5) |
The Board may deny
reinstatement for failure to demonstrate current knowledge, skill and
proficiency in the practice of medicine or being mentally or physically unable
to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety or for any ground set
forth in O.C.G.A. § 43-34-8. |
| (6) |
The denial of reinstatement is not a
contested case, but the applicant shall be entitled to an appearance before the
Board. |
| (7) |
The fee for
reinstatement of a license shall be designated in the fee schedule. |
| (1) |
A minimum of
two (2) years shall pass from the date of any revocation of a license before
the Board will consider an application for reinstatement. If the Board denies
any application for reinstatement, the Board may require that a minimum of two
(2) years pass from the date of the denial before the Board will consider
subsequent applications for reinstatement. This two-year requirement shall only
apply in those instances in which the license in question was revoked for
reasons other than failure to renew. |
| (2) |
In order to reinstate a license to
practice medicine, an applicant must be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction
of the Board that he or she has maintained current knowledge, skill and
proficiency in the practice of medicine and that he or she is mentally and
physically able to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety. The
Board may also require the applicant to meet with the Board or a committee of
the Board. In addition, the Applicant must submit an application for
reinstatement and comply with the following:
| (a) |
If the license has been expired for
twelve or fewer months, and the applicant has practiced medicine in Georgia on
any occasion after the expiration date of the license, the applicant must pay a
reinstatement fee of $1,000.00 and provide proof of ten additional continuing
education hours over the required forty for renewal. |
| (b) |
If it the license has been expired more
than twelve months, and the applicant has practiced medicine in Georgia on any
occasion after the expiration date of the license, the applicant must pay a
reinstatement fee of $2,000.00 and provide proof of 40 hours of additional
continuing education over the forty required for renewal. |
| (c) |
If the applicant has not practiced
medicine in Georgia on any occasion after the expiration date of the license,
the applicant must pay a reinstatement fee of $500.00 and provide proof of 40
hours of continuing education within the past two years of
application. |
|
| (3) |
The
Board, in its discretion, may impose any remedial requirements for applicants
who have previously engaged in the practice of medicine and who have not
practiced for a period greater than thirty (30) consecutive months as approved
by the Board. The Board may require the passage of an examination, such as
SPEX, PLAS, or other competency assessments as approved by the Board |
| (4) |
Prior to reinstatement of a license, the
Board must have received an affidavit that the applicant is a United States
citizen, a legal permanent resident of the United States, or that he/she is a
qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality
Act. If the applicant is not a U.S. citizen, he/she must submit documentation
that will determine his/her qualified alien status. The Board participates in
the DHS-USCIS SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements
or "SAVE") program for the purpose of verifying citizenship and immigration
status information of non-citizens. If the applicant is a qualified alien or
non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act, he/she must
provide the alien number issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other
federal immigration agency. |
| (5) |
This provision of this rule shall not be construed to limit the ability of the
Board to impose sanctions for continuing to practice with an expired
license. |
| (6) |
Reinstatement of the
license is within the discretion of the Board. |
| (7) |
The Board may deny reinstatement for
failure to demonstrate current knowledge, skill and proficiency in the practice
of medicine or being mentally or physically unable to practice medicine with
reasonable skill and safety or for any ground set forth in O.C.G.A. § 43-34-8. |
| (8) |
The denial of reinstatement is not a
contested case, but the applicant shall be entitled to an appearance before the
Board. |
| (1) |
Definitions.
