Ala. Admin. Code r. 540-X-3-.04 - Examination Requirements

(1) Applicants for a certificate of qualification shall achieve a passing score on one of the licensure examinations listed below:

(a) The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

1. Applicants who are not dual degree candidates as specified in subparagraph (1)(a)3. below, shall have achieved a passing score on Step 3 in not more than three administrations. These applicants shall have passed Steps 1, 2 and 3 within a seven-year period. The time period for completion of Steps 1, 2 and 3 begins when the applicant initially passes his or her first Step. The Board shall not accept scores from a re-examination of a previously passed Step of the USMLE. The seven-year period is determined on a calendar year to calendar year basis. These applicants shall not have attempted to pass Steps 1, 2 and 3 a combined total of more than ten (10) times.

2. Applicants who are not dual degree candidates as specified in subparagraph (1)(a)3. below and who are currently board certified by one or more of the specialty boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association shall not be required to pass Steps 1, 2 and 3 within the seven-year period specified in subparagraph (1)(a)1. above; however, these applicants shall be limited to a combined total of ten (10) attempts to pass Steps 1, 2 and 3 as set forth in subparagraph (1)(a)1.

3. Applicants who are dual degree candidates as defined in these rules shall have achieved a passing score on Step 3 in not more than three administrations, and shall have completed Steps 1, 2 and 3 within a ten (10)-year period, except that the Board may approve, within its discretion and at the request of the applicant, a longer period not to exceed 15 years. The time period for completion of Steps 1, 2, and 3 begins when the applicant initially passes his or her first step. The time period for completion is determined on a calendar year to calendar year basis. The Board shall not accept scores from a re-examination of a previously passed step of the USMLE.

4. For purposes of the United States Medical Licensing Examination, dual degree candidates are defined as the following:

(i) The applicant is pursuing the M. D. or D. O. degree and the Ph.D. degree in an institution or program accredited by the LCME and a regional university accrediting body; and

(ii) The applicant is a student in good standing, enrolled in the institution or program; and

(iii) The Ph.D. studies are in a field of biological sciences tested in the USMLE Step 1 content, including, but not limited to anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, genetics, neuroscience and molecular biology.

5. If an applicant fails to achieve a passing score on Step 3 in three administrations, the Board may approve one additional attempt to pass Step 3 after demonstration by the applicant of additional education, experience, or training acceptable to the Board.

(b) The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination or its predecessor examination administered by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners.

(c) The Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada Examination.

(d) If the examination was completed before January 1, 2000, applicants, by endorsement, who are licensed in another state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or a province of Canada are eligible for licensure upon proof of a passing score on one of the following examinations:

1. The Federation Licensing Examination.

2. The National Board of Medical Examiners Examination.

(e) The Board has established that the successful completion of certain combinations of the Federation Licensing Examination, National Board of Medical Examiners Examination and/or United States Medical Licensing Examinations, which are listed herein, are acceptable through January 1, 2000, in satisfaction of the examination requirement for a certificate of qualification. Those combinations and the passing score for each examination component are as follows:

1. NBME Part 1 (passing score=75) or USMLE Step 1 (passing score=75); plus NBME Part 11 (passing score=75) or USMLE Step 2 (passing score=75); plus NBME Part III (passing score=75) or USMLE Step 3 (passing score=75); or

2. FLEX Component 1 (passing score=75); plus USMLE Step 3 (passing score=75); or

3. NBME Part 1 (passing score=75 or USMLE Step 1 (passing score=75); plus NBME Part 11 (passing score=75) or USMLE Step 2 (passing score=75); plus FLEX Component 2 (passing score=75).

(f) Documentation submitted through the Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS) may be accepted to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this rule.

Notes

Ala. Admin. Code r. 540-X-3-.04

Filed May 20, 1993 for publication. See also Notice of Intended Action dated May 20, 1993 repealing existing Chapter 3. Amended: July 21, 1993; effective August 25, 1993. Amended: Filed August 21, 1997; effective September 25, 1997. Amended: Filed November 20, 1997; effective December 25, 1997. Amended: Filed July 26, 1999; effective August 30, 1999. Amended: Filed March 22, 2002; effective April 26, 2002. Amended: Filed October 17, 2002; effective November 21, 2002. Amended: Filed March 21, 2003; effective April 25, 2003. Amended: Filed December 17, 2005; effective January 21, 2005. Amended: Filed September 23, 2005; effective October 28, 2005. Amended: Filed October 15, 2008; effective November 19, 2008. Amended: Filed October 22, 2009; effective November 26, 2009. Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XL, Issue No. 03, December 30, 2021, eff. 2/13/2022.

Author: Alabama Board of Medical Examiners

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-24-53; Act No. 93-148.