1. (1) To qualify for a permit to practice as a bridge year graduate physician, an individual must meet the following requirements:

   1. (a) Medical Education Requirement: Provide evidence, satisfactory to the Board, of graduation from any of the following institutions:

      1. 1. A college of medicine or school of medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
      2. 2. A college of osteopathy accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation.

      3. 3. A college of medicine or school of medicine not accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education which is approved by the Board. The Board, within its discretion, may withhold approval of any college of medicine not designated in either 1. or 2. which:

         1. (i) Has had its accreditation withdrawn by a national or regional accreditation organization; or
         2. (ii) Has had its authorization, certification, or licensure revoked or withdrawn by a national or regional governmental supervisory agency; or
         3. (iii) Has been denied approval or has had its approval withdrawn by any national, state, or territorial licensing jurisdiction based upon any evaluation of the college of medicine or upon a finding of misconduct by the college; or
         4. (iv) Has engaged in fraudulent, criminal, or other practices which are inconsistent with quality medical education, as determined by the Board.

   2. (b) Examination Requirement: Applicants shall achieve a passing score on one of the licensure examinations listed below:

      1. 1. Steps 1 and 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
      2. 2. The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) or its predecessor examination administered by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners.
      3. 3. The Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada Examination.
      4. 4. Documentation submitted through the Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS) may be accepted to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of this rule.

   3. (c) Application for Postgraduate Education Requirement: Has applied for, but was not accepted into, any of the following postgraduate or residency training programs for the first year following medical school graduation:

      1. 1.   A program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
      2. 2.   A program accredited by the American Osteopathic Association.
      3. 3.   A program accredited by the Accreditation Committee of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
      4. 4.   A program accredited by the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
2. (2)  Waiver of Postgraduate Education Application Requirement: The Board, in its discretion, may waive the one-year requirement listed in Paragraph (1)(c) above for those applicants who are otherwise eligible, meet all other requirements for issuance of a permit, and are no more than two (2) years post medical school graduation. The waiver request must be submitted with the application.

Author: Alabama Board of Medical Examiners

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-24-75.2 and Act No. 23-233.

History: New Rule: Published May 31, 2024; effective July 15, 2024.