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Medical License Direct
Solution for your medical license needs.
| PHONE: 850-471-8648 ~ FAX: 904-339-9671 Medical License Direct, LLC ~ info@medicallicensedirect.com |
| Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners 665 MAINSTREAM DRIVE NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37243 (800) 778-4123, ext. 532-4384 or (615) 532-3202, ext. 532-4384 |
Medical License Direct Makes Tennessee Medical License
Application Process Easier for Physicians
Medical License Direct provides medical licensing services to physicians who are seeking state medical
licenses in one or more states. Free up your time for other priorities by submitting either a paper or
online form and your application will be completed generally within a couple days.
We have the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners application on file in PDF format ready for
professional completion; a system that allows production of applications and third party verification forms
almost instantly while retaining personal information in a safe and confidential environment; and a state
medical board knowledge base that is extensive and updated frequently.
What our medical license service will do for you:
That's it! Fast and easy.
Discounts are available for multi-state acquisitions.
Call, 850-471-8648, weekdays 9:00 am to 5:00 pm CST for a FREE initial consultation or quote.
Or email your questions to info@medicallicensedirect.com and you can generally expect a reply within a
few hours during business hours.
We also offer a pre-qualification form for your convenience. Or, please click HERE for our paper or online
form and we'll get started right away.
Application Process Easier for Physicians
Medical License Direct provides medical licensing services to physicians who are seeking state medical
licenses in one or more states. Free up your time for other priorities by submitting either a paper or
online form and your application will be completed generally within a couple days.
We have the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners application on file in PDF format ready for
professional completion; a system that allows production of applications and third party verification forms
almost instantly while retaining personal information in a safe and confidential environment; and a state
medical board knowledge base that is extensive and updated frequently.
What our medical license service will do for you:
- Provide FREE initial pre-qualification and medical licensing consultation
- Research and prepare your Tennessee medical license application
- Ship completed medical license application to you
- Send all verification requests and follow up to make sure the right people receive and process them
quickly - Provide continuous follow up and frequent board update reports until you're licensed.
That's it! Fast and easy.
Discounts are available for multi-state acquisitions.
Call, 850-471-8648, weekdays 9:00 am to 5:00 pm CST for a FREE initial consultation or quote.
Or email your questions to info@medicallicensedirect.com and you can generally expect a reply within a
few hours during business hours.
We also offer a pre-qualification form for your convenience. Or, please click HERE for our paper or online
form and we'll get started right away.
0880-2-.03 LICENSURE PROCESS-U.S. AND CANADA MEDICAL SCHOOL GRADUATES.
To practice medicine in Tennessee a person must possess a lawfully issued license from the board. The
procedure for obtaining a license is as follows:
(1) An applicant shall obtain an application form from the Board Administrative Office, respond truthfully and
completely to every question or request for information contained in the form and submit it along with all
documentation and fees required by the form and this rule to the Board Administrative Office. It is the intent
of this rule that all activities necessary to accomplish the filing of the required documentation be completed
prior to filing a licensure application and that all documentation be filed simultaneously.
(2) It is the applicant’s responsibility to request a graduate transcript from a medical school approved by the
American Medical Association or its extant accreditation program for medical education or its successor be
submitted directly from the school to the Board Administrative Office. The transcript must show that the
degree has been conferred and carry the official seal of the institution.
(3) An applicant shall submit evidence satisfactory to the Board of successful completion of a one (1) year
United States training program approved by the American Medical Association or its extant accreditation
program for medical education or its successor. Such evidence shall include but not be dispositive of this
requirement, a notarized certificate of completion and a letter attesting to satisfactory completion issued by
the director of the program which shall indicate that the training was completed entirely after receipt of a
medical degree in one continuous program in any one of the recognized medical specialty areas.
(4) An applicant shall submit a clear and recognizable, recently taken, bust photograph which shows the full
head, face forward from at least the top of the shoulders up.
(5) An applicant shall submit evidence of good moral character. Such evidence shall be two (2) recent (within
the six [6] months preceding the date the Board received the application) original letters from medical
professionals, attesting to the applicant's personal character and professional ethics on the signatory's
letterhead.
(6) An applicant shall submit proof of United States or Canada citizenship or evidence of being legally entitled
to live and work in the United States. Such evidence may include notarized copies of birth certificates,
naturalization papers or current visa status.
(7) An applicant shall submit the application fee and state regulatory fee as provided in rule 0880-2-.02(1)
(a) and (g).
(8) All applicants shall submit or cause to be submitted a certificate of successful completion of the
examination for licensure as governed by rule 0880-2-.08.
