Scope
All residents and fellows participating in accredited University of Washington post-graduate training programs (i.e., residencies or fellowships).
Policy
Consistent with the medical staff bylaws of UW School of Medicine’s participating institutions, all residents and fellows must hold an active Washington state medical license whilte training in a UW graduate medical education program. Residents and fellows are also responsible for complying with any additional licensure requirements while participating in educational experiences outside of UW Medicine and affiliated hospitals. Likewise, trainees participating in rotations outside of Washington State must comply with the local state licensure requirements while training in a UW GME program.
Washington State Physician Licenses:
The following types of licenses are available for residents and fellows in Washington State:
- Limited Physician & Surgeon License (ML) – Residents and fellows with less than two years of post-graduate medical training accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) are eligible to apply for a limited license. This license permits the holder to practice medicine only in connection with his/her duties as a resident physician. Residents and fellows applying for the limited license should check 'Resident Physician' on the application form.
- Full Physician & Surgeon License (MD) – Residents and fellows with two or more years of post graduate medical training accredited by the ACGME or Canadian accrediting bodies (RCPSC or CFPC) and successful completion of a national licensure examination (i.e., USMLE or LMCC) are eligible to apply for a full license. Foreign Medical Graduates also require ECFMG certification.
- Limited Osteopathic Physician & Surgeon License (OL) – This license is available to residents and fellows with less than one year of post graduate training. This license permits the holder to practice medicine only in connection with his/her duties as a resident physician.
- Full Osteopathic Physician & Surgeon License (OP) – This license is available to residents and fellows who have completed a nationally approved one-year internship program or the first year of a residency program approved by the American Osteopathic Association, the American Medical Association or by their recognized affiliate residency accrediting organizations.
Procedures
Program administrators and the GME Office are available to assist residents and fellows with questions regarding the Washington State medical licensing process. However, it is the responsibility of each individual resident and fellow to obtain and maintain an active medical license at all times while training in a UW GME program.
Initial limited and full license applications for residents and fellows new to UW GME programs must be submitted to the GME Office for review before submission to the Department of Health. General documentation requirements may vary by applicant due to individual differences in education and professional experience. It is the trainee’s responsibility to ensure the timely submission of all required application materials and payment to the Department of Health.
Trainees with a Washington State limited license who are applying for a full license must ensure they have met all eligibility requirements prior to expiration of their limited license. This includes completion of USMLE Step 3.
Renewals
Renewal notices for expiring licenses are sent out by the DOH 6-8 weeks prior to the license expiration date. However, residents and fellows are responsible for renewing their license on time even if they have not received a renewal notice.
- Limited License - Initial license issued with program start date, renewed annually
- Full License - Expires on the practitioner's birthday
To renew a license, check the fee schedule on the DOH website for the most up-to-date renewal fee information. Mail a check for the appropriate amount along with your name, license number, and Residency Certification form (for limited resident physician licenses only) to:
Department of Health
Revenue Section
PO Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507
** If you have questions, you may contact the Customer Service Center at (360) 236-4700 or via email.
Compliance
The GME Office will provide monthly reports on resident and fellow licensure status to program administrators and directors. The following license status information is included in the report:
- Pending license applications, including missing information required by the DOH,
- Expired licenses, and
- Licenses set to expire within 30 days
As noted above, it is the responsibility of each individual resident and fellow to obtain and maintain an active medical license at all times. Failure to comply with the licensure requirements set forth in this policy may result in the trainee’s removal from patient care activities until the deficiency is resolved to the satisfaction of the program and GME Office. Further information on this process may be found in the Academic & Professional Conduct Policy & Procedures.
Residents and fellows with pending initial or renewal applications delayed due to Department of Health application processing procedures will not be considered out of compliance with this policy, and thus will not be subject to the Academic & Professional Conduct Policy & Procedures for this reason.
WWAMI Region Requirements
As noted above, trainees participating in rotations outside of Washington State must comply with the local state licensure requirements while training in a UW GME program. Following are the license requirements for the states in the WWAMI region. Residents and fellows are responsible for ensuring that they are in compliance with state and any site-specific requirements before the start of their rotation.
- Wyoming: Exempt from License Requirement. “Medical students” are exempt from the state license requirements. The term “medical students” in W.S. 33-26-103 (a)(ii) includes physicians trained in an LCME or AOA accredited or board approved School of Medicine who are participating or serving in a program of clinical clerkship, internship, externship, residency or fellowship training under the supervision of a physician licensed by the Board.“
- Alaska: Permit Required. Per AS 08.64.272. Residency and Internship Permits.”(a) A person may not serve as a resident or intern without a permit issued under this section.” See Application for Resident Permit on the Alaska State Medical Board website for a link to the application form.
- Montana: Temporary Certificate Required. Montana Code 37-3-305 requires licensure for any medical practice in the state. Residents are not permitted to practice medicine in Montana in any manner without a limited temporary certificate. See Rural Rotation Resident application on the Montana Board of Medical Examiners website for a link to the application form.
- Idaho: Registration Required. Idaho Code 54-1807 states “Externs, interns and residents must register with the board prior to the commencement of any activities constituting the practice of medicine in this state.” See Intern, Extern and Resident Registration on the Idaho Board of Medicine website for a link to the registration form.
Effective 2/08/07; Revised 9/19/08, 12/3/08, 2/12/09