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Endorsing Examinations:
 

Arizona has no reciprocity with any State. That is, Arizona does not grant a doctor a license held in another State. The Arizona Board would grant him a license based upon the written examination he has taken. Therefore, he is granted a license THROUGH ENDORSEMENT of his written examination. His examination, in this case, is within ten years of being taken.

If the doctor is required to sit for the Spex examination, and is applying for an Arizona license, he is applying under SPEX EXAMINATION. The same applies if he is required to sit for the USMLE Step III exam. He would be applying under USMLE EXAMINATION. Both of these terms, or situations would be listed on the doctor's application as applying under WRITTEN EXAMINATION.

Examinations Endorsed by Arizona:
 
  • National Board of Medical Examiners:

    Parts I and II of this examination is generally done during medical school. Part III is given after graduation. Arizona endorses by the date that the doctor was certified by the NBME, rather than the date he took the exam. Part III is given the year after graduation from medical school.

  • Flex Examination:

If applicant's Flex exam was taken prior to January 1, 1985, it must have been taken in one sitting, and must have achieved a Flex weighted average of at least 75. If Flex exam was taken after January 1, 1985, both Components I and II must have been passed within a 5 year period and must have received a score of at least 75 in each Component.

The Flex exam was last given in December, 1993. Both foreign and American medical graduates have taken this exam. (Mostly foreign medical graduates.)

  • State Written/Oral Examinations:

This exam was mostly taken by the older, or established doctors. Puerto Rico is the only State where we receive verification that this exam is still given today.

During the application process when we ask for verification of the doctor's license, if he has taken a written exam in that state, the scores received, and the subjects taken are attached.

A doctor could also have taken more than one written exam in different states. We usually ask for the verification of the original written exam.

  • USMLE Examination:

    USMLE Step I and II are administered at test centers established by the National Board of Medical Examiners, and by the ECFMG. Step III is administered by individual medical licensing authorities of the US and its territories. Information, test materials, etc., for American medical graduates are through the National Board of Medical Examiners. For the Foreign medical graduates are through the ECFMG.

    USMLE Step III exam is given entirely through the Federation of State Medical Boards. General inquiries to be made to the USMLE Secretariat.

    An initial applicant (first time licensee) must have taken all three steps within 1 seven year period after first sitting for step one, with at least a score of 75 in each step to qualify for Arizona licensure. Again the Step III is given entirely through the Federation of State Medical Boards. The fees, materials, etc., are received by the Federation. If the doctor is taking the exam, but not applying for licensure, he is required to be in a training program in Arizona for at least nine months at the time of application. If the doctor is applying for licensure in Arizona, he will need to be in a training program in Arizona for at least six months at the time of application.

All required materials, and fees, are processed pending the exam scores. (the exam results are received from 6-8 weeks of exam)

  • Combinations of Exam are Acceptable as Follows:

    Parts One and Two of the NBME and either Step Three of the USMLE of Component II of the Flex, with a scaled score of at least 75. OR,
    Flex Component I and Step III of the USMLE with a scaled score of 75, or, each of the following:

    • NBME Part I or Step I of the USMLE with a scaled score of 75
    • NBME Part Two or Step One of the USMLE with a scaled score of 75
    • NBME Part Three or Step Three of the USMLE or Component II of FLEX with a scaled score of 75

    If applicant's written examination was the USMLE exam and the applicant does not hold a license in another state, all three Steps must have been taken within a 7 year period after the first sitting for step one and must have received at least a 75 in each Step.

  • LMCC:

    This examination is for Canadian Graduates. (Licensing Medical Council of Canada) It is taken only in Canada. It is accepted for Arizona licensure.

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