§ 43-17-18 — Physician license requirements

1. General. Every applicant for licensure shall file a written application, on forms provided
by the board, showing to the board's satisfaction that the applicant satisfies all of the
requirements of this chapter including:
a. Successful completion of a medical licensure examination satisfactory to the
board;
b. Physical, mental, and professional capability for the practice of medicine in a
manner acceptable to the board; and
c. A history free of any finding by the board, any other state medical licensure
board, or any court of competent jurisdiction, of the commission of any act that
would constitute grounds for disciplinary action under this chapter; the board may
modify this restriction for cause.
2. Graduates of United States and Canadian schools.
a. An applicant who is a graduate of an approved medical or osteopathic school
located in the United States, its possessions, territories, or Canada, shall present
evidence, satisfactory to the board, that the applicant has been awarded a degree
of doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy from a medical school located in the
United States, its possessions, territories, or Canada, approved by the board or
by an accrediting body approved by the board at the time the degree was
conferred.
b. An applicant who is a graduate of an approved medical or osteopathic school
located in the United States, its possessions, territories, or Canada, must present
evidence, satisfactory to the board, that the applicant has successfully completed
one year of postgraduate training in the United States or Canada in a program
approved by the board or by an accrediting body approved by the board.
3. Graduates of international schools.
a. An applicant who is a graduate of a medical school not located in the United
States, its possessions, territories, or Canada, shall present evidence,
satisfactory to the board, that the applicant possesses the degree of doctor of
medicine or a board-approved equivalent based on satisfactory completion of
educational programs acceptable to the board. Graduates of osteopathic schools
located outside the United States are not eligible for licensure.

b. An applicant who has graduated from a medical school not located in the United
States, its possessions, territories, or Canada, must present evidence,
satisfactory to the board, that the applicant has successfully completed twenty-
four months of postgraduate training in a program located in the United States, its
possessions, territories, or Canada, and accredited by a national accrediting
organization approved by the board or other graduate training approved in
advance by the board as meeting standards similar to those of a national
accrediting organization. However, if such an applicant has not completed thirty
months of postgraduate training in a program approved by the board or by an
accrediting body approved by the board, but has met all other licensing
requirements and has successfully completed one year of postgraduate training
in the United States or Canada in a program approved by the board, and if the
board finds that the applicant has other professional experience and training that
is substantially equivalent to the last eighteen months of postgraduate training,
then the applicant may be deemed eligible for licensure. The board is granted
broad discretion in determining whether to apply this exception to the normal
licensing requirements. An applicant seeking licensure under this exception must
present evidence satisfactory to the board that:
(1) The applicant is certified by a specialty board recognized by the American
board of medical specialties or by a specialty board recognized by the royal
college of physicians and surgeons of Canada; or
(2) The applicant has passed the special purpose examination developed by
the federation of state medical boards of the United States.
c. The applicant shall present evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant
has been awarded a certificate by the educational council for foreign medical
graduates. The board may adopt rules establishing specific exceptions to this
requirement.
d. The applicant has a working ability in the English language sufficient to
communicate with patients and physicians and to engage in the practice of
medicine.
4. Uniquely qualified license. The board may issue a medical license to an applicant who
does not meet all the technical eligibility requirements if the board determines the
applicant is uniquely qualified through training or experience or will make a unique or
special contribution to the practice of medicine not readily available to the citizens of
the state. The board shall adopt rules for qualifications and factors to be considered
under this subsection.
5. An applicant may require an interview before the board for such examination into the
applicant's qualifications. The board may adopt rules to issue provisional and
temporary licenses to be in effect in the interval between board meetings.