(9) All applicants shall disclose the circumstances surrounding any of the following: (a) Conviction of any
criminal law violation of any country, state, or municipality, except minor traffic violations. (b) The denial of
licensure application by any other state or the discipline of licensure in any state. (c) Loss or restriction of
hospital privileges. (d) Any other civil suit judgment or civil suit settlement in which the applicant was a party
defendant including, without limitation, actions involving medical malpractice, breach of contract, antitrust
activity or any other civil action remedy recognized under any country’s or state’s statutory, common, or case
law. (e) Failure of any medical licensure examination.
(10) An applicant who has completed all but three (3) or less months of the one (1) year training program
required by paragraph (3) of this rule may apply for licensure if all other requirements of this rule are met
and the director of the training program submits a letter attesting to the applicant’s satisfactory performance
in and anticipated successful completion of the training program. However, no license shall be approved or
issued until the requirements of paragraph (3) of this rule are met.
(11) The applicant shall cause to be submitted to the Board’s administrative office directly from the vendor
identified in the Board’s licensure application materials, the result of a criminal background check.
(12) Submission of any document or set of documents required by this rule or submission of verification of
the authenticity, validity and accuracy of the content of any document or set of documents required by this
rule directly from the FCVS to the Board Administrative Office shall be deemed to be submission of originals
of those documents or sets of documents by the issuing institution(s).
(13) Application review and licensure decisions shall be governed by rule 0880-2-.07. Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-
202, 4-5-204, 63-6-101, and 63-6-207. Administrative History: Original rule filed October 13, 1983; effective November 14, 1983. Subsequently
repealed and replaced twice, the last replacement October, 2007 (Revised) 4 (Rule 0880-2-.03, continued) was effective April 12, 1991.
Amendment filed November 27, 1991; effective February 26, 1992. Amendment filed December 29, 1992; effective February 15, 1993.
Amendment filed February 23, 1995; effective May 9, 1995. Amendment filed February 3, 1998; effective April 19, 1998. Amendment filed
December 5, 2003; effective February 18, 2004. Amendment filed August 23, 2005; effective November 6, 2005. Amendment filed March 14,
2006; effective May 28, 2006. Amendment filed March 22, 2007; effective June 5, 2007. 0880-2-.04
LICENSURE PROCESS-INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL SCHOOL GRADUATES.
To practice medicine in Tennessee a person must possess a lawfully issued license from the board. The
procedure for obtaining a license is as follows:
(1) An applicant shall obtain an application form from the Board Administrative Office, respond truthfully and
completely to every question or request for information contained in the form and submit it along with all
documentation and fees required by the form and this rule to the Board Administrative Office. It is the intent
of this rule that all activities necessary to accomplish the filing of the required documentation be completed
prior to filing a licensure application and that all documentation be filed simultaneously.
(2) It is the applicant’s responsibility to request a graduate transcript from a medical school approved by the
American Medical Association or its extant accreditation program for medical education or its successor be
submitted directly from the school to the Board Administrative Office. The transcript must show that the
degree has been conferred and carry the official seal of the institution.
(3) To be a Board approved international medical school for purposes of this rule the school shall meet the
following curriculum criteria:
(a) All courses must have been completed by personal attendance. No international medical school
accepting or providing credits for courses taken by correspondence shall be approved.
(b) Course instruction must consist of the equivalent of at least four (4) academic years with a minimum of
thirty-two (32) weeks of relevant medical instruction each academic year.
(c) The school shall be recognized by the World Health Organization but such recognition is not binding on
the Board.
(d) The school’s admission standards must meet or exceed those of medical schools accredited by the
Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
(e) Acceptable medical educational courses and activities must have been centrally organized, integrated
and controlled into a continuous program which was conducted, monitored and approved by the parent
institution.
(f) If the school does not meet these requirements the applicant cannot obtain a license in Tennessee.
(4) An applicant shall cause to be submitted a notarized copy of the original permanent E.C.F.M.G.
certificate. In lieu of the certificate the following shall be acceptable:
(a) Graduates of Mexican medical schools may submit a letter from the E.C.F.M.G. stating all requirements
for issuance of a certificate have been met.
(b) For all applicants who cannot receive the original or copies of the original certificate due to the phase out
of the E.C.F.M.G. must have submitted directly from the testing agency to the Board’s Administrative Office
proof of successful completion of the U.S.M.L.E. Steps 1 & 2 which are the equivalent of the old E.C.F.M.G.
certificates.
(c) For applicants who have completed the E.C.F.M.G. requirements by utilization of the fifth pathway, all
necessary supporting documentation from the E.C.F.M.G. and the institution wherein the fifth pathway criteria
were met.
