Section 4731.29. Reciprocity

(A) When a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery by the licensing department of another state, a diplomate of the national board of medical examiners or the national board of examiners for osteopathic physicians and surgeons, or a licentiate of the medical council of Canada wishes to remove to this state to practice, the person shall file an application with the state medical board. The board may, in its discretion, by an affirmative vote of not less than six of its members, issue its certificate to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery without requiring the applicant to submit to examination, provided the applicant submits evidence satisfactory to the board of meeting the same age, moral character, and educational requirements individuals must meet under sections 4731.08, 4731.09, 4731.091, and 4731.14 of the Revised Code and, if applicable, demonstrates proficiency in spoken English in accordance with division (E) of this section.

(B) The state medical board shall issue or deny its certificate to practice within sixty days after the receipt of a complete application under division (A) of this section. Within thirty days after receipt of an application, the state medical board shall provide the applicant with written notice of any information required before an application can be considered complete for purposes of this section.

(C) If an applicant is under investigation pursuant to section 4731.22 of the Revised Code, the state medical board shall conclude the investigation within ninety days of receipt of a complete application unless extended by written consent of the applicant or unless the board determines that a substantial question of a violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under it exists and the board has notified the applicant in writing of the reasons for the continuation of the investigation. If the board determines that the applicant is not in violation, it shall issue a certificate within forty-five days of that determination.

(D) A fee of three hundred dollars shall be submitted with each application for certification under this section.

(E)

(1) Except as provided in division (E)(2) of this section, an applicant licensed to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery by the licensing department of another state who received that license based in part on certification from the educational commission for foreign medical graduates shall demonstrate proficiency in spoken English if the applicant fulfilled the undergraduate requirements for a certificate issued under this section at an institution outside the United States. The applicant may demonstrate such proficiency only in the manner described in section 4731.142 of the Revised Code for individuals attempting to receive certificates issued under section 4731.14 of the Revised Code.

(2) An applicant described in division (E)(1) of this section is not required to demonstrate proficiency in spoken English if either of the following apply:

(a) During the five years immediately preceding the date of application, the applicant's license has been unrestricted and the applicant has been actively practicing medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in the United States.

(b) At the beginning of the five-year period preceding the date of application under this section, the applicant was participating in graduate medical education, as defined in section 4731.091 of the Revised Code, and since completing that education has held an unrestricted license and has been actively practicing medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in the United States.

(c) The applicant was required to demonstrate such proficiency as a condition of receiving certification from the educational commission for foreign medical graduates.

Effective Date: 04-10-2001