81R3525 NC-D
By: Gonzales H.B. No. 4437
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to examination requirements for certain applicants for a
license to practice medicine.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 155.051, Occupations Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows:
(d) The time frame to pass each part of the examination does
not apply to an applicant who:
(1) is licensed and in good standing as a physician in
another state;
(2) has been licensed for at least five years;
(3) does not hold a medical license in the other state
that has any restrictions, disciplinary orders, or probation;
(4) will practice in a medically underserved area or a
health manpower shortage area, as those terms are defined by
Section 157.052; and
(5) is credentialed by a public hospital, a federally
qualified health center, a federally qualified health center
look-alike, or a health care center primarily serving uninsured
persons.
(e) The board may by rule establish a process to verify that
a person, after meeting the requirements of Subsection (d),
practices only in an area described by Subsection (d)(4).
SECTION 2. Section 155.056, Occupations Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows:
(e) The limitation on examination attempts by an applicant
under Subsection (a) does not apply to an applicant who:
(1) is licensed and in good standing as a physician in
another state;
(2) has been licensed for at least five years;
(3) does not hold a medical license in the other state
that has any restrictions, disciplinary orders, or probation;
(4) will practice in a medically underserved area or a
health manpower shortage area, as those terms are defined by
Section 157.052; and
(5) is credentialed by a public hospital, a federally
qualified health center, a federally qualified health center
look-alike, or a health care center primarily serving uninsured
persons.
(f) The board may by rule establish a process to verify that
a person who, after meeting the requirements of Subsection (e),
practices only in an area described by Subsection (e)(4).
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.