(5) An applicant shall submit evidence satisfactory to the Board of successful completion of a three (3) year
residency program approved by the American Medical Association or its extant accreditation program for
medical education or its successor. Such evidence shall include but not be dispositive of this requirement, a
notarized certificate of completion and a letter attesting to satisfactory completion issued by the director of
the program which shows that the residency was completed in one (1) discipline. An applicant who holds a
specialty board certification or is eligible to hold such certification may be deemed to have completed the
three (3) year residency requirement of this rule if the specialty board is recognized and is a member of the
American Board of Medical Specialties.
(6) An applicant shall submit a clear and recognizable, recently taken, bust photograph which shows the full
head, face forward from at least the top of the shoulders up.
(7) An applicant shall submit evidence of good moral character. Such evidence shall be two (2) recent (within
the six [6] months preceding the date the Board received the application) original letters from medical
professionals, attesting to the applicant's personal character and professional ethics on the signatory's
letterhead.
(8) An applicant shall submit proof of United States or Canada citizenship or evidence of being legally entitled
to live and work in the United States. Such evidence may include notarized copies of birth certificates,
naturalization papers or current visa status.
(9) An applicant shall submit the application fee and state regulatory fee as provided in rule 0880-2-.02(1)
(a) and (g).
(10) All applicants shall submit or cause to be submitted a certificate of successful completion of the
examination for licensure as governed by rule 0880-2-.08.
(11) An international medical school student who has completed all but three (3) or less months of the three
(3) year residency program required by paragraph (5) of this rule may be allowed to apply for licensure if all
other requirements are met and the director of the residency program submits a letter attesting to the
applicant’s satisfactory performance in and anticipated successful completion of the residency. However, no
license shall be approved or issued until the requirements of paragraph (5) of this rule are met.
(12) An applicant shall disclose the circumstances surrounding any of the following:
(a) Conviction of any criminal law violation of any country, state, or municipality, except minor traffic violations.
(b) The denial of licensure application by any other state or the discipline of licensure in any state.
(c) Loss or restriction of hospital privileges.
(d) Any other civil suit judgment or civil suit settlement in which the applicant was a party defendant including,
without limitation, actions involving medical malpractice, breach of contract, antitrust activity or any other civil
action remedy recognized under any country’s or state’s statutory, common, or case law. (e) Failure of any
medical licensure examination.
(13) All documents required to be submitted shall be translated into English and such translation certified
along with the original document as to authenticity by the issuing source.
(14) The applicant shall cause to be submitted to the Board’s administrative office directly from the vendor
identified in the Board’s licensure application materials, the result of a criminal background check.
(15) Submission of any document or set of documents required by this rule or submission of verification of
the authenticity, validity and accuracy of the content of any document or set of documents required by this
rule directly from the FCVS to the Board Administrative Office shall be deemed to be submission of originals
of those documents or sets of documents by the issuing institution(s).
(16) Application review and licensure decisions shall be governed by rule 0880-2-.07. Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-
5-202, 4-5-204, 63-6-101, and 63-6-207. Administrative History: Original rule filed October 13, 1983; effective November 14,
1983. Subsequently repealed and replaced twice, the last replacement was effective April 12, 1991. Amendment filed February
23, 1995; effective May 9, 1995. Amendment filed March 29, 1996; effective June 12, 1996. Amendment filed July 10, 1997;
effective September 23, 1997. Amendment filed February 3, 1998; effective April 19, 1998. Amendment filed December 5,
2003; effective February 18, 2004. Amendment filed August 23, 2005; effective November 6, 2005. Amendment filed November
23, 2005; effective February 6, 2006. Amendment filed March 14, 2006; effective May 28, 2006. Amendment filed March 22,
2007; effective June 5, 2007. 0880-2-.05
LICENSURE OF OUT-OF-STATE AND INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS.
To practice medicine in Tennessee a person must possess a lawfully issued license from the Board. The
Board in its discretion may issue licensure based upon licensure in another state or distinguished faculty
status according to the following criteria, process and qualifications:
(1) An applicant shall obtain an application form from the Board Administrative Office, respond truthfully and
completely to every question or request for information contained in the form and submit it along with all
documentation and fees required by the form and this rule to the Board Administrative Office in such a
manner that all documents are dated not more than one (1) year prior to the date received in the Board
Administrative Office.
(2) An applicant shall submit a clear and recognizable, recently taken, bust photograph which shows the full
head, face forward from at least the top of the shoulders up.
(3) An applicant shall submit evidence of good moral character. Such evidence shall be two (2) recent (within
the six [6] months preceding the date the Board received the application) original letters from medical
professionals, attesting to the applicant's personal character and professional ethics on the signatory's
letterhead.
(4) An applicant shall submit proof of United States or Canada citizenship or evidence of being legally entitled
to live and work in the United States. Such evidence may include notarized copies of birth certificates,
naturalization papers or current visa status.