| (a) |
For the purposes of this rule a not for
profit or non-profit agency, institution, corporation or association is one
that exempt from federal taxation and provides medical services for indigent
patients in this State. |
| (b) |
Medically underserved areas/medically underserved populations mean those areas
and populations that are designated as such by the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of
Primary Health Care. |
| (c) |
Non-compensated employ means employment in which the physician has no
expectation of payment or compensation for any medical services rendered, or
any compensation or payment to the physician, either direct or indirect,
monetary or in-kind, for the provision of medical services. |
|
| (2) |
The Board may issue in its
discretion and without examination, a special medical license to qualifying
physicians for the sole purpose of practicing medicine in the noncompensated
employ of public, not for profit, or nonprofit agencies, institutions,
corporations, or associations that provide medical services solely to indigent
patients in medically underserved or critical need population areas of the
State. |
| (3) |
Volunteer licenses may
be issued to persons who:
| (a) |
Possess a
current license to practice medicine in good standing in any medical licensing
jurisdiction in the United States; or, |
| (b) |
Have retired from the full or part-time
practice of medicine and, prior to retirement, maintained a license to practice
medicine in good standing in any medical-licensing jurisdiction in the United
States. |
| (c) |
For purpose of this
rule "good standing" shall mean that the applicant has had no disciplinary
action taken against his/her license by any state, and has not let his/her
license in any state expire or become inactive during an investigation by a
state medical board into allegations relating to his/her practice of medicine
or during a pending disciplinary action. |
|
| (4) |
Applicants for a volunteer license must
complete an application form approved by the Board. Applications must be
complete, including all required documents, signatures and seals. |
| (5) |
Applicants must furnish the following
evidence:
| (a) |
A copy of his or her medical
degree, if not previously licensed in this State; |
| (b) |
Proof of licensure in good standing in
the applicant's current and/or all prior licensing jurisdictions on a form
approved by the Board; |
| (c) |
A
notarized verification of employment form completed by the applicant's employer
documenting the applicant's agreement not to receive compensation for any
medical services he or she may render while practicing under this
Chapter; |
| (d) |
If the employer is
other than a public employer, documentation that the employer is a not for
profit or non-profit agency, institution, corporation or association that
provides medical services only to indigent patients in this State; |
| (e) |
Evidence of compliance with the Board's
continuing medical education requirements. |
| (f) |
An affidavit that the applicant is a
United States citizen, a legal permanent resident of the United States, or that
he/she is a qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and
Nationality Act. If the applicant is not a U.S. citizen, he/she must submit
documentation that will determine his/her qualified alien status. The Board
participates in the DHS-USCIS SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification
for Entitlements or "SAVE") program for the purpose of verifying citizenship
and immigration status information of non-citizens. If the applicant is a
qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and Nationality
Act, he/she must provide the alien number issued by the Department of Homeland
Security or other federal immigration agency. |
|
| (6) |
Before the Board considers an
application, an inquiry shall be made by the staff to the National Practitioner
Data Bank (NPDB). |
| (7) |
Applicants
who are not in compliance with the Board's continuing medical education
requirements, but are otherwise qualified to obtain a volunteer license, shall
receive a nonrenewable temporary license to practice under this rule for a
period of six (6) months. |
| (8) |
The
volunteer license will limit practice to the non-compensated employ of the
public agency or institution, or not for profit agency, not for profit
institution or not for profit association who provided notarized verification
of employment pursuant to paragraph 5 (c) of this rule. |
| (9) |
Volunteer licensees are not permitted to
perform any surgical procedure. |
| (10) |
Volunteer licenses are not subject to
application, licensure or renewal fees. |
| (11) |
Volunteer licensees shall at all times
meet the minimum standards of acceptable and prevailing medical practice.
Volunteer licenses shall be subject to disciplinary provisions of O.C.G.A.
§§ 43-34-8, as well as the Board
rules governing unprofessional conduct. |
| (12) |
Except as provided in paragraph (7),
volunteer licenses issued under this Chapter will expire on the last day of the
month in which the applicant's birthday falls as provided by Rule
360-2-.05. In addition to the renewal
requirements of Rule
360-2-.05, the renewal applicant must
provide evidence of continued employment in the non-compensated employ of
public, not for profit, or nonprofit agencies, institutions, corporations, or
associations that provide medical services solely to indigent patients in
board. Those applicants who cannot establish such continued employment are not
eligible to renew their volunteer licenses. |
| (1) |
Definitions.
