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1992.09.16 :  Regulation -- Physician Licensing

Contact:  Patricia Campbell (301) 443-3376
September 16, 1992

       HHS Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., today announced the
physician licensing examinations that will be considered equivalent
to the U.S. Federation of State Medical Board's Federation
Licensing Examination, known as the FLEX, for granting foreign
physicians H-1B visas to practice clinical medicine in the United
States. 
       In the Federal Register announcement, the secretary
recognized Parts I, II and III of the National Board of Medical
Examiners (NBME) certifying exams and Steps 1, 2 and 3 of the
United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE) to be equal to
the FLEX.  Both these examinations, like the FLEX, are American
medical licensing examinations that test knowledge in three areas: 
basic medical sciences, clinical sciences and clinical practice
management.
       Before 1991, foreign doctors were granted H-1B visas to come
to the United States only to conduct research or to teach.  In
1991, an amendment to the Immigration Act of 1990 established new
visa eligibility for foreign doctors to seek temporary work
practicing clinical medicine in the United States.     
       "As a requirement for obtaining an H-1B visa to practice
medicine in the United States, foreign doctors must demonstrate
that they have the expertise to practice quality medicine anywhere
in the country,"  Dr. Sullivan said.  "By deciding that the USMLE
and the NBME certifying exams are equal to the FLEX, a policy is
established that is fair to international medical graduates from
all parts of the world.  At the same time, it ensures quality
health care for the American people."
       The Federation of State Medical Boards and the NBME have
announced that over the next several years, all current U.S.
medical licensure programs, including the FLEX and NBME
certification, will be replaced by a single examination program,
the United States Medical Licensing Examination.  Step 1 of the
USMLE was administered for the first time this June, with Step 2 to
be administered in September 1992, and Step 3 in June 1994.  By
1995, the USMLE will be the only medical licensing examination
program available in the United States.
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