(5) An applicant shall submit with the application the application fee as provided in rule 0880-2-.02 (1) (a)
and the state regulatory fee as provided in rule 0880-2-.02 (1) (g).
(6) If an applicant has ever held a license to practice medicine in any other state or Canada, the applicant
shall submit or cause to be submitted the equivalent of a Tennessee Certificate of Endorsement from each
such licensing board which indicates the applicant either holds a current active medical license and whether
it is in good standing, or has held a medical license which is currently inactive and whether it was in good
standing at the time it became inactive;
(7) All applicants shall disclose the circumstances surrounding any of the following:
(a) Conviction of any criminal law violation of any country, state, or municipality, except minor traffic
violations. (b) The denial of licensure application by any other state or the discipline of licensure in any state.
(c) Loss or restriction of hospital privileges.
(d) Any other civil suit judgment or civil suit settlement in which the applicant was a party defendant including,
without limitation, actions involving medical malpractice, breach of contract, antitrust activity or any other civil
action remedy recognized under any country’s or state’s statutory, common, or case law.
(e) Failure of any medical licensure examination.
(8) Applicants attempting to qualify for licensure based on licensure in another state pursuant to T.C.A. §63-
6-211(a) are subject to the following:
(a) An applicant who has successfully completed FLEX or the National Board of Medical Examiners
examination in another state but has not become licensed in another state or Canada will not be considered
for licensure under this rule but may qualify by complying with all requirements of rule 0880-2-.03 or rule
0880-2-.04.
(b) An applicant shall cause to be submitted, evidence of successful completion of a medical educational
program as follows:
1. For United States or Canada medical school graduates, the documentation required by rule 0880-2-.03(2)
and 0880-2-.03(3).
2. For international medical school graduates, the documentation required by rules 0880-2-.04(2), (3), (4)
and (5) all of which must be translated into English.
(c) It is the applicant’s responsibility to request official verification of successful completion of one of the
following examinations be sent to the Board Administration Office directly from the examination agency.
1. FLEX - Completed in another state with a passing score as determined pursuant to rule 0880-2-.08; or
2. The written and/or practical state medical board examination successfully completed in another state prior
to December 1972 (date Tennessee began FLEX); or
3. The National Board of Medical Examiners examination with a certificate of endorsement indicating a
passing score; or
4. The Canadian Medical Board; or
5. The United States Medical Licensing Examination with a certification of endorsement indicating a passing
score.
(d) An applicant shall cause to be submitted the equivalent of a Tennessee certificate of endorsement from
the licensing board of at least one (1) state or Canada which indicates the applicant holds a current and
active medical license which is in good standing.
(9) Applicants attempting to qualify for licensure as a distinguished faculty member pursuant to T.
C.A. §63-6-211(b) are subject to the following:
(a) An applicant shall cause to be submitted evidence of successful completion of a medical education
program pursuant to either rule 0880-2-.03(2) or rule 0880-2-.04(2).
(b) An applicant shall cause to be submitted the following documentation:
1. A certification from an accredited medical college in Tennessee that the applicant has a full-time
appointment at the professorial rank; and
2. Letters of support attesting to the applicants distinguished status from all of the following: (i) The Dean of
the medical college appointing the applicant. (ii) All department chairmen at the appointing medical college
who are directly involved with the applicant’s faculty assignments. (iii) At least five (5) of the applicant’s
academic colleagues from outside of Tennessee in addition to the letters required by paragraph (3) of this
rule.
The academic colleagues shall include the following: (I) Other nationally or internationally recognized experts
in the applicant’s specialty area. (II) Former or current medical school deans; (c) An applicant must cause to
be submitted a certification of current and active membership in good standing in at least two (2) medical
specialty societies which have restricted and selective membership based on academic and/or practice
related criteria; (d) An applicant must cause the following documentation to be submitted: 1. A certification
from at least two (2) medical educational institutions either abroad or in the United States that the applicant
has been or was invited to be a lecturer or visiting professor along with the applicable dates, lecture topics
and/or educational assignments. 2. The dates, location and sponsoring specialty organizations for at least
two (2) national or international medical meetings at which the applicant delivered scholarly medical papers
along with copies of at least two (2) such delivered papers. The meetings must have been conducted by or
for the applicant’s specialty membership; (e) The appointing medical college shall immediately notify the
Board at any time that an applicant who obtains distinguished faculty licensure ceases to maintain a full-time
professorial appointment; and (f) Any license issued to a distinguished faculty member shall automatically
expire at any time the licensee fails to maintain a full-time professorial appointment and authorized medical
practice only in conjunction with the medical college at which the appointment is held. (10) Any applicant for
any type of licensure authorized by this rule shall cause to be submitted to the Board’s administrative office
directly from the vendor identified in the Board’s licensure application materials, the result of a criminal
background check. (11) Submission of any document or set of documents required by this rule or submission
of verification of the authenticity, validity and accuracy of the content of any document or set of documents
required by this rule directly from the FCVS to the Board Administrative Office shall be deemed to be
submission of originals of those documents or sets of documents by the issuing institution(s). (12) Application
review and licensure decisions shall be governed by rule 0880-2-.07.