| (a) |
"ACGME" means Accreditation Council for
Graduate Medical Education. |
| (b) |
"AMA" means American Medical Association. |
| (c) |
"AOA" means the American Osteopathic
Association. |
| (d) |
"Application"
means an application form completed according to the instructions provided in
the application, which includes all the required documentation, signatures,
seals and the application fee as published in the Board's fee
schedule. |
| (e) |
"Board" means the
Composite State Board of Medical Examiners. |
| (f) |
"ECFMG" means Educational Commission for
Foreign Medical Graduates. |
| (g) |
"Permit holder" means a person authorized to participate in a postgraduate
medical training program subject to the limitations in O.C.G.A. § 43-34-8 and Rules
360-2-.09 through
360-2-.11. |
| (h) |
"Physician" means a doctor of medicine or
osteopathy licensed to practice medicine by the Board pursuant to Article 2,
Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. |
| (i) |
"Postgraduate training program" means a
program for the training of interns, residents or post residency fellows that
is approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
(ACGME), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) or the Board. |
| (j) |
"Temporary postgraduate training permit"
means a permit issued by the Board to a graduate of a Board approved medical or
osteopathic school who is enrolled in a postgraduate training program deemed
acceptable by the Board and who does not currently hold a full and unrestricted
license in this State. |
| (k) |
"Training Institution" means an institution that sponsors and conducts a
postgraduate training program approved by the ACGME, the AOA or other program
approved by the Board for the training of interns, residents or postgraduate
fellows. |
|
| (2) |
A temporary
postgraduate training permit is mandatory for participation in all postgraduate
medical training programs in this State, unless the individual holds a license
to practice medicine in this State prior to participating in the postgraduate
medical training program or has applied for a temporary postgraduate training
permit.
| (a) |
The Board shall issue temporary
postgraduate training permits to applicants meeting the Board's qualifications
within 45 days of receipt by the Board of a completed application. |
| (b) |
Incomplete applications that have been on
file with the Board for more than 60 days shall be deemed invalid, and the
applicant shall be required to submit a new application as provided in
paragraph 3 of this rule. |
|
| (3) |
Requirements for issuance of a temporary
postgraduate training permit:
| (a) |
An affidavit
that the applicant is a United States citizen, a legal permanent resident of
the United States, or that he/she is a qualified alien or non-immigrant under
the Federal Immigration and Nationality Act. If the applicant is not a U.S.
citizen, he/she must submit documentation that will determine his/her qualified
alien status. The Board participates in the DHS-USCIS SAVE
(Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements or "SAVE") program for
the purpose of verifying citizenship and immigration status information of
non-citizens. If the applicant is a qualified alien or non-immigrant under the
Federal Immigration and Nationality Act, he/she must provide the alien number
issued by the Department of Homeland Security or other federal immigration
agency. |
| (b) |
Submission of a fully
completed application required by the Board and the application fee as
published in the Board's published fee schedule.
