Online classes and state licensure

[neilc]

in a recent thread, there was some discussion as to whether a graduate of an online basic science program would be able to gain licensure in the USA. in response to the OP's challenge, i sent the following email to nearly every state medical board. (i carefully worded it to avoid bias, and i avoided mentioning specific schools. i made it clear that if these practices were legal, i was fine with it...)

>Greetings!
>
>I am writing this email to obtain information pertaining medical licensing
>for international medical graduates.
>
>I have been made aware that some offshore medical schools offer the basic
>science portion of a students medical education to be completed on-line. I
>am interested in learning if your states would recognize any graduates from
>a school that offers on-line, internet or distance based education.
>
>Additionally, I have been made aware that some students of these programs
>may currently be working in teaching hospitals within the USA. And some
>graduates may be in residency programs in the states. If this is legal, than
>I have no problem. However, my concern is that some of these schools may be
>offering vague or misleading transcripts, and some graduates may not be
>disclosing that they completed basic sciences online.
>
>My questions are simple:
>1) do you accept online, internet based or distance learning medical
>education for licensure of international medical graduates?
>2) do you allow students of these schools to work in your state's hospitals?
>3) do you accept graduates of these programs into your state's graduate
>medical education (residency or fellowship) programs?
>
>
>If you are concerned about whether your state has any of these students, I
>would be happy to provide you with a list of schools that offer this
>curriculum.
>
>Thank you for your time and attention, and I look forward to your reply.

i will be posting all the replies, condensed to simple answers in order to avoid extensive editing. basically, i will answer the questions as to whether 1) licensure, 2) residency and 3) medical students doing rotations are allowed in these states if you completed online basic science curriculum.

hopefully this will provide good information for all of you attending or considering these type of schools)

(methods: i retrieved email addresses from the fsmb.org website specific for licensing information whenever possible. if that was not possible, i sent it to the general inquiries email. if there was no email available, i did not pursue it any further.)

[neilc]

Virginia:
1) requires physical attendance for basic science on campus for licensure
2) the board doesn't set requirements for residents
3) the board doesn't set requirements for students

[neilc]

North Dakota:

1) no online classes recognized for licensure
2) no board jurisdiction to residents
3) no board jurisdiction to med studs

[neilc]

utah:

1) ecfmg certification is all they require, CAN get licensure (but the board MAY be addressing this in the future)
2) ok for residency if ECFMG certified
3) up to teach hospitals for med studs

[neilc]

minnesota:

1) look at the NCMEA list, as well as length of time the school has existed. have not evaluated an online student yet, but without the above, licensure is unlikely
2) residents not evaluated by board
3) med studs not evaluated by board

[neilc]

Missouri:

1) does not accept online coursework for licensure
2) does not regulate residency
3) does not regulate med studs

[neilc]

Alaska:

requested a list of schools, and stated the board is looking into the matter in the next couple of days

[Aviv Imanuel]

I read it carefully and frankly I think it addresses the issue the same way any reasonable person would have addressed it.

And Neil knows I have disagreed with him before.








in a recent thread, there was some discussion as to whether a graduate of an online basic science program would be able to gain licensure in the USA. in response to the OP's challenge, i sent the following email to nearly every state medical board. (i carefully worded it to avoid bias, and i avoided mentioning specific schools. i made it clear that if these practices were legal, i was fine with it...)

>Greetings!
>
>I am writing this email to obtain information pertaining medical licensing
>for international medical graduates.
>
>I have been made aware that some offshore medical schools offer the basic
>science portion of a students medical education to be completed on-line. I
>am interested in learning if your states would recognize any graduates from
>a school that offers on-line, internet or distance based education.
>
>Additionally, I have been made aware that some students of these programs
>may currently be working in teaching hospitals within the USA. And some
>graduates may be in residency programs in the states. If this is legal, than
>I have no problem. However, my concern is that some of these schools may be
>offering vague or misleading transcripts, and some graduates may not be
>disclosing that they completed basic sciences online.
>
>My questions are simple:
>1) do you accept online, internet based or distance learning medical
>education for licensure of international medical graduates?
>2) do you allow students of these schools to work in your state's hospitals?
>3) do you accept graduates of these programs into your state's graduate
>medical education (residency or fellowship) programs?
>
>
>If you are concerned about whether your state has any of these students, I
>would be happy to provide you with a list of schools that offer this
>curriculum.
>
>Thank you for your time and attention, and I look forward to your reply.

i will be posting all the replies, condensed to simple answers in order to avoid extensive editing. basically, i will answer the questions as to whether 1) licensure, 2) residency and 3) medical students doing rotations are allowed in these states if you completed online basic science curriculum.

hopefully this will provide good information for all of you attending or considering these type of schools)

(methods: i retrieved email addresses from the fsmb.org website specific for licensing information whenever possible. if that was not possible, i sent it to the general inquiries email. if there was no email available, i did not pursue it any further.)

