Pennsylvania Code
Title 49 - PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL STANDARDS
Part I - DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Subpart A - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL AFFAIRS
Chapter 17 - STATE BOARD OF MEDICINE-MEDICAL DOCTORS
Subchapter A - LICENSURE OF MEDICAL DOCTORS
Section 17.2 - Licensure without restriction-endorsement

(a) Other qualifications. The Board will grant a license without restriction to an applicant who does not meet the standard license requirements enumerated in § 17.1 (relating to license without restriction), if the applicant has achieved cumulative qualifications which are endorsed by the Board as being equivalent to the standard requirements for the license.

(b) Graduation from an unaccredited medical college. A person who has completed the formal requirements for graduation from an unaccredited medical college, except an internship or social service requirement, who qualifies for and successfully completes a fifth pathway program, shall be considered as having achieved the same status as a graduate of an unaccredited medical college for the purpose of the Board's evaluation of the applicant's qualifications for a license without restriction.

(c) License examination. In evaluating the qualifications of an applicant who seeks a license without restriction on the basis of endorsement, the Board will accept a passing score on a licensing examination acceptable to the Board. If the examination was not taken in English, but is otherwise acceptable, and a passing score was secured, the Board will accept the examination result if the applicant has also secured a passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

(d) ECFMG certification. For purposes of endorsement, a graduate from an unaccredited medical school who has obtained certification by the ECFMG shall be deemed to have the equivalent of a passing score on steps 1 and 2 of the USMLE.

(e) The Board may, in lieu of the examination requirement provided for in subsection (c), consider whether the applicant has a significant history in the practice of medicine, has recognized professional and academic achievement and credentials and has obtained certification by a Board recognized specialty certification body.

(f) An applicant for a license by endorsement shall satisfy the requirements in § 16.12 (relating to general qualifications for licenses and certificates), including having completed at least 3 hours of approved training in child abuse recognition and reporting in accordance with § 16.108 (relating to child abuse recognition and reporting-mandatory training requirement).