SCS/SB 772 - The act provides that an applicant for licensure as a physician or a surgeon who does not achieve a passing score within three attempts on a licensing exam administered in one or more states may petition the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts for an exception to such requirement based upon unusual or extenuating circumstances. Likewise, an applicant who does not pass a step of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners Comprehensive Licensing Exam (COMLEX) within three attempts or does not pass all three steps within a seven year period may also petition the Board for an exception. Applicants must provide proof of successful completion of the USMLE or the COMLEX, rather than just proof of completion. The act repeals the provision authorizing the Board to determined the passing score of the USMLE.
The act removes the provision that states that in order for the Board to waive licensure requirements for an applicant who is licensed in another state the applicant must be certified by a certifying agency in the applicant's area of specialty.
The state shall not require adherence to the Federation of State Medical Boards' framework as a condition for physician license renewal or any form of specialty medical board certification to practice medicine within the state. The State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts or any other state agency shall not discriminate against physicians who do not maintain specialty medical board certification.
This act is similar to language in SS/SCS/HB 1816 (2016), SCS/HB 1682 (2016), HB 2304 (2016), HB 2554 (2016), HB 683 (2015), SB 411 (2015), SS/SB 400 (2015), and HB 671 (2015).
JESSI BAKER