| 1. |
The application form shall be completed
according to the instructions provided in the Application. The Board will not
consider an application until it is complete and the Board has received all the
required documentation, signatures, seals and fees. |
| 2. |
Applicants shall inform the Board in
writing within 10 days of a change of address while an application is
pending. |
| 3. |
Application fees are
nonrefundable. |
| 4. |
Deposit of an
application fee by the Board does not indicate acceptance of the application or
that any other permit requirements have been fulfilled. |
|
| (a) |
Evidence satisfactory to the Board of
graduation from a medical or osteopathic school approved by the ACGME, the AOA
or the Liaison Committee on Medical Education; or |
| (b) |
If a graduate of a foreign medical
school, evidence satisfactory to the Board of holding a valid certificate
issued by ECFMG or having successfully completed a fifth pathway program
established in accordance with AMA criteria and passing the ECFMG qualifying
medical component examination. |
| (c) |
Certification from the Program Director on a form provided by the Board
verifying the applicant's appointment to participate in a postgraduate training
program that is
| 1. |
An internship or residency
program accredited by the ACGME or AOA; or |
| 2. |
A clinical fellowship program at an
institution with a residency program accredited either by the ACGME or the AOA
that is in a clinical field the same as or related to the clinical field of the
fellowship program. |
| 3. |
If there is
a change in Program Directors during the Program year, the new Program Director
must so notify the Board on a form approved by the Board for said
notification. |
|
|
| (4) |
Issuance of a temporary postgraduate
training permit shall not be construed to imply that the permit holder will be
deemed eligible for a license to practice medicine in this State. |
| (5) |
The Board shall have the authority to
refuse to issue or renew or to suspend, revoke, or limit a temporary
postgraduate training permit based upon any of the grounds or violations
enumerated in OCGA §§ 43-34-8. Nothing in this rule
shall be construed to prevent the Board from denying or conditionally granting
an application for a temporary postgraduate training permit. |
| (1) |
Each permit holder shall notify the Board
within thirty (30) days of all changes of address. Any mailing or notice from
the Board shall be considered to be served on the permit holder when sent to
the permit holder's last address on file with the Board. |
| (2) |
All temporary postgraduate training
permits shall expire annually on June 30th, but may, in the discretion of the
Board and upon application duly made and payment of the renewal fee required by
the Board, be renewed annually for the duration of the postgraduate training
program for a period not to exceed seven (7) years. |
| (3) |
Deposit of the renewal fee by the Board
does not indicate acceptance of the renewal application or that any permit
requirements have been fulfilled. |
| (4) |
To be eligible for renewal, the permit
holder must furnish satisfactory evidence that he or she continues to
participate in the postgraduate training program indicated on the completed
program director's certification form as required in Rule
360-2-.09(3)(d). |
| (5) |
Failure to renew a postgraduate training
permit by the designated expiration date shall result in a penalty for late
renewal as required by the Board. Postgraduate training permits that are not
renewed within one month of expiration shall be revoked for failure to renew
and a new application with the appropriate fee shall be required. |
| (6) |
A permit holder shall not participate in
postgraduate training in this State after the expiration of a postgraduate
training permit. |
| (7) |
All renewal
applicants must provide an affidavit and a secure and verifiable document in
accordance with O.C.G.A. 50-36-1(f). If the applicant has previously provided a
secure and verifiable document and affidavit of United States citizenship, no
additional documentation of citizenship is required for renewal. If the
applicant for renewal is not a United States citizen, he/she must submit
documentation that will determine his/her qualified alien status. The Board
participates in the DHS-USCIS SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for
Entitlements or "SAVE") program for purpose of verifying citizenship and
immigration status information of non-U.S. citizens. If the applicant for
renewal is a qualified alien or non-immigrant under the Federal Immigration and
Nationality Act, he/she must provide the alien number issued by the Department
of Homeland Security or other federal agency. |
| (1) |
The program director shall immediately
notify the Board of withdrawal or termination of a permit holder from a
postgraduate training program and of the reasons for said withdrawal or
termination. |
| (2) |
A permit issued
pursuant to Code Section 43-34-47 and Rules
360-2-.09 or
360-2-.10 shall automatically expire
upon the permit holder's withdrawal or termination from, completion of the
postgraduate training program or upon the permit holder obtaining a license to
practice medicine under Article 2 of Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the Official
Code of Georgia Annotated. |
| (3) |
A
permit holder who withdraws from a postgraduate training program and is
accepted or appointed to participate in another postgraduate training program
