Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline

Frequently Asked Questions

In order to enhance our Board’s responsiveness to the needs of the general and medical communities of the State of R.I. we are compiling what we hope will be an ever expanding list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). We have divided these questions into two groups: (1) those frequently posed by members of the general public and (2) those posed by the physician community.

Physician Specific Questions and Answers

Question: How many Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credits are required?

Answer: A new law was adopted in the 2003 legislative session beginning in the calendar year 2004, every physician licensed to practice medicine within this state, in connection with biannual registration, on or before the first day of June in each even-numbered year, provide satisfactory evidence to the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline that in the preceding two (2) years the practitioner has completed a prescribed course of continuing medical education.

Note: when the CME period is approaching the Board gets a lot of calls asking where they can get the CME. Although the Board does not endorse one source over others, we are happy to share information. Many websites offer access to CME. Examples include http://www.informed.cme.edu/, http://www.emedicine.com/ or http://www.vlh.com. We would be happy to post others that members of our physician community suggest.

Question: What is the time frame for Continuing Medical Education Credits?

Answer: The new physician licensing law (Adopted in 2003) mandates re-application every two (2) years beginning in the calendar year 2004, on or before the first day of June in each even-numbered year that 40 CME's must be indicated on the renewal application. Said continuing medical education shall include a minimum of two (2) hours related to the following:  universal precautions, infections control, modes of transmission, bioterrorism, OSHA, ethics, end-of-life education, palliative care, pain management, and other regulatory requirements

Note:  If a physician was in training or became Board Certified or Re-Certifies within the cycle that satisfies this requirement.

Question: How long does it take to get a full medical license in RI?

Answer: The time frame quoted is approximately 2 – 3 months. However, occasionally physicians complete their applications in less time. Our office advises that applicants check with the Board about once a week on the credentials that are outstanding to speed up the process (email is preferred laurend@doh.state.ri.us ).

Fast Track - If an applicant is licensed and in good standing in another state, the Board will consider licensing an applicant PENDING the receipt of the required (Federation of State Medical Boards ) Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS) form. All other applicants must wait for receipt of FCVS. This can take up to 90 days, depending on the applicants cooperation with the process.

Question: What part of the process takes the longest?

Answer: FEDERATION CREDENTIALS VERIFICATION SERVICE (FCVS) – this process takes about 8-10 weeks, sometimes longer; checking with them about once a week speeds up the process; this is most often the rate limiting step in the application process and there is no alternative mechanism for primary credentials verification for licensure.

Question: How many times are physicians allowed to take each step of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE)?

Answer: Up to 3 efforts per examination. A special exemption must be granted for the Board to sponsor a candidate for additional attempts.

Question: If a candidate has taken one of the USMLE steps more than 3 times before ultimately passing, can he/she apply for a license?

Answer: Generally No; However, we ask you to send a letter to the Board describing the situation, including scores. This request is presented to the Licensing Committee which formally makes the decision to grant or deny the request.

Question: Is there a maximum time frame/limit between USMLE Steps 1 to 3?

Answer: Yes - 7 years; However, we ask you to send a letter to the Board describing the situation, including scores. This request is presented to the Licensing Committee which formally makes the decision to grant or deny the request.

Question: What are the requirements for medical licensure for graduates of foreign medical schools?

Answer: The requirements for licensure in the State of Rhode Island for graduates of international medical schools, and indeed throughout the United States, are considerable but act to assure that only qualified physicians are granted the privilege to practice medicine.

In short a graduate of an international medical school must next achieve certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Information regarding the ECFMG is available through their web site at http://www.ecfmg.org/. The requirements for ECFMG certification are successful completion of (1) the first two parts of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE parts I and II), (2) the Test of English As a Foreign Language Examination (TOEFL), and (3) the Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA). Once certified by the ECFMG, Dr Seng would then be eligible for postgraduate training in the United States.

In order to be eligible for an independent license to practice medicine in Rhode Island, an international graduate then needs to complete (1) an accredited residency training program and (2) the third part of the United States medical licensing examination (USMLE III). These requirements are described by the statute 5-37-2 which is available online at www.rilin.state.ri.us/statutes/title5/5-37/5-37-2.HTM. At this point, he would then apply for the license through the board of medical licensure and discipline. Applications are available online or by request (401-222-3855).

This entire process generally takes from three to five years depending upon the candidates prior training, enthusiasm and aptitude.

In Rhode Island we are very fortunate to have excellent postgraduate training programs sponsored by Brown's affiliated academic medical centers at Lifespan, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island and Butler Hospital as well as Boston University affiliated programs at the Roger Williams General Hospital. A full listing of these programs is available through the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (online at http://www.acgme.org/.) This listing also includes the names of program Directors and their contact information. Admission to these programs, however, is very competitive. Further, each of the required examinations for ECFMG certification are administered at the candidates expense which can total several thousand dollars.

Question: Do I still need to be ECFMG certified if I am a US citizen (and graduate of an International Medical School) ? Do I still need to take the TOEFL?

Answer: Yes, insofar as ECFMG certification is a requirement for all IMG’s for residency training. Yes, the TOEFL is a requirement of the ECFMG even for native English speakers.

Question: Teleradiology now makes it possible for physicians outside of Rhode Island to interpret digital radiographs remotely. Do radiologists who do this need to be licensed in the State of RI?

Answer: Provided that the teleradiologist provides reports to physicians who are licensed to practice medicine in Rhode Island [and not directly to patients], and has an unrestricted license to practice somewhere in the United States, then they do not need to be licensed in Rhode Island.

Question:  If a group of doctors want to open an outpatient surgical clinic - which Controlled Substance Number do they use on the application.

Answer:  One physician will have the primary responsibility for compliance for all storage, and maintenance requirements pursuant to Federal and State Law.  That physicians DEA registration and Controlled Substance Registration number will be utilized for the ordering and dispensing of any medications used in the facility.