§ 14-307. Qualifications of applicants

   (a) In general. -- To qualify for a license, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the requirements of this section.

(b) Moral character. -- The applicant shall be of good moral character.

(c) Age. -- The applicant shall be at least 18 years old.

(d) Education. -- Except as provided in § 14-308 of this subtitle, the applicant shall:

   (1) (i) Have a degree of doctor of medicine from a medical school that is accredited by an accrediting organization that the Board recognizes in its regulations; and

      (ii) Submit evidence acceptable to the Board of successful completion of 1 year of training in a postgraduate medical training program that is accredited by an accrediting organization that the Board recognizes in its regulations; or

   (2) (i) Have a degree of doctor of osteopathy from a school of osteopathy in the United States, its territories or possessions, Puerto Rico, or Canada that has standards for graduation equivalent to those established by the American Osteopathic Association; and

      (ii) Submit evidence acceptable to the Board of successful completion of 1 year of training in a postgraduate medical training program accredited by an accrediting organization that the Board recognizes in its regulations.

(e) Examination. -- Except as otherwise provided in this title, the applicant shall pass an examination required by the Board under this subtitle.

(f) Additional requirements -- In general. -- The applicant shall meet any other qualifications that the Board establishes in its regulations for license applicants.

(g) Additional requirements -- Additional training. -- An applicant who has failed the examination or any part of the examination 3 or more times may qualify for a license if the applicant:

   (1) Has successfully completed 2 or more years of a residency or fellowship accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association;

   (2) (i) Has a minimum of 5 years of clinical practice of medicine:

         1. In the United States or in Canada;

         2. With at least 3 of the 5 years having occurred within 5 years of the date of the application; and

         3. That occurred under a full unrestricted license to practice medicine; and

      (ii) Has no disciplinary action pending and has had no disciplinary action taken against the applicant that would be grounds for discipline under § 14-404 of this title; or

   (3) Is board certified.

(h) English language competency. --

   (1) The Board shall require as part of its examination or licensing procedures that an applicant for a license to practice medicine demonstrate an oral competency in the English language.

   (2) Graduation from a recognized English-speaking undergraduate school or high school, including General Education Development (GED), after at least 3 years of enrollment, or from a recognized English-speaking professional school is acceptable as proof of proficiency in the oral communication of the English language under this section.

   (3) By regulation, the Board shall develop a procedure for testing individuals who because of their speech impairment are unable to complete satisfactorily a Board approved standardized test of oral competency.

   (4) If any disciplinary charges or action that involves a problem with the oral communication of the English language are brought against a licensee under this title, the Board shall require the licensee to take and pass a Board approved standardized test of oral competency.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 43, § 121, 123; 1981, ch. 8, § 2; 1985, ch. 240; 1985, 2nd Sp. Sess., ch. 2; 1987, ch. 660; 1988, ch. 645, § 2; 1990, ch. 6, § 11; 1992, ch. 271, § 1; 1993, ch. 627, § 2; 2000, ch. 140; 2013, ch. 582, § 2; ch. 583, § 2.