Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §3271, sub-§6 is enacted to read:

6.__Waiver for exceptional circumstances.__The board may waive the requirements of this section for a physician who does not meet the postgraduate training requirements of subsection 2 but who meets the requirements of this subsection.

A.__To be considered for a waiver under this subsection, the physician must:

(1)__Be a graduate of a foreign medical school, not including a medical school in Canada or Great Britain;

(2)__Be licensed in another state; and

(3)__Have at least 2 years of working experience in the area of expertise.

B.__If the physician meets the requirements of paragraph A, the board shall use the following qualifications of the physician to determine whether to grant a waiver:

(1)__Completion of a fellowship in the United States in the area of practice;

(2)__Appointment to an academic appointment at a licensed medical school in the United States;

(3)__Publication in medical journals recognized by the board;

(4)__The number of years in practice; and

(5)__Other criteria demonstrating expertise such as awards or other recognition.

SUMMARY

This bill allows the Board of Licensure in Medicine, under exceptional circumstances, to waive the postgraduate training requirements for licensure as a physician in this State. The physician must be a graduate of a foreign medical school, not including a school in Canada or Great Britain, be licensed in another state and have at least 2 years working experience in the area of expertise. If the physician meets these requirements, the board must consider the physician for a waiver using criteria