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 63-6-101, and 63-6-207. Administrative History: Original rule filed October 13, 1983;
effective November 14, 1983. Repeal and new rule filed May 10, 1987; effective July 24, 1987. Repeal and new rule filed
February 26, 1991; effective April 12, 1991. Amendment filed January 10, 1992; effective February 24, 1992. Amendment filed
April 14, 1994; effective June 28, 1994. Amendment filed March 29, 1996; effective June 12, 1996. Amendment filed February 3,
1998; effective April 19, 1998. Amendment filed December 5, 2003; effective February 18, 2004. Amendment filed August 23,
2005; effective November 6, 2005. Amendment filed March 14, 2006; effective May 28, 2006. Amendment filed March 22, 2007;
effective June 6, 2007.
To practice medicine in Tennessee a person must possess a lawfully issued license from the board. The
procedure for obtaining a license is as follows:
(1) An applicant shall obtain an application form from the Board Administrative Office, respond truthfully and
completely to every question or request for information contained in the form and submit it along with all
documentation and fees required by the form and this rule to the Board Administrative Office. It is the intent
of this rule that all activities necessary to accomplish the filing of the required documentation be completed
prior to filing a licensure application and that all documentation be filed simultaneously.
(2) It is the applicant’s responsibility to request a graduate transcript from a medical school approved by the
American Medical Association or its extant accreditation program for medical education or its successor be
submitted directly from the school to the Board Administrative Office. The transcript must show that the
degree has been conferred and carry the official seal of the institution.
(3) An applicant shall submit evidence satisfactory to the Board of successful completion of a one (1) year
United States training program approved by the American Medical Association or its extant accreditation
program for medical education or its successor. Such evidence shall include but not be dispositive of this
requirement, a notarized certificate of completion and a letter attesting to satisfactory completion issued by
the director of the program which shall indicate that the training was completed entirely after receipt of a
medical degree in one continuous program in any one of the recognized medical specialty areas.
(4) An applicant shall submit a clear and recognizable, recently taken, bust photograph which shows the full
head, face forward from at least the top of the shoulders up.
(5) An applicant shall submit evidence of good moral character. Such evidence shall be two (2) recent (within
the six [6] months preceding the date the Board received the application) original letters from medical
professionals, attesting to the applicant's personal character and professional ethics on the signatory's
letterhead.
(6) An applicant shall submit proof of United States or Canada citizenship or evidence of being legally entitled
to live and work in the United States. Such evidence may include notarized copies of birth certificates,
naturalization papers or current visa status.
(7) An applicant shall submit the application fee and state regulatory fee as provided in rule 0880-2-.02(1)
(a) and (g).
(8) All applicants shall submit or cause to be submitted a certificate of successful completion of the
examination for licensure as governed by rule 0880-2-.08.
(9) All applicants shall disclose the circumstances surrounding any of the following: (a) Conviction of any
criminal law violation of any country, state, or municipality, except minor traffic violations. (b) The denial of
licensure application by any other state or the discipline of licensure in any state. (c) Loss or restriction of
hospital privileges. (d) Any other civil suit judgment or civil suit settlement in which the applicant was a party
defendant including, without limitation, actions involving medical malpractice, breach of contract, antitrust
activity or any other civil action remedy recognized under any country’s or state’s statutory, common, or case
law. (e) Failure of any medical licensure examination.
(10) An applicant who has completed all but three (3) or less months of the one (1) year training program
required by paragraph (3) of this rule may apply for licensure if all other requirements of this rule are met
and the director of the training program submits a letter attesting to the applicant’s satisfactory performance
in and anticipated successful completion of the training program. However, no license shall be approved or
issued until the requirements of paragraph (3) of this rule are met.
(11) The applicant shall cause to be submitted to the Board’s administrative office directly from the vendor
identified in the Board’s licensure application materials, the result of a criminal background check.
(12) Submission of any document or set of documents required by this rule or submission of verification of
the authenticity, validity and accuracy of the content of any document or set of documents required by this
rule directly from the FCVS to the Board Administrative Office shall be deemed to be submission of originals
of those documents or sets of documents by the issuing institution(s).