[neilc]

I read it carefully and frankly I think it addresses the issue the same way any reasonable person would have addressed it.

And Neil knows I have disagreed with him before.

thank you max. i do try to be reasonable, even though i may be a stubborn and opinionated bastard.

i tried very carefully to write an unbiased letter that was very direct. i didn't want to create an issue where there wasn't one, but i wanted clear and honest answers to the important question of licensabilty.

[microphage]

Dude... if you have THAT much time on your hands, why not come here and do some scutwork for me?

[neilc]

Dude... if you have THAT much time on your hands, why not come here and do some scutwork for me?

hell no. i did my scutwork already, fool! well, at least until july 1.

ahhhh...the benefits of being a graduate. i only work 40-50 hours a week now. i don't know what to do with myself! :D

[microphage]

hell no. i did my scutwork already, fool! well, at least until july 1.

ahhhh...the benefits of being a graduate. i only work 40-50 hours a week now. i don't know what to do with myself! :D

so out of plain curosity, where do you work now? In healthcare? Research?

I mean, applying to Best Buy with an MD on your resume is just.... hilarious. Imagine if people who came to you asking you for which speakers to buy also asks you about this "rash" they have.... :twisted:

[neilc]

so out of plain curosity, where do you work now? In healthcare? Research?

I mean, applying to Best Buy with an MD on your resume is just.... hilarious. Imagine if people who came to you asking you for which speakers to buy also asks you about this "rash" they have.... :twisted:

hahahaha! let me tell you, it was tough to fill the void between graduation and residency.

but, before med schoo (and during my rare time off) i was an EMT and medical assistant. i got in touch with some of the docs i worked with and they hooked me up with an MA job in a clinic. basic work, sorta decent pay (better than best buy) and keeps me involved clinically. they keep me on my toes knowledge and skills-wise, and i get paid and get to live at home for free, so i can have some starting cash for july 1.

i would have prefered to finish closer to my start date, but it is sorta like a long summer break. and, i get to take 2 vacations, which i have a feeling i will look back on in the not too distant future with longing...

[neilc]

NC:

1) each application is reviewed by the board to assess "adequate medical education". no wording yet as far as online curriculum, but may be added soon.

asked for a list of online schools as well.

[neilc]

Vermont:

1) uses the CA list, so no online schools (or any other non-CA approved school) for anything

[neilc]

TN:

1) specifically prohibits online education, and mandates physical attendence for licensure.

[jpryor]

TN:

1) specifically prohibits online education, and mandates physical attendence for licensure.

I have a friend who will be practicing in TN and spoke with their board. They even count the actual hours spent in Basic Sciences! That's the toughest I've heard of, yet!

[neilc]

I have a friend who will be practicing in TN and spoke with their board. They even count the actual hours spent in Basic Sciences! That's the toughest I've heard of, yet!

i am being surprised both ways...some states you think would take anyone you can get, and are strict, while other states seem to be more able to regulate, but have less regulations! all states do seem to leave themselves an escape clause, though, by saying that if they don't have the wording in the legislation, they do have the power to evaluate and reject on a case by case basis.

can you imagine being a few hours short on a class like biochem? each minute was torture enough as it was. what a buzzkill that would be

[jpryor]

can you imagine being a few hours short on a class like biochem? each minute was torture enough as it was. what a buzzkill that would be

Exactly!! TN has people on their board who must have seen every trick, as they stated that they even check passports to ensure that a student COULD have been present during scheduled classes. One saving factor was an assumption that school was adjourned on Thanksgiving. It wasn't, so that gained back some class hours.

They're tough.

[neilc]

OR:

must physically attend, no online credit accepted

[neilc]

KS: no online credit accepted, asked for a list of schools

Tx: no

Ca: no

[AUCMD2006]

they know how to count in TN? they must outsource to India..hehe

[neilc]

NV

very emphatic NO to licensure, students or residents with online basic science. asked for list of schools providing this education

[OLDPRO]

On another website students ready to go to ON Line Basic Sci Med school and kept asking why is it bad? Uni's have online classes, OMG How many times do you have to tell people you have to physically go to class what a lazy society we have now!

[leadsled]

So what states or territories in the USA accept online basic sciences??

[jrosenberg]

Did you get any info in Maryland, Washington, DC or Virginia? Thanks!

[jojo07]

r we talking about undergrad or Md degree

[dmshahbaz]

hello, is there any body who will guide me that how i can get lisence as a doctor in Europian union countries,i am graduated doctor in medisine and surgery from pakistan and have now norwegian passport and want to do jobb in europian country for one year.Thanking in anticipation