Residence question

[pacemaker101]

Can anyone give me an opinion on practicing (anything) in the state of washington. Im a canadian from vancouver going to saba in may 2004.
Ive heard lots about CA, KS, NJ, etc being terrible to license/res in, but just wanted to have an insight on WA (nobody ever talk about this state being easy or hard). thanks

[Ferrarijp]

This website was found in an earlier post under the "State Licensing Info" forum: https://wws2.wa.gov/doh/hpqa-licensing/HPS5/Medical/physician_eli.htm

Eligibility Requirements for Foreign Medical Graduates

· MD Degree or equivalent (MBBS, etc);

· 2 years of post graduate medical training accredited by the United States Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) – unless you graduated from medical school prior to July 28, 1985 then only one year is required;

· successful completion of a national licensure examination: National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), Federation of State Medical Boards Examination (FLEX), United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), or the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC); and

· a standard certificate designated “valid indefinitely” from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) – in place of the ECFMG certification, successful completion of a Fifth Pathway Program or licensure prior to 1958 in the United States.

It doesn't sound difficult at all.

[ResearchingGuy]

One of the best students in my class is from Washington. He plans to go back and practice there. He seems to have checked it out pretty well, so I would concur with Ferrarijp's view (BTW good work on the info with url and all! :D ).

A good, practical point is that you can be licensed after only two years of Residency. You can Moonlight during Third year and start paying off those loans (or buying that Porsche).

Best of luck!