- (1) Active Practice: A physician may be said to be in active clinical practice when any amount of direct patient care has been provided during the preceding two years in any jurisdiction of the United States or Canada, including territories.
- (2) Direct Patient Care: Direct patient care has been provided when a physician treats, or professes to diagnose, treat, perform surgery on, or prescribe medication to a patient for any physical ailment or injury in a clinical or professional setting.
- (3) Burden of Proof: The reentry candidate shall have the burden of providing appropriate proof of direct patient care. Ideally, such proof will include a patient chart but may include other documentation as deemed appropriate by the Board.
- (4) Two-Year Period: The beginning of the two-year period will begin from the date the physician last provided direct patient care and will be tolled by the filing of an initial or reinstatement application for a certificate of qualification to practice medicine or a medical license reinstatement application.
- (5) Board: Alabama Board of Medical Examiners
- (6) Commission: Medical Licensure Commission of Alabama
Author: Alabama Board of Medical Examiners
Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-24-53, 34-24-53.1, 34-24-70, 34-24-337, 34-24-360, 34-24-360.1, 34-24-361.
History: New Rule: Filed April 16, 2019; effective May 31, 2019. Amended: Published November 26, 2025; effective January 10, 2026.