must apply for a new postgraduate training permit as provided in Rule
360-2-.09; however, the Board will not
issue a new postgraduate training permit as provided herein if the permit
holder's postgraduate training exceeds seven years. |
| (1) |
Each training institution may designate a
physician, who is licensed in this State pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter 34 of
Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, who would qualify as a
Program Director to fulfill the responsibilities as set forth in this rule. Any
physician who completed the Program Director Certification form required by
Rule 360-2-.09 and who
fails to comply with the reporting requirements of Rule
360-2-.12 shall be subject to
disciplinary action by the Board. |
| (2) |
Program directors must report to the
Board the following within 15 days of the event:
| (a) |
a permit holder's withdrawal or
termination from or completion of a postgraduate training program and the
reasons for such termination or withdrawal; |
| (b) |
the occurrence of any of the events
identified as grounds for disciplinary action or as violations enumerated in
O.C.G.A. §§ 43-34-8 or a practice restriction
taken against a permit holder; |
| (c) |
any permit holder who has an unauthorized absence from the program for any
length of time in excess of two weeks and the reason; |
|
| (3) |
At the completion of the program year,
Program Directors must provide the Board with a list of permit holders
participating in the Program Director's postgraduate medical training program
who are recommended for advancement to the next level. |
| (4) |
At the completion of the program year,
Program Directors must report to the Board whether a permit holder
participating in the Program Director's postgraduate medical training program
has failed to advance in the program for performance or behavioral
reasons. |
During an event for which the Governor of the State of Georgia
has issued an executive order declaring a disaster or a state of emergency, the
Board may waive some of the licensure requirements in order to permit the
provision of emergency health services to the public. Before practicing
medicine in Georgia under this provision, the applicant must receive the
Board's approval of the following:
| (a) |
an application for this emergency practice permit; |
| (b) |
proof of current and unrestricted
licensure in another state; |
| (c) |
a
current National Practitioner's Data Bank ("NPDB") Report and |
| (d) |
a copy of a valid government issued photo
id.
All permits issued under this provision shall be valid for 90
days or until the statement of emergency or disaster has been lifted by the
Governor of the State of Georgia, whichever comes first.
|
| (1) |
An international medical school seeking
Board approval pursuant to O.C.G.A. 43-34-26 shall provide the Board with the
following:
| (a) |
A completed application and
application fee. |
| (b) |
Completed
self-assessment form that establishes or demonstrates that:
| (i) |
MD Degree or equivalent. The medical
school's educational program leads to an MD degree or the international
equivalent, and the medical school's core curriculum and clinical instruction
meets the standards of schools accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical
Education and one of the following:
| (A) |
The
medical school is owned and operated by the government of the country in which
it is located, and the country in which it is located and the medical school's
primary purpose is educating its own citizens to practice medicine in that
country; or |
| (B) |
The medical school
has a charter or registration by the jurisdiction in which it is domiciled and
meets the standards set forth in subsections (b) (ii)-(xi) below. |
|
| (ii) |
Mission and objectives. The
institution shall have a clearly-stated written purpose and mission statement,
and have institutional objectives that are consistent with preparing graduates
to provide competent medical care. These must include:
| (A) |
Teaching, patient care, and service to
the community; |
| (B) |
The expectations
concerning the education students will receive; and |
| (C) |
The role of basic science and clinical
research as an integral component of its mission, including the importance,
processes, and evaluation of research in medical education and
practice. |
|
| (iii) |
Organization. The institution shall be organized as a definable academic unit
responsible for a resident educational program that leads to the MD
degree. |
| (iv) |
Curriculum. The
structure and content of the educational program shall provide an adequate
foundation in the basic and clinical sciences and shall enable students to
learn the fundamental principles of medicine, to acquire critical judgment
skills, and to use those principles and skills to provide competent medical
care. |
| (v) |
Governance. The
administration and governance structure system shall allow the institution to
accomplish its mission and objectives. |
| (vi) |
Faculty. The faculty shall be qualified
and sufficient in number to achieve the institution's objectives. A "qualified"
faculty member is a person who possesses either a credential generally
recognized in the field of instruction, or a a degree, professional license, or
credential at least equivalent to the level of instruction being taught or
evaluated. The institution shall have a formal ongoing faculty development
process that will enable it to fulfill its mission and objectives. |
