• Suspension of privileges or reprimanded
• Academic probation
• State board action / investigation / reprimand / letter of concern / etc.
• DUII, Drug/Alcohol, or mental/physical health issues

A: Your school of medicine/osteopathic/podiatric medicine must be listed as an Acceptable School with the AMA, AOA, APMA and/or the Accreditation Council of Canada. Here is a link to the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) list of accredited medical education programs: http://www.lcme.org/directry.htm.

A: Graduates of international medical schools must provide the Board with documentation to substantiate that the medical school from which the applicant graduated provided a resident course of professional instruction equivalent to that provided in a medical school approved by either the Liaison Committee on Medical Education of the American Medical Association or by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools of the Canadian Medical Association.  
 
The US Department of Education’s National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA) has determined several countries use standards to accredit their medical schools that are comparable to the standards used to accredit medical schools in the US.  A list of these countries and their respective accrediting bodies is available at http://www.ed.gov/print/about/bdscomm/list/ncfmea.html. 
 
The Oregon Medical Board accepts schools accredited by the accrediting bodies in these countries.  The applicant is responsible for arranging for the foreign accrediting body to verify directly to the Oregon Medical Board the accreditation status of the school at the time of the applicant’s graduation.
           
Graduates of an International medical school can also refer to the list of medical schools recognized by the Medical Board of California at http://www.mbc.ca.gov/applicant/schools_recognized.html.  Schools on this list are accepted by the Oregon Medical Board.

A: You must have accomplished the following:

• Obtained your MD, DO, or MBBS degree
• You must have completed four full terms of medical school consisting of eight months each, with all courses having been completed by physical on-site attendance in the country in which the school is chartered
• Passed the ECFMG certification exam or Fifth Pathway program
• Passed either the FLEX, USMLE, NBME, LMCC exams, or an acceptable combination of the exams in accordance with Oregon Administrative Rules
• Completed three years of clinical based postgraduate training in the U.S. or Canada in an accredited training program (see below for exceptions to this requirement) in no more than two specialties

A: For U.S. and Canadian graduates—One full year of accredited, postgraduate training in the U.S. or Canada is required to be considered eligible.
 
International Medical Graduates—Three full years of accredited, progressive, postgraduate training in not more than two specialties in not more than two training programs in the U.S. or Canada is required for eligibility.  The following is accepted in lieu of the three year requirement:

• Have valid certification issued by a specialty board recognized by either the American Board of Medical Specialties, or the American Osteopathic Association's Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists; or
• Successfully completed four years of practice in Oregon (or another state under a license substantially similar to the Board’s Limited License Medical Faculty—LLMF) under a LLMF in accordance with OAR 847-020-0140 (1) (b)-(c)

A: A copy of a Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Change of Name, Adoption, Divorce, etc., is required. If you were born in the U.S. or Canada, a copy of your Birth Certificate is required. You can contact the Department of Vital Statistics in your state of birth to request this certificate or you can order one from Vitalchek.com. Marriage certificates, or any other legal document indicating a change of name, are required if your name has ever changed. For applicants born in foreign countries that do not have a Birth Certificate, you must provide this information in writing and provide a copy of a Marriage Certificate, Passport, etc.Additional documents—such as a naturalization affidavit—may be required.
 

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A: You may download the application form by clicking here.  Please note:  Once you have accessed the application file, you may need to press the "Refresh" button in order for your browser to display the documents. If you still experience problems viewing these .pdf files, please visit the Adobe problem-solving site at www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/3d76.htm and search on "blank page". Please note that there are several other forms you must download.

A: Yes. Applications will not be processed without the proper application fee.  Application fees are nonrefundable.

A:  It takes approximately 8 - 12 weeks after submitting the application. This time will vary and may be longer depending upon how extensive the past work history is, how many licenses are held in other states, territories, districts or countries, etc.
 
Applications are processed in the order in which they are received.  Please give the Board staff time to do its job. You can speed the process by making sure you have read and followed directions and all supporting/supplemental documents are submitted to the Board as quickly as possible, in accordance with the directions.  When staff members are busy answering questions, they cannot be processing the applications.

A: It is your responsibility to request all required items for the application file and do the necessary follow-up if items are not received to complete your file.  It’s very important that you thoroughly review the following sections:

• Instructions
• Supplemental Forms
• Physician Licensure Checklist
• Documents To Be Submitted By Applicant
• Verifying Your Credentials section
• Disciplinary Inquiry forms

A: Yes.  An application is only valid for a 12 month period from the date of being received.  After 12 months you must submit a new application and filing fee as if applying for the first time.

