21 NCAC 32B .1350          reinstatement of physician license

(a)  "Reinstatement" is for a physician who has held a North Carolina license, but whose license either has been inactive for more than one year, or whose license became inactive as a result of disciplinary action (revocation or suspension) taken by the Board. It also applies to a physician who has surrendered a license prior to charges being filed by the Board.

(b)  All applicants for reinstatement shall:

(1)           submit a completed application, attesting under oath or affirmation that information on the application is true and complete, and authorizing the release to the Board of all information pertaining to the application;

(2)           submit a photograph that shows a front view of the applicant's face;

(3)           submit documentation of a legal name change, if applicable;

(4)           supply a copy of the applicant's birth certificate if the applicant was born in the U.S. or a certified copy of a valid and unexpired U.S. passport. If the applicant does not possess proof of U.S. citizenship, the applicant shall provide information about the applicant's immigration status that the Board shall use to verify the applicant's legal presence in the U.S. Applicants who are not physically present in the U.S. and who do not plan to practice by being physically present in the U.S. shall submit a written statement to that effect;

(5)           furnish an original ECFMG certification status report of a currently valid certification of the ECFMG if the applicant is a graduate of a medical school other than those approved by LCME, AOA, COCA, or CACMS. The ECFMG certification status report requirement shall be waived if: the applicant has passed the ECFMG examination and completed an approved Fifth Pathway program (original ECFMG score transcript from the ECFMG required);

(6)           submit documentation of CME obtained in the last three years;

(7)           submit two completed fingerprint cards;

(8)           submit a signed consent allowing a search of local, state, and national files to disclose any criminal record;

(9)           provide two original references from persons with no family or marital relationship to the applicant. These references shall be:

(A)          from physicians who have observed the applicant's work in a clinical environment within the past three years;

(B)          on forms supplied by the Board;

(C)          dated within six months of submission of the application; and

(D)          bearing the original signature of the author;

(10)         pay to the Board a non-refundable fee pursuant to G.S. 90-13.1(a), plus the cost of a criminal background check; and

(11)         upon request, provide any additional information the Board deems necessary to evaluate the applicant's qualifications.

(c)  In addition to the requirements of Paragraph (b) of this Rule, the applicant shall submit proof that the applicant has:

(1)           within the past 10 years taken and passed either:

(A)          an exam listed in G.S. 90-10.1 (a state board licensing examination, NBOME, USMLE, COMLEX, or MCCQE or their successors);

(B)          SPEX (with a score of 75 or higher); or

(C)          COMLEX (with a score of 75 or higher);

(2)           within the past ten years:

(A)          obtained certification or recertification of CAQ by a specialty board recognized by the ABMS, CCFP, FRCP, FRCS, AOA, or American Board of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery;

(B)          met requirements for ABMS MOC (maintenance of certification) or AOA OCC (Osteopathic continuous certification);

(3)           within the past 10 years completed GME approved by ACGME, CFPC, RCPSC or AOA; or

(4)           within the past three years completed CME as required by 21 NCAC 32R .0101(a), .0101(b), and .0102.

(d)  All reports shall be submitted directly to the Board from the primary source.

(e)  An applicant shall be required to appear in person for an interview with the Board or its agent to evaluate the applicant's competence and character if the Board determines it needs more information to evaluate the applicant based on the information provided by the applicant and the Board's concerns.

(f)  An application must be complete within one year of submission. If not, the applicant shall be charged another application fee plus the cost of another criminal background check.

(g)  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Rule, the licensure requirements established by rule at the time the applicant first received his or her equivalent North Carolina license shall apply. Information about these Rules is available from the Board.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-5.1(a)(3); 90-8.1; 90-9.1; 90-10.1; 90-13.1;

Eff. August 1, 2010;

Amended Eff. September 1, 2014; November 1, 2013; November 1, 2011;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. March 1, 2016;

Amended Eff. May 1, 2022; July 1, 2019.