(13) Application review and licensure decisions shall be governed by rule 0880-2-.07. Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-
202, 4-5-204, 63-6-101, and 63-6-207. Administrative History: Original rule filed October 13, 1983; effective November 14, 1983. Subsequently
repealed and replaced twice, the last replacement October, 2007 (Revised) 4 (Rule 0880-2-.03, continued) was effective April 12, 1991.
Amendment filed November 27, 1991; effective February 26, 1992. Amendment filed December 29, 1992; effective February 15, 1993.
Amendment filed February 23, 1995; effective May 9, 1995. Amendment filed February 3, 1998; effective April 19, 1998. Amendment filed
December 5, 2003; effective February 18, 2004. Amendment filed August 23, 2005; effective November 6, 2005. Amendment filed March 14,
2006; effective May 28, 2006. Amendment filed March 22, 2007; effective June 5, 2007. 0880-2-.04
LICENSURE PROCESS-INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL SCHOOL GRADUATES.
To practice medicine in Tennessee a person must possess a lawfully issued license from the board. The
procedure for obtaining a license is as follows:
(1) An applicant shall obtain an application form from the Board Administrative Office, respond truthfully and
completely to every question or request for information contained in the form and submit it along with all
documentation and fees required by the form and this rule to the Board Administrative Office. It is the intent
of this rule that all activities necessary to accomplish the filing of the required documentation be completed
prior to filing a licensure application and that all documentation be filed simultaneously.
(2) It is the applicant’s responsibility to request a graduate transcript from a medical school approved by the
American Medical Association or its extant accreditation program for medical education or its successor be
submitted directly from the school to the Board Administrative Office. The transcript must show that the
degree has been conferred and carry the official seal of the institution.
(3) To be a Board approved international medical school for purposes of this rule the school shall meet the
following curriculum criteria:
(a) All courses must have been completed by personal attendance. No international medical school
accepting or providing credits for courses taken by correspondence shall be approved.
(b) Course instruction must consist of the equivalent of at least four (4) academic years with a minimum of
thirty-two (32) weeks of relevant medical instruction each academic year.
(c) The school shall be recognized by the World Health Organization but such recognition is not binding on
the Board.
(d) The school’s admission standards must meet or exceed those of medical schools accredited by the
Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
(e) Acceptable medical educational courses and activities must have been centrally organized, integrated
and controlled into a continuous program which was conducted, monitored and approved by the parent
institution.
(f) If the school does not meet these requirements the applicant cannot obtain a license in Tennessee.
(4) An applicant shall cause to be submitted a notarized copy of the original permanent E.C.F.M.G.
certificate. In lieu of the certificate the following shall be acceptable:
(a) Graduates of Mexican medical schools may submit a letter from the E.C.F.M.G. stating all requirements
for issuance of a certificate have been met.
(b) For all applicants who cannot receive the original or copies of the original certificate due to the phase out
of the E.C.F.M.G. must have submitted directly from the testing agency to the Board’s Administrative Office
proof of successful completion of the U.S.M.L.E. Steps 1 & 2 which are the equivalent of the old E.C.F.M.G.
certificates.
(c) For applicants who have completed the E.C.F.M.G. requirements by utilization of the fifth pathway, all
necessary supporting documentation from the E.C.F.M.G. and the institution wherein the fifth pathway criteria
were met.
(5) An applicant shall submit evidence satisfactory to the Board of successful completion of a three (3) year
residency program approved by the American Medical Association or its extant accreditation program for
medical education or its successor. Such evidence shall include but not be dispositive of this requirement, a
notarized certificate of completion and a letter attesting to satisfactory completion issued by the director of
the program which shows that the residency was completed in one (1) discipline. An applicant who holds a
specialty board certification or is eligible to hold such certification may be deemed to have completed the
three (3) year residency requirement of this rule if the specialty board is recognized and is a member of the
American Board of Medical Specialties.
(6) An applicant shall submit a clear and recognizable, recently taken, bust photograph which shows the full
head, face forward from at least the top of the shoulders up.
(7) An applicant shall submit evidence of good moral character. Such evidence shall be two (2) recent (within
the six [6] months preceding the date the Board received the application) original letters from medical
professionals, attesting to the applicant's personal character and professional ethics on the signatory's
letterhead.
(8) An applicant shall submit proof of United States or Canada citizenship or evidence of being legally entitled
to live and work in the United States. Such evidence may include notarized copies of birth certificates,
naturalization papers or current visa status.
(9) An applicant shall submit the application fee and state regulatory fee as provided in rule 0880-2-.02(1)
(a) and (g).
(10) All applicants shall submit or cause to be submitted a certificate of successful completion of the
examination for licensure as governed by rule 0880-2-.08.