| (vii) |
Admission and promotion standards. The
institution shall have and adhere to standards governing admission requirements
and student selection and promotion that are consistent with the institution's
mission and objectives. |
| (viii) |
Financial resources. The institution shall possess sufficient financial
resources to accomplish its mission and objectives. |
| (ix) |
Facilities. The institution shall have,
or have access to, facilities, laboratories, equipment, and library resources
that are sufficient to support the educational programs offered by the
institution and to enable it to fulfill its mission and objectives. If the
institution utilizes affiliated institutions to provide clinical instruction,
the institution shall be fully responsible for the conduct and quality of the
educational program at those affiliated institutions. |
| (x) |
Records. The institution shall maintain
and make available for inspection any records that relate to the institution's
compliance with this section for at least five years, except that student
transcripts shall be retained indefinitely. |
| (xi) |
Branch campuses. An institution with
more than one campus shall have written policies and procedures governing the
division and sharing of administrative and teaching responsibilities between
the central administration and faculty, and the administration and faculty of
the other locations. These policies shall be consistent with the institution's
mission and objectives. The institution shall be fully responsible for the
conduct and quality of the educational programs at these sites. If an
institution operates a branch campus located within the United States or
Canada, instruction received at that branch campus shall be deemed to be
instruction received and evaluated at that institution. For the purpose of this
section, the term "branch campus" means a site other than the main location of
the institution, but does not include any hospital at which only clinical
instruction is provided. |
|
|
| (2) |
The Board may, on its own or at the
request of an institution, determine whether an institution meets the
requirements of subsections 1(a) and 1(b). The Board shall have the discretion
to determine whether a site visit is necessary in order to verify the accuracy
and completeness of the data provided and to conduct an in-depth review of the
program to determine whether the institution is in compliance with these
regulations. |
| (3) |
The Board may
receive, review, evaluate, and process any materials and visit the facilities
of an institution seeking approval of their program, or the Board may contract
with an independent company or agency to perform those services for and make
recommendations to the Board. The Board shall make the final decision regarding
the approval of an institution and its program. All costs related to the
evaluation and review process, including costs for a site visit, must be paid
by the institution under review and be negotiated with the Board or the company
selected by the Board to perform the evaluation. |
| (4) |
An institution's failure to provide
requested data regarding its educational program or to cooperate with a site
visit team shall be grounds for disapproval of its educational
program. |
| (5) |
If an institution
receives and wishes to retain the Board approval of its educational program, it
shall do the following:
| (a) |
Notify the Board,
in writing, no later than 30 days after making any changes to the following:
| (ii) |
Mission, purpose, or
objectives; |
| (iv) |
Any change in curriculum
or other circumstances that would affect the institution's compliance with
subsections (a) and (b);. |
| (v) |
Shift
of change in control. A "shift or change in control" means any change in the
power or to manage, direct, or influence the conduct, policies, and affairs of
the institution from one person or group of people to another person or group
of people. This does not include the replacement of an administrator with
another person, if the owner does not transfer any interest in, or relinquish
any control of, the institution to that person. |
|
| (b) |
Every seven years, the institution shall
submit to the Board documentation sufficient to establish that it remains in
compliance with the requirements of this section. |
| (c) |
The documentation submitted pursuant to
subsection (5)(b) shall be reviewed by the Board or its designee to determine
whether the institution remains in compliance with the requirements of this
section. The Board shall make the decision if the institution remains in
compliance. |
|
| (6) |
The
Board may, at any time, withdraw its determination of approval when an
institution is no longer in compliance with this section. Prior to withdrawing
its determination of approval, the Board shall send the institution a written
notice of its intent to withdraw its approval, identifying those deficiencies
upon which it is proposing to base the withdrawal, and giving the institution
120 days from the date of the notice to respond to the notice. The Board shall
have the sole discretion to determine whether a site visit is necessary in
order to ascertain the institution's compliance with this section. The Board
shall notify the institution of its decision and the basis for that
decision. |
| (7) |
The approval process
outlined in this rule does not apply to medical schools that have already been
classified as "Approved Medical Schools" in Rule
360-2-.01(1)(g)(i).
