PROPOSED RULES
(Medical Quality Assurance Commission)
Original Notice.
Exempt from preproposal statement of inquiry under RCW 34.05.310(4).
Title of Rule: WAC 246-919-340 International medical school graduates.
Purpose: This rule outlines additional requirements for applicants who have graduated from a medical school outside of the United States or Canada.
Other Identifying Information: This rule was a result of a rule review completed by staff as a result of Executive Order 97-02.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.71.017 and 18.71.050.
Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 18.71 RCW.
Summary: The proposal will simplify and improve existing language by eliminating unnecessary words and legalese. The proposed language does not add new requirements for licensure.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: This rule needs to be amended to clearly outline the requirements for international graduates. Improving the clarity of the rule will reduce the staff time required to respond to applicant inquiries.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Beverly A. Teeter, Health Administrator, 1300 S.E. Quince Street, Olympia, WA, (360) 236-4788; and Enforcement: Maryella Jansen, Acting Executive Director, 1300 S.E. Quince Street, Olympia, WA, (360) 236-4789.
Name of Proponent: Medical Quality Assurance Commission and Department of Health, governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The proposal is in response to the many calls the staff receives from international graduates who ask what the existing rules mean. The proposed amendment is to clarify the additional requirements for international graduates to be licensed in the state of Washington. The anticipated effects will be to reduce the many calls for explanation from international graduates.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: Existing rules pertaining to international graduates additional requirements were written with too much legalese and extremely confusing for those international graduates. This will be a clear and concise rule.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This proposed language is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(3) and 34.05.310(4) because the change is merely clarification and does not make new requirements.
RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. This rule does not change requirements for licensure, just rewritten to be clear and concise.
Hearing Location: Phoenix Inn, 415 Capitol Way North, Olympia Room, Olympia, WA 98501, on July 11, 2001, at 7:00 p.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Beverly A. Teeter by June 30, 2001, TDD (800) 833-6388, or (360) 236-4788.
Submit Written Comments to: Beverly A. Teeter, fax (360) 586-4573, by July 6, 2001.
Date of Intended Adoption: July 11, 2001.
May 22, 2001
M. C. Selecky
Secretary
Maryella E. Jansen
Acting Executive Director
OTS-4814.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 96-03-073, filed 1/17/96,
effective 2/17/96)
WAC 246-919-340
Additional requirements for international
medical school graduates.
All graduates of medical schools
outside the United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico must have
either:
(1) ((Except in unusual circumstances, which shall be
considered individually by the commission, all graduates of
international medical schools who were not)) Been licensed in
another state prior to 1958 ((must have obtained the certificate
granted by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical
Graduates (ECFMG) or must qualify for exemption as provided for
in other sections of these rules and regulations.));
(2) ((A United States citizen or resident alien who has
obtained his medical education in a medical school outside the
United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico shall be eligible for
licensure in the state of Washington if he or she has satisfied
the following requirements:
(a) Has completed all of the formal academic requirements for graduation from a medical school outside the United States, provided that such medical school provides a resident course of professional instruction equivalent to that required under RCW 18.71.055 for approval of United States and Canadian schools. An internship and/or social service in an international country shall not be considered to be a part of the formal academic requirements;
(b) Has successfully completed one academic year of supervised clinical training in a program approved by the commission. Approval of such program shall be based on the following requirements:
(i) The program shall be sponsored by a United States medical school approved by the commission;
(ii) The school must provide supervision equivalent to that given undergraduate medical students;
(iii) Admission to such a program shall be contingent upon review of the applicant's academic achievement, completion of the formal academic curriculum of the international medical school, and the attainment of a score satisfactory to the medical school in a qualifying examination acceptable to the commission such as Part 1 of the National Board examination, or day-1 of FLEX examination, or the ECFMG examination;
(iv) The program must include experience in each of the major clinical disciplines;
(c) Has completed the postgraduate clinical hospital training required by the commission of all applicants for licensure; and
(d) Has passed the examination required by the commission of all applicants for licensure.
(3) Satisfaction of the requirements of subsection (2) of this section shall substitute for the completion of any international internship and/or social service required by the international medical school or government as a condition to the awarding of a medical degree or licensure, and no such requirements shall be a condition of licensure as a physician in this state.
(4) Certification by the ECFMG shall not be a condition of licensure as a physician in this state for candidates who have successfully completed the requirements of subsection (2) of this section.
(5) All persons issued a license to practice medicine and surgery by the medical quality assurance commission shall possess all the rights and privileges thereof, including the use of the title "doctor of medicine" and the initials "M.D."
(6) Graduates of international medical schools who do not qualify for licensure under these rules and regulations will be required to meet the rules previously adopted by the commission)) Obtained a certificate with an indefinite status granted by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG); or
(3) Successfully completed one year of supervised academic clinical training in the United States, commonly referred to as a Fifth Pathway program.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.71.017 and 18.71A.020. 96-03-073, § 246-919-340, filed 1/17/96, effective 2/17/96.]