The Colorado License Runaround

[md_hell_or_high_water]

Ok, so I contacted the Colorado board of licensing and am still getting the runaround. Any insight to what she means would be helpful, and this IS straight from the horse's mouth (with no names, just in case).

Mrs. ____,

I wrote you an e-mail earlier concerning St. Matthew's University and obtaining physician licensure in Colorado. I just wanted to ask you one more question. How easy is it to obtain licensure if I went to St. George's University in Grenada compared to St. Matthew's? Are they about equal, or is there no problem with getting a license attending St. George's? Also if I went to St. Matthew's and became licensed in another state (like New York) what is the probability that I would be granted an unrestricted physician license in CO? Ok, so it was more than one question, but I just want to make the best decision for my future. Thank you VERY much for your help and I hope that your week is proceeding nicely.

Josh

Dear Josh,

St. George's University in Grenada is on the Board's list
of questionable medical schools for applicants that have
graduated after 2004.

Graduating from a questionable medical school and obtaining
a license in another state first is not the issue. The issue
is the medical school and if it is on the questionable list
or not.

Sincerely,

[ut_cougar]

for some reason they don't like SGU...not sure why? in other words, there is a chance, if not proved or something isnt perfect they will deny licensure...but if everything is perfect, you prove them wrong as to what they think is wrong, etc then you should be able to get licensed.

[md_hell_or_high_water]

So I finally got a straight repsonse from these crazy people. Here goes:

Dear Josh,

Incorrect. Allow me to explain.

If you obtain an unrestricted medical license in another state,
that does not concern this Board nor is it beneficial.

The issue for you to become licensed in Colorado is as follows:

1. Graduated from an approved medical school.

In the alternative, if you graduate from a medical school that is
on the Board's list of questionable medical schools - then you must
become board certified and then present to the Board or you must provide your clinical rotations and evaluations, along with your
residency rotations and their recommendations to our Board.

2. Passed either the FLEX examination or the USMLE (all three steps
must be passed within seven years) and

3. Completed three years' of postgraduate training at an approved
accredited ACGME/AOA training program in the United States or Canada.

I hope this clarifies.

[billydoc]

So I finally got a straight repsonse from these crazy people. Here goes:

Dear Josh,

Incorrect. Allow me to explain.

If you obtain an unrestricted medical license in another state,
that does not concern this Board nor is it beneficial.

The issue for you to become licensed in Colorado is as follows:

1. Graduated from an approved medical school.

In the alternative, if you graduate from a medical school that is
on the Board's list of questionable medical schools - then you must
become board certified and then present to the Board or you must provide your clinical rotations and evaluations, along with your
residency rotations and their recommendations to our Board.

2. Passed either the FLEX examination or the USMLE (all three steps
must be passed within seven years) and

3. Completed three years' of postgraduate training at an approved
accredited ACGME/AOA training program in the United States or Canada.

I hope this clarifies.

Hey Josh! It looks like they've CO board) punched some holes in the "All 50 States" mantra of "Big 3" and another "Small" one. I think it leaves you with some questions at best, although things that they are asking for won't be difficult to provide either from SMU or from SGU. But what they tell you now, and what you may be faced with in reality (including $200K+ in debt) whe you're done is a different story. Look at all your options carefully. It seems as though "Big 3" + "Small 1" are still reminded about their IMG status. My advise to you if CO is so important to you, then just suck it up, and get at least into U.S D.O school, if U.S allopathic is no go for You.

Good Luck

[md_hell_or_high_water]

Many people have told me to go the D.O. route but I have a hard time with going this way when I don't believe in the D.O. theory. I just don't want to compromise the way I view medicine to practice in a certain state. If I can practice in just one state (minus Alaska) in the US after attending SMU, then my dream has been fulfilled.

[ol' man]

Most DO's I know dont do the manipulation anyway. Go DO and ignore the manipulations once you get into practice if you dont agree with it. But for God's sake, if you can stay in the US, STAY THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[emt036]

Shows how up-to-date the CO Med Board is: the FLEX hasn't existed for a number of years now...

[miasma]

plus, the CO board didn't say you couldn't get licensed. you just have to meet the requirements.