A: The Board holds received documents for one year.  Documents are destroyed after one year if no application is received.

A: Licensure is approved on a weekly basis for applicants that have completed all application and registration requirements satisfactorily.  The Executive Director reviews and approves the application files every Friday and the license numbers are issued the same day; however, the license numbers are not posted on the website until the following Tuesday.
 
** PLEASE NOTE—If you have responded AFFIRMATIVELY to any personal history questions your file may be required to be reviewed by the Administrative Affairs Committee (AAC).  You will be notified in writing if your file requires review by the AAC and your application file must be complete prior to the deadlines listed below.  The AAC will later make a recommendation to the full Board.

A: If your file is not 100% complete, your file will be “bumped” into the next AAC/Board meeting dates for review.  Certain reports and verifications must be current (received within 90 days of the meeting), therefore some verification forms and reports must be re-submitted (i.e., present employment/staff, training, and state licensure verifications must be re-submitted as well as Federation, and NPDB/HIPDB reports).

A: Applications are only valid for 12 months.  Therefore, you should not apply for an Oregon medical license until 3 or 4 months prior to completing your post-graduate training if you attended a U.S. or Canadian medical school. 
 
International medical graduates must complete 3 years of accredited post-graduate training in the U.S. or Canada, but may apply prior to completion.  It is recommended that international medical graduates start the application process 5 months prior to allow time to obtain documents from overseas.

A:  See requirements below:

• Pathology: NO
• Teleradiology: NO
• Telemedicine: YES

A: Log on to www.oregon.gov/OMB, under “Applicants & Licensees” (located on the bottom, left of the page) click the link for Physician Application Status Reports, continue following the instructions.

A: These are standard statements in our database which mean that there are outstanding items that must be submitted by either the applicant or from the source.

• Physical Appearance of Application/Fingerprints—your fingerprint forms have not yet been received or the results from the Oregon State Police (OSP) and/or the FBI have not yet been returned or they were rejected.  It takes approximately two weeks for the OSP and/or FBI to complete the background search and return the results to the OMB and another couple of days to be entered into the database as being completed.  
• All pages not submitted—pages are missing from the application you submitted; this may also include your fingerprint card.  If application pages were missing, there would be detailed comments addressing that.

A: Affirmative responses may require additional review by the Administrative Affairs Committee (AAC).  If your file requires review by the AAC, you will be notified in writing which will also include deadline dates.  The AAC will make a recommendation to the full Board during a quarterly meeting the following month.

A: The exams are:

• United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
• National Board of Medical Examiners exam (NBME)
• National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners exam (NBOME)/COMLEX
• Federation Licensing Examination (FLEX)
• Approved combinations of the USMLE, NBME and FLEX
• Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC)
• National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners (NBPME)/PMLEXIS—all three parts of this exam are required for podiatrists

A: See requirements/guidelines below:

• This is acceptable if your average weighted score is AT LEAST 75
• State exams for Alaska, Florida, and Hawaii are NOT ACCEPTED
• FYI:      Most states ceased administering these exams around 1970

A:  Podiatrist must successfully pass the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners (NBPME) Part I, II.  Effective July 15, 2004, podiatrists who took the NBPME exam on or after January 1, 1987 must also pass the NBPME III, or have previously passed PMLEXIS (which is now NBPME Part III).  

A: See requirements below:

• USMLE Steps 1 and 2 - there is currently no limit to the number of attempts.
• USMLE Step 3 must be passed within four attempts

 

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A: Any applicant who fails a third attempt on Step 3 must do one of the following:

• Successfully complete one full year of Board approved training prior to making a fourth attempt
• Obtain current certification by a specialty board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association's Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists

A:  All three Steps of USMLE must be passed within 7-years

A:  A waiver may only be requested/granted if the applicant:

• Participated in a dual-degree MD/PhD or DO/PhD program
• Attended continuous post-graduate training with the equivalent number of years to an MD/DO/PhD program
• Suffered from a documented, personal illness which by its severity would necessarily cause a delay in medical training
• Has current certification by a specialty board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or the American Osteopathic Association's Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists

These are the only waivers in accordance with Oregon Administrative Rules.
 
If you request a waiver you will be required to submit evidentiary documentation and your file may have to be reviewed by the Administrative Affairs Committee (AAC).  This may significantly change your deadline dates and may delay your application process.

 

*AAC DEADLINE DATES
Date File Must Be Complete	AAC Meeting Date	Board Meeting Date
February 1, 2008	March 12, 2008	April 11, 2008
May 1, 2008	June 11, 2008	July 11, 2008
August 1, 2008	September 10, 2008	October 17, 2008
November 3, 2008	December 10, 2008	January 16, 2009

A: The SPEX exam is essentially a competency exam that tests “general” medical knowledge. 