(11) An international medical school student who has completed all but three (3) or less months of the three
(3) year residency program required by paragraph (5) of this rule may be allowed to apply for licensure if all
other requirements are met and the director of the residency program submits a letter attesting to the
applicant’s satisfactory performance in and anticipated successful completion of the residency. However, no
license shall be approved or issued until the requirements of paragraph (5) of this rule are met.
(12) An applicant shall disclose the circumstances surrounding any of the following:
(a) Conviction of any criminal law violation of any country, state, or municipality, except minor traffic violations.
(b) The denial of licensure application by any other state or the discipline of licensure in any state.
(c) Loss or restriction of hospital privileges.
(d) Any other civil suit judgment or civil suit settlement in which the applicant was a party defendant including,
without limitation, actions involving medical malpractice, breach of contract, antitrust activity or any other civil
action remedy recognized under any country’s or state’s statutory, common, or case law. (e) Failure of any
medical licensure examination.
(13) All documents required to be submitted shall be translated into English and such translation certified
along with the original document as to authenticity by the issuing source.
(14) The applicant shall cause to be submitted to the Board’s administrative office directly from the vendor
identified in the Board’s licensure application materials, the result of a criminal background check.
(15) Submission of any document or set of documents required by this rule or submission of verification of
the authenticity, validity and accuracy of the content of any document or set of documents required by this
rule directly from the FCVS to the Board Administrative Office shall be deemed to be submission of originals
of those documents or sets of documents by the issuing institution(s).
(16) Application review and licensure decisions shall be governed by rule 0880-2-.07. Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-
5-202, 4-5-204, 63-6-101, and 63-6-207. Administrative History: Original rule filed October 13, 1983; effective November 14,
1983. Subsequently repealed and replaced twice, the last replacement was effective April 12, 1991. Amendment filed February
23, 1995; effective May 9, 1995. Amendment filed March 29, 1996; effective June 12, 1996. Amendment filed July 10, 1997;
effective September 23, 1997. Amendment filed February 3, 1998; effective April 19, 1998. Amendment filed December 5,
2003; effective February 18, 2004. Amendment filed August 23, 2005; effective November 6, 2005. Amendment filed November
23, 2005; effective February 6, 2006. Amendment filed March 14, 2006; effective May 28, 2006. Amendment filed March 22,
2007; effective June 5, 2007. 0880-2-.05
LICENSURE OF OUT-OF-STATE AND INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS.
To practice medicine in Tennessee a person must possess a lawfully issued license from the Board. The
Board in its discretion may issue licensure based upon licensure in another state or distinguished faculty
status according to the following criteria, process and qualifications:
(1) An applicant shall obtain an application form from the Board Administrative Office, respond truthfully and
completely to every question or request for information contained in the form and submit it along with all
documentation and fees required by the form and this rule to the Board Administrative Office in such a
manner that all documents are dated not more than one (1) year prior to the date received in the Board
Administrative Office.
(2) An applicant shall submit a clear and recognizable, recently taken, bust photograph which shows the full
head, face forward from at least the top of the shoulders up.
(3) An applicant shall submit evidence of good moral character. Such evidence shall be two (2) recent (within
the six [6] months preceding the date the Board received the application) original letters from medical
professionals, attesting to the applicant's personal character and professional ethics on the signatory's
letterhead.
(4) An applicant shall submit proof of United States or Canada citizenship or evidence of being legally entitled
to live and work in the United States. Such evidence may include notarized copies of birth certificates,
naturalization papers or current visa status.
(5) An applicant shall submit with the application the application fee as provided in rule 0880-2-.02 (1) (a)
and the state regulatory fee as provided in rule 0880-2-.02 (1) (g).
(6) If an applicant has ever held a license to practice medicine in any other state or Canada, the applicant
shall submit or cause to be submitted the equivalent of a Tennessee Certificate of Endorsement from each
such licensing board which indicates the applicant either holds a current active medical license and whether
it is in good standing, or has held a medical license which is currently inactive and whether it was in good
standing at the time it became inactive;
(7) All applicants shall disclose the circumstances surrounding any of the following:
(a) Conviction of any criminal law violation of any country, state, or municipality, except minor traffic
violations. (b) The denial of licensure application by any other state or the discipline of licensure in any state.
(c) Loss or restriction of hospital privileges.
(d) Any other civil suit judgment or civil suit settlement in which the applicant was a party defendant including,
without limitation, actions involving medical malpractice, breach of contract, antitrust activity or any other civil
action remedy recognized under any country’s or state’s statutory, common, or case law.
(e) Failure of any medical licensure examination.