[ol' man]

plus, the CO board didn't say you couldn't get licensed. you just have to meet the requirements.
Absolutely. Which puts all the Caribbean schools more or less on "equal" footing there, doesn't it?

[md_hell_or_high_water]

To become board certified I have to be licensed in a state right? How exactly does the board certification work? Do I get certifed by the American Board of Surgery, for example?

[###]

.............

[rokshana]

its probably similar to the Texas Board's method too- SGU is on their unaccrediated school list as it every other caribbean school except ross)- but that doesn't mean you can't get licensed in the state, you just have to jump some hoops- its case by case.

Why don't you ask the respective schools to put you in contact with a grad practicing in Colo. - I know with sgu you just need to call bayshore- and then they can tell you 1st hand what is required.

[ASIANDOC]

that's what I been saying for long time,being approved in one state like CA does not guarantees the blessing of the other states and when individuals sent articles to state boards telling them SGU banned in ID or other schools not good some state boards will question the education of ALL carribeans not only few. SGU in my opinion far better than most international schools in education and clinicals and no one should place such great school on the questionable list,that's unfair and discriminatory attitude.
on the other hand CO med board are smart because they will license you if completed 3 yrs and BC[just like NM] and that is reasonable approach not blind decision saying even if you win the noble prize will continue to disrespect you.
so when some keep saying to others "you should have gone to approve school" that is not the issue,the real is we all should unite to achieve one thing:to be treated equally with other international grads based only and only on qualifications[like good premed GPA,good USMLE scores,good residency,BC] and not punished all as a group.
personal opinion

[ed gee]

No, it shows that they are aware that there are IMGs that passed the FLEX years ago and might pursue a license in CO.

Shows how up-to-date the CO Med Board is: the FLEX hasn't existed for a number of years now...

[emt036]

No, it shows that they are aware that there are IMGs that passed the FLEX years ago and might pursue a license in CO.
If someone took the FLEX and hasn't gotten a license to practice by now, what have they been doing all these years? Certainly not paying off their loans, which must be in default by now. :-)

[pruritis_ani]

If someone took the FLEX and hasn't gotten a license to practice by now, what have they been doing all these years? Certainly not paying off their loans, which must be in default by now. :-)

They are merely saying the recognize the FLEX as an exam. What about Dr. Joe Blow who has been working in Idaho for the last 25 years. Now he wants to move to CO. He still has to demonstrate that he passed a test (remember, reciprocity typically means squat) and graduated med school.

All the states have this wording in the laws. It simply means that doctors that were around before the USMLE can get a license if they took the FLEX.

[AUCMD2006]

OMM is a minor part of the curriculum and a minor annoyance. Believe me, if DOs were substantially differernt, they would not be allowed into allo residencies. As ol man suggests, you can safely ignore this once you graduate. I think your concerns about licensure may lead you with a lifetime of problems whereas a few OMM classes are only represent a short-term annoyance.

most DO's don't practice OMM because its not a billable procedure in HMO and PPO contracts. They will pay for a chiro to do it though so anyone that needs some adjustments gets a chiro referral. OMM works but if you don't get paid for it why spend the time?

[ASIANDOC]

Many time we hear here advise from "the self appointed expertson this forum " telling others you should go to the schools that is approved in all 50 states,after reading state board minutes and messages among other info I concluded that no such school in the carribean approved in all 50 states,if you escape California and get approved as a school then Texas does not list any carribean school except Ross on the approval list,Tennassee trying to create special rules,Colorado puts all carribeans schools on the questionable list,Indiana grade school as may be approved[like Ross,SGU...etc],questionable like SABA,disapproved like SMU,Idaho wants you to practice for 5 yrs elsewhere before applying and the list goes on.....I am so glad a group of people created the international med org[carribean schools org] so some organized influential group can fight such sterotyping because the rules becomes rediculious and such rules has nothing to do with public protections,after all Californiaequality advise to express our opinion and seek equality in all states was realistic one.

[LastDance]

wow.. this is news for me... i did not know st. george is on the questionable list for colorado? is that true for ross and auc as well?? also idaho wants img's to practice for 5 years before applying for licensure?? that is harsh...

[MDXRS22]

I did not know about that either.
Wow! I thought the big four were untouchable to the last drop.

[MDXRS22]

I did not know about that either.
Wow! I thought the big four were untouchable to the last drop.