Unrestricted license may now be applied for by graduates of
foreign medical schools provided they can comply with the following
requirements and meet the approval of the Board of Medical Examiners;
1. Be twenty-one years of age.
2. Be of good moral character.
3. Demonstrated in personal interview the
ability to read, write, and speak English fluently; and also demonstrate
adequate training and ability sufficient to permit the practice of medicine in
accordance with accepted medical practice in the State of Arkansas.
4. Present documented evidence that he or she
served three years as an intern or resident in an accredited postgraduate
medical education program in the United States; or, completed one year as an
intern or resident in an accredited post-graduate medical program in the United
States and be currently enrolled in an accredited post-graduate medical program
in Arkansas. The Applicant should further provide a Letter of Recommendation
from the Intern or Residency Director, outlining the Applicant Physician's
competence in the practice of medicine and his ability to appropriately
interact with patients and other medical staff
5. Provide indisputable
identification.
6. Present a
Standard ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates Exam)
Certificate,
7.
A. Present proof of successful completion of
Steps 1, 2 and 3 of the USMLE
(United States Medical Licensing Exam) within 7 years from the
time the applicant passes or successfully completes Step 1 or Step 2, whichever
is completed first.
B. The
applicant must successfully complete each step in no more than 3 attempts per
step.
A waiver may be granted by the Board, if requested by the
applicant, from the "3 attempt per step limit," for Step 1 and/or Step 2. The
waiver will be granted if the Board finds that the applicant can show
documentation and proof that he/she suffered from a significant health
condition or personal problem, and that by its severity would necessarily cause
delay to the applicant's medical education and successful completion of the
step testing. The waiver will not exceed 4 attempts per step.
A waiver may also be granted to the "3 attempt per step limit" on
step 3 not to exceed 4 attempts if:
1)
the applicant has completed one year of approved graduate medical education
after the 3rd failed attempt and before the fourth
and final attempt at step 3; or
2)
the applicant can show proof that he/she is certified in a Specialty Board by
the American Board of Medical Specialties.
C. The seven year period to pass all steps
may be extended, not to exceed 10 years, by the Board, if the applicant:
1) Is certified in a Specialty Board by the
American Board of Medical Specialties; or
2) Can retake the appropriate step to bring
the successful completion of the 3 Steps within the 7 year time
period.
D. No further
waivers will be granted except as set forth in this Regulation.
