By the way... are you aware that even though it is not written.. Oklahoma has reciprocity with texas if you practice there for 2 years. This was put into effect because of a number of rural docs that had to cross state lines in order to cover the patient population.

....... not all that is written is law

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....Life in the key of Eb

as far as the fsmb thing... it would never fly ... US grads just dont want to go to places like montana, ohio and alot of the southern states.... these places are trying to get more docs... not send them away.

Until US med schools can increase admission and fill the gap .. it just wont happen.

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....Life in the key of Eb

why do you think texas lightened up on its residency laws. They want to see how these students perform and are severly lacking docs in the rural areas ... especially now with increasing hispanic population from across the border and katrina evacuees.

I interviewed at 7 places in TX ... one place offered me a prematch but i wanted to try my luck at IM. I had several of the programs check with the board and all of them said as a St. Chris grad i would be fine to do my residency there.

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....Life in the key of Eb

well, i doubt this is the case in all states. i agree that certain states will always have a higher need for docs, and these specific states may (key word,may) be less likely to adopt higher standards.

but, even if a very few states make it more difficult for IMG's from certain schools to get a license, those affected schools are much more limited. examples are CA, TX and NY. imagine if you couldn't work or apply for residency in all of these states? that is a very large percentage of residency spots.

i can see your optimism, and what it is based on. but, for every positive assumption you make, there is an equally convincing negative alternative. the point being that we do not know, nor will we likely be good at guessing what may happen. the safest route is the established route. expecting laws to change for your benefit is the wrong expectation to have when choosing a med school. just look at NJ law, and st chris. they expected and hoped for a change in law that never took place. now the state is still a question mark.

again, a st chris grad was recently REJECTED for a training license in texas. this was after he/she was offered a position. so, the residency program is not the last word. i am unaware of any "easing" of laws in texas for residency. i know new mexico used to use the CA list, but i don't recall texas doing it. perhaps you have your states confused. getting a residency license in TX is relatively easy, and has been as long as i have heard about it. but, a perm license is a whole different story. and, when texas has already rejected one of your grads, i would truly hesitate to think of it as a sure thing.

anyhow, this discussion is getting pretty circular. i personally choose to rely on the written law, as that is what most people live by. i admire your optimism, but would still recommend students avoid your school like the plague until the problems are resolved. best of luck with your residency search.

This discussion is too good to ignore, the kind that I like, so I will join the party without invitation.

People that make a living out of loopholes will find that Texas law is fascinating. For my surprise, most people that come across this forum really believe that Texas is the end of the world for any IMG. Lets take a closer look at the law (and try to look less at rumors, hearsay, personal opinions, etc).

163.3. Licensure for Graduates of Acceptable Unapproved Foreign Medical Schools.
To be eligible for licensure, an applicant who is a graduate from a school outside the United States or Canada must:

(1) be 21 years of age;
(2) be of good professional character as defined under §163.1(10) of this title;
(3) have completed 60 semester hours of college courses as defined under §163.1(12) of this title;
(4) be a graduate of an acceptable unapproved medical school as defined under §163.1(2) of this title;
(5) have successfully completed a three-year training program of graduate medical training in the United States or Canada as defined under §163.1(15) of this title;
(6) submit evidence of passing an examination accepted by the board for licensure as defined under §163.1(9) of this title;
(7) pass the Texas Medical Jurisprudence Examination with a score of 75 or better within three attempts;
(9) possess a valid certificate issued by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG);
(10) have the ability to communicate in the English language; and
(11) have supplied all additional information that the board may require concerning the applicant's medical school.

NOW SOME NEEDED DEFINITIONS:

(2) Acceptable unapproved medical school – A school or college located outside the United States or Canada that:

(A) is substantially equivalent to a Texas medical school; and
(B) has not been disapproved by another state physician licensing agency unless the applicant can provide evidence that the disapproval was unfounded.

(2) Unique Documentation. The board may request documentation unique to an individual unapproved medical school and additional documentation as needed to verify completion of medical education that is substantially equivalent to a Texas medical school education. This may include but is not limited to:

(A) a copy of the applicant's ECFMG file;
(B) a copy of other states' licensing files;
(C) copies of the applicant's clinical clerkship evaluations; and
(D) a copy of the applicant's medical school file.

(3) Certificate of Registration. Each applicant must provide a copy of his or her certificate to practice in the country in which his or her medical school is located. If a certificate is unavailable, a letter submitted directly to this board from the body governing licensure of physicians in the country in which the school is located, will be accepted. The letter must state that the applicant has met all the requirements for licensure in the country in which the school is located. If an applicant is not licensed in the country of graduation due to a citizenship requirement, a letter attesting to this, submitted directly to this board, will be required.

Gentlemen, in law there is a hidden rule that says, he who made the law, made the loophole. I nother words nothing is written in stone.

Texas will not flat out deny you without DUE PROCESS, and as you can see, they have provisions that, if satisfied, provides a candidate with DUE PROCESS before they turn you down.

Notice how, in the case of medical schools outside the infamous list, which, by the way is outdated (as one boardmember admited over the phone) they emphasize....(8) be eligible for licensure in country of graduation as defined under §163.1(8) of this title;

and...

(11) have supplied all additional information that the board may require concerning the applicant's medical school.
also...

(A) is substantially equivalent to a Texas medical school; and
(B) has not been disapproved by another state physician licensing agency unless the applicant can provide evidence that the disapproval was unfounded.

Interesting, the aforementioned part, a school that is substantially equivalent toa Texas medical school means that the school has a basic sciences component of two years and a clinical sciences component of at least 80 weeks.

In other words, they DO evaluate candidates from unaproved schools on a case by case scenario, or on an individual basis, if such semantics are better.

There are a lot of myths out there, and my job is to debuke them, not add gas to the fire or simply be, as thet call it in Texas, a naysayer.

It just intrigues me how in these forums people discuss such things without reading the law or at least making reference to it appropiately.

Any questions?

Let me know by PM. If I don't know the answer I will research it. If I have to correct myself, so be it.

well, then st chris would certainly have issues by being on a states disapproved list, and may have issues from the GMC as far as being eligible in country of licensure.

i am sure you can nit pick around many laws and find loopholes. if you have the time and money to do such, you may even get through the loophole. however, it would be pretty stupid to go to a med school that required this sort of action in order to work.

St. Chris exists in England thanks to a loophole.

Please contact us for advice if you are currently studying or applying to study at this institution.

registrationhelp@gmc-uk.org

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Actually,an SC grad would need to prove eligibility for licensure (and/or proof that his/her citizenship prevents licensure) in Senegal.

That could be a problem.