You may be required to take and pass the SPEX exam IF:

• You have ceased the practice of medicine or your specialty for longer than 12 months
• You have NOT been Board certified/recertified (in a specialty recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties and is NOT a “self-designated” board) in the last 10 years
• You have not completed an accredited training program within the last 10 years
  

If you receive a “SPEX NOTICE” from this Board, it means you may be required to take and pass the SPEX exam prior to licensure.
 
NOTE—Ceasing the practice of medicine refers to “CLINICAL MEDICINE.”  Administrative and educational positions (i.e., medical director, teaching faculty in a medical school) are NOT considered to be “clinical medicine.” 

A: A physician may request a waiver based upon submitted CME documentation for the last 3 years; however, you will be expected to take and pass the SPEX exam if you do not request a waiver.  All waiver requests are reviewed on a case by case basis, must be reviewed by the AAC (please refer to AAC deadline dates listed above), and may be denied.  
 
NOTE—REQUESTING A WAIVER WILL SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGE COMPLETION DEADLINE DATES.  Depending on when you submit your application, the deadline may have already passed and you will not be eligible for review until the following quarterly meeting.  You will be notified in writing of all deadline dates and any changes thereafter.

A: This is a subject that the Board takes very seriously.  If you have not practiced medicine for two years or longer you should be prepared to submit a plan for re-entry into the medical profession.  The plan you submit should be very detailed and comprehensive for review by the Board (and/or a subcommittee of the Board) during a quarterly meeting.  The Board will review all application materials as well as the re-entry plan which may be amended, accepted, or denied.
 
Re-entry plans should address how and who will evaluate your current medical knowledge/skills; how you will address any deficits observed in the evaluation; how, when, and where you intend to obtain training, etc.  Below are examples of what may be included in the plan:

• Evaluation and training with the Center for Personalized Education for Physicians (CPEP— http://www.cpepdoc.org/ ) program
• Completing a structured training program such as an internship or residency
• Take and pass the SPEX exam
• Board certification/recertification in an approved specialty/sub-specialty recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)

 
There are some programs designed to evaluate and either re-train, or suggest a training plan, for physicians that have not practiced medicine for extended periods of time.  Below is a list with contact info:

• Center for Personalized Education for Physicians (CPEP)

7351 Lowry Blvd, Ste 100
Denver, CO 80230
(303)577-3232
http://www.cpepdoc.org/

• UCSD Physician Assessment and Clinical Education Program (PACE)

UCSD Medical Center
200 West Arbor Drive
Mail Code 8204
San Diego, California 92103-8204
 
Mailing Address:
 
UCSD PACE Program
1899 McKee Street, #126
San Diego, CA92110
(619) 543-6770
ucpace@ucsd.edu
http://www.paceprogram.ucsd.edu/

• Oregon Health & Science University

3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Rd.
Portland, Oregon 97239-3098
Richard Allen, MD, Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical Education, OHSU
(503)494-2572
Frank Dornfest, MD, Adjunct Associate Professor and Clinic Director of OHSU
Family Medicine at Gabriel Park
(503)494-9992

For more information regarding these programs, you should contact them directly.
 
The Board must review and approve all re-entry plans prior to the applicant actually starting the plan.

A: You must submit the following reports:

• National Practitioner Data Bank/Health Integrity and Protection Data Bank (NPDB/HIPDB)—Self-Query run within 60 days of submitting application —this will be delivered to the applicant who must then forward all pages (do not keep any pages) of the report to this Board
• Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB)—Board Action Data Bank Inquiry—direct from source

A: You may call (800) 767-6732 or visit their website at
http://www.npdb-hipdb.com/welcomesq.html

The Self-Query is mailed to you and you must forward ALL pages to this Board.  DO NOT KEEP ANY PORTION OF THE REPORT.

A: MD/DO—you may use the form available directly from the FSMB site at
http://www.fsmb.org/fpdc_data_inquiry.html

Or you may use the OMB’s form available at: 
http://egov.oregon.gov/OMB/MD-DO_Application/Disciplinary_Inquires.pdf

Complete the form and mail to the FSMB:

Disciplinary Inquiries
Federation of State Medical Boards
P.O. Box 619850
Dallas , TX 75261 -9850

DPM— you may use the form available directly from the FSMB site at 

https://www.fpmb.org/orderreports/

• Make sure to click the box to request Disciplinary Reports

Or you may use the OMB’s form available at: 
http://egov.oregon.gov/OMB/MD-DO_Application/Disciplinary_Inquires.pdf

Complete the form and mail to the FPMB at:

Federation of Podiatric Medical Boards
6551 Malta Drive
Boynton Beach , Florida 33437
(561) 752-3735

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4. Q: What is the Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS) and is it required?