Pursuant to Rule
360-2-.01(1)(g)(i),
"Approved Medical Schools" are medical schools located in the United States,
Puerto Rico, and Canada and those listed on the Medical Schools Recognized by
the Medical Board of California (effective February 4, 2010, adopted by
reference). |
| (1) |
Definitions. As used in this rule, the following words shall mean:
| (a) |
"Administrative Medicine" means
administration or management utilizing the medical and clinical knowledge,
skill, and judgment of a licensed physician capable of affecting the health and
safety of the public or any person but shall not include the practice of
medicine. |
| (b) |
"Administrative
medicine license" means a licensed issued by the Board to engage in the
practice of administrative medicine. |
| (c) |
"Board" means the Georgia Composite
Medical Board. |
|
| (2) |
An
applicant for an administrative medicine license shall meet all the
requirements for issuance of a full license as provided in Rule
360-2-.01 except that the applicant
shall not be required to show recent clinical practice. |
| (3) |
An administrative license, once issued,
shall be renewable as provided in Rule
360-2-.05 and such applicant for
renewal must comply with the provisions relating to continuing education as
provided in Rule
360-15-.01. |
| (4) |
A person holding an administrative
medicine license shall not be authorized to perform any surgical procedure,
write prescriptions, or practice any clinical medicine. |
| (5) |
Licensees shall be subject to
disciplinary provisions of O.C.G.A. §§ 43-34-8, as well as the Board
rules governing unprofessional conduct. |
| (6) |
This Rule shall have no effect on any
person holding an unrestricted license issued prior to the effective date of
this Rule; provided, however, that the license of any physician who has agreed
to a board order where the only requirement of the order is the restriction of
practice to administrative medicine based solely on the failure to meet the
licensure clinical requirements to be engaged in the active practice of
medicine may convert the license to an administrative medicine license by
applying to the Board for such change and the Board's order regarding such
physician shall be terminated. |
| (7) |
The Board may convert an administrative license to a full and unrestricted
license. In order to convert an administrative medicine license to a full and
unrestricted license, the administrative medicine licensee shall submit an
application to the Board and shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the board
such licensee has the clinical competence to practice medicine under an
unrestricted license and meets all applicable eligibility requirements for an
unrestricted license including, but not be limited to, requiring the
administrative medicine licensee to pass any examination or examinations the
board deems necessary demonstrating clinical competency. |
| (8) |
The fee for the application and for
renewals and late renewals shall be designated in the fee schedule. |
| (1) |
A physician licensed in another state or
foreign country who intends to enter into this state for the sole purpose of
participating in or providing educational training that involves the provision
of patient care must apply for an educational training certificate in order to
provide patient care. For purposes of this rule "educational training" shall
include medical education training, conference, clinics, workshops or
courses. |
| (2) |
The applicant for an
education training certificate must complete an application form provided by
the Board, including all required documents, signatures and seals. Said
application must include:
| (a) |
Proof of
licensure in good standing in the applicant's current and licensing
jurisdictions on a form approved by the Board. For the purpose of this rule
"good standing" shall mean that the applicant has had no disciplinary action
taken against his/her license by any state and that his/her license in any
state is still active. |
| (b) |
A
current report from the National Practitioner's Databank. |
| (c) |
Information about the educational program
including:
| 2. |
Copies of program agendas, including the
name of the provider(s), and the topics covered. |
| 3. |
Other instructor's names and
credentials |
| 4. |
Location of the
course. |
|
| (d) |
A fee as set
by the Board on the fee schedule. |
|
| (3) |
Any educational training certificate
issued by the Board will be valid for three months after issuance. After that
time, it will expire. Any out of state physician needing additional time for an
educational training certificate must reapply for an additional
certificate. |
