Title of Regulation: 18VAC85-20. Regulations Governing the Practice of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Podiatry, and Chiropractic (amending 18VAC85-20-121, 18VAC85-20-122).

Statutory Authority: § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: October 7, 2015.

Agency Contact: William L. Harp, M.D., Executive Director, Board of Medicine, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233-1463, telephone (804) 367-4621, FAX (804) 527-4429, or email william.harp@dhp.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments conform regulation requirements for postgraduate training per Chapter 525 of the 2015 Acts of Assembly so that 12 months of such training must be done in one program or institution.

18VAC85-20-121. Educational requirements: Graduates of approved institutions.

A. Such an applicant shall be a graduate of an institution that meets the criteria appropriate to the profession in which he seeks to be licensed, which are as follows:

1. For licensure in medicine. The institution shall be approved or accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or other official accrediting body recognized by the American Medical Association, or by the Committee for the Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools or its appropriate subsidiary agencies or any other organization approved by the board.

2. For licensure in osteopathic medicine. The institution shall be approved or accredited by the Bureau of Professional Education of the American Osteopathic Association or any other organization approved by the board.

3. For licensure in podiatry. The institution shall be approved and recommended by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association or any other organization approved by the board.

B. Such an applicant for licensure in medicine, osteopathic medicine, or podiatry shall provide evidence of having completed one year 12 months of satisfactory postgraduate training as an intern or resident in a hospital or health care facility offering approved internship and residency training programs in one program or institution when such a program or institution is approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the board for internship and residency training.

C. For licensure in chiropractic.

1. If the applicant matriculated in a chiropractic college on or after July 1, 1975, he shall be a graduate of a chiropractic college accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council of Chiropractic Education or any other organization approved by the board.

2. If the applicant matriculated in a chiropractic college prior to July 1, 1975, he shall be a graduate of a chiropractic college accredited by the American Chiropractic Association or the International Chiropractic Association or any other organization approved by the board.

18VAC85-20-122. Educational requirements: Graduates and former students of institutions not approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the board.

A. A graduate of an institution not approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the board shall present documentary evidence that he:

1. Was enrolled and physically in attendance at the institution's principal site for a minimum of two consecutive years and fulfilled at least half of the degree requirements while enrolled two consecutive academic years at the institution's principal site.

2. Has fulfilled the applicable requirements of § 54.1-2930 of the Code of Virginia.

3. Has obtained a certificate from the Educational Council of Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), or its equivalent. Proof of licensure by the board of another state or territory of the United States or a province of Canada may be accepted in lieu of ECFMG certification.

4. Has had supervised clinical training as a part of his curriculum in an approved hospital, institution or school of medicine offering an approved residency program in the specialty area for the clinical training received or in a program acceptable to the board and deemed a substantially equivalent experience, if such training was received in the United States.

5. Has completed two years of satisfactory postgraduate training as an intern, or resident in a hospital or health care facility offering an approved internship or residency training program when such a program is approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the board for internship and residency, or clinical fellow. The two years shall include at least 12 months in one program or institution approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the board for internship or residency training or in a clinical fellowship acceptable to the board in the same or a related field.

a. The board may substitute other postgraduate training or study for one year of the two-year requirement when such training or study has occurred in the United States or Canada and is:

(1) An approved fellowship program; or

(2) A position teaching medical students, interns, or residents in a medical school program approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the board for internship and residency training.

b. The board may substitute continuous full-time practice of five years or more with a limited professorial license in Virginia and one year of postgraduate training in a foreign country in lieu of two years of postgraduate training.

6. Has received a degree from the institution.

B. A former student who has completed all degree requirements except social services and postgraduate internship at a school not approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the board shall be considered for licensure provided that he:

1. Has fulfilled the requirements of subdivisions A 1 through 5 of this section;

2. Has qualified for and completed an appropriate supervised clinical training program as established by the American Medical Association; and

3. Presents a document issued by the school certifying that he has met all the formal requirements of the institution for a degree except social services and postgraduate internship.