A: The FCVS is a service provided by the FSMB that gathers information and verifications of core credentials to be kept on file for use by state medical boards and other organizations.  This Board accepts the portfolio from this service in lieu of some of the Board's application process.  However, the FCVS portfolio is NOT REQUIRED.  The information received from FCVS does not include all items required by the Oregon Board.

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A: All of the following must be “ORIGINAL”:

• Verifications (state licensure, training, medical school, employment/staff membership)
• Exam scores (USMLE, NBME, NBOME, FLEX, NBPME, etc.)
• ECFMG Certification Status Report
• Translations—we need an original, meaning not a photocopy, as well as a copy of the document in the foreign language (take the document to a translation service or language department at a university, have it translated and have them stamp/seal and sign the document with name and title and/or translator number)
•  All disciplinary reports
  • Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) Board Action Data Bank Inquiry
  • National Practitioner Data Bank/Health Integrity and Protection Data Bank (NPDB/HIPDB Self-Query)
    • The NPDB/HIPDB is actually sent to you, the applicant, and you must forward the entire contents of the envelope to the Oregon Board—the two reports are in the same envelope and appear identical

A: You will need to submit the following documents which may be photocopies and do not need to be notarized (written or typed responses/explanations to personal history questions, etc., should be signed and the original sent to this Board):

• Birth Certificate—ALL U.S and Canadian born applicants must submit a Birth Certificate issued by a state DOH or Dept. of Vital Statistics (birth certificates can be ordered at www.vitalchek.com )
• Marriage Certificate/Divorce Decree
• Court ordered name change
• Copy of passport (if there is a name discrepancy between the name on the application and birth certificate)
• MD Diploma
• American Board Certificates (if certified)

A: If you are a naturalized citizen, you must do the following:

• Complete the Naturalization Affidavit (carefully read the instructions on the form)
  • Web form available at
  http://www.oregon.gov/OMB/MD-DO_Application/naturalization.pdf
  
  
• Take your Naturalization Certificate, Passport, and completed Affidavit form to a notary to have the Affidavit notarized
• Submit the Affidavit and a photocopy of your passport to this Board
• Other options may be presented by the Board

IMPORTANT:    It is illegal to photocopy your Naturalization Certificate and cannot be accepted by this Board

A: No.  All documents submitted must be in English.  If your documents are in any other language you must have them translated into English and submit both the original translation and a photocopy of the document in the foreign language. 

A: If a training or employment/staff membership location has closed, been sold, or changed names, please provide this information to the Board in writing. The following may be required for the various circumstances:

• Sold/Changed Names—contact the location to request the required verification information.  The staff must also include details regarding sale dates, and previous and current business names.  If no information is available, they must state why (i.e., “Happy Hospital was sold to Healthy Medical Group in 5/99 and all physician records prior to 5/98 have been archived and are unavailable unless the physician remained on staff”).
  
• Closed—try to locate and contact a former director or supervisor who can provide the required information.  Or, for employment/staff if you cannot contact anyone, you may be required to have three peer physicians from the local area of the practice during that time write letters of reference on your behalf and submit them directly to this Board.   

• Suspension of privileges or reprimanded
• Academic probation
• State board action / investigation / reprimand / letter of concern / etc.
• DUII, Drug/Alcohol, or mental/physical health issues

A: You must submit your own signed explanation (this should not be an attorney’s summary or a statement written by a second party regardless of affiliation) to include, but not be limited to, details such as dates, circumstances, and final outcome.  Additionally, you must request the information as indicated for each case below:

• Suspension/Reprimand/Probation—You must contact the facility/location involved and request it to send a statement and any documentation to include details regarding the issue directly to this Board.
  
• DUII/Arrest/Conviction—If you were arrested and/or convicted, regardless of offense, you must request the law enforcement agency send copies of the arresting officer’s report and related documents directly to this Board.  You must also have the court send copies of all related court documents directly to this Board.  If the agency or court no longer has the records, they must submit a statement regarding this issue.
  
• Drug/Alcohol/Mental/Physical Health—You must have any treatment facility or physician involved send copies directly to this Board of your records including but not limited to your history, evaluation, treatment, current condition, and a statement regarding your ability to practice medicine.  This includes any physical health condition that has impaired your ability to practice medicine or your specialty.