(8) Applicants attempting to qualify for licensure based on licensure in another state pursuant to T.C.A. §63-
6-211(a) are subject to the following:
(a) An applicant who has successfully completed FLEX or the National Board of Medical Examiners
examination in another state but has not become licensed in another state or Canada will not be considered
for licensure under this rule but may qualify by complying with all requirements of rule 0880-2-.03 or rule
0880-2-.04.
(b) An applicant shall cause to be submitted, evidence of successful completion of a medical educational
program as follows:
1. For United States or Canada medical school graduates, the documentation required by rule 0880-2-.03(2)
and 0880-2-.03(3).
2. For international medical school graduates, the documentation required by rules 0880-2-.04(2), (3), (4)
and (5) all of which must be translated into English.
(c) It is the applicant’s responsibility to request official verification of successful completion of one of the
following examinations be sent to the Board Administration Office directly from the examination agency.
1. FLEX - Completed in another state with a passing score as determined pursuant to rule 0880-2-.08; or
2. The written and/or practical state medical board examination successfully completed in another state prior
to December 1972 (date Tennessee began FLEX); or
3. The National Board of Medical Examiners examination with a certificate of endorsement indicating a
passing score; or
4. The Canadian Medical Board; or
5. The United States Medical Licensing Examination with a certification of endorsement indicating a passing
score.
(d) An applicant shall cause to be submitted the equivalent of a Tennessee certificate of endorsement from
the licensing board of at least one (1) state or Canada which indicates the applicant holds a current and
active medical license which is in good standing.
(9) Applicants attempting to qualify for licensure as a distinguished faculty member pursuant to T.
C.A. §63-6-211(b) are subject to the following:
(a) An applicant shall cause to be submitted evidence of successful completion of a medical education
program pursuant to either rule 0880-2-.03(2) or rule 0880-2-.04(2).
(b) An applicant shall cause to be submitted the following documentation:
1. A certification from an accredited medical college in Tennessee that the applicant has a full-time
appointment at the professorial rank; and
2. Letters of support attesting to the applicants distinguished status from all of the following: (i) The Dean of
the medical college appointing the applicant. (ii) All department chairmen at the appointing medical college
who are directly involved with the applicant’s faculty assignments. (iii) At least five (5) of the applicant’s
academic colleagues from outside of Tennessee in addition to the letters required by paragraph (3) of this
rule.
The academic colleagues shall include the following: (I) Other nationally or internationally recognized experts
in the applicant’s specialty area. (II) Former or current medical school deans; (c) An applicant must cause to
be submitted a certification of current and active membership in good standing in at least two (2) medical
specialty societies which have restricted and selective membership based on academic and/or practice
related criteria; (d) An applicant must cause the following documentation to be submitted: 1. A certification
from at least two (2) medical educational institutions either abroad or in the United States that the applicant
has been or was invited to be a lecturer or visiting professor along with the applicable dates, lecture topics
and/or educational assignments. 2. The dates, location and sponsoring specialty organizations for at least
two (2) national or international medical meetings at which the applicant delivered scholarly medical papers
along with copies of at least two (2) such delivered papers. The meetings must have been conducted by or
for the applicant’s specialty membership; (e) The appointing medical college shall immediately notify the
Board at any time that an applicant who obtains distinguished faculty licensure ceases to maintain a full-time
professorial appointment; and (f) Any license issued to a distinguished faculty member shall automatically
expire at any time the licensee fails to maintain a full-time professorial appointment and authorized medical
practice only in conjunction with the medical college at which the appointment is held. (10) Any applicant for
any type of licensure authorized by this rule shall cause to be submitted to the Board’s administrative office
directly from the vendor identified in the Board’s licensure application materials, the result of a criminal
background check. (11) Submission of any document or set of documents required by this rule or submission
of verification of the authenticity, validity and accuracy of the content of any document or set of documents
required by this rule directly from the FCVS to the Board Administrative Office shall be deemed to be
submission of originals of those documents or sets of documents by the issuing institution(s). (12) Application
review and licensure decisions shall be governed by rule 0880-2-.07.
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 63-6-101, and 63-6-207. Administrative History: Original rule filed October 13, 1983;
effective November 14, 1983. Repeal and new rule filed May 10, 1987; effective July 24, 1987. Repeal and new rule filed
February 26, 1991; effective April 12, 1991. Amendment filed January 10, 1992; effective February 24, 1992. Amendment filed
April 14, 1994; effective June 28, 1994. Amendment filed March 29, 1996; effective June 12, 1996. Amendment filed February 3,
1998; effective April 19, 1998. Amendment filed December 5, 2003; effective February 18, 2004. Amendment filed August 23,
2005; effective November 6, 2005. Amendment filed March 14, 2006; effective May 28, 2006. Amendment filed March 22, 2007;
effective June 6, 2007.
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