Unrestricted license may now be applied for by graduates of foreign medical schools provided they can comply with the following requirements and meet the approval of the Arkansas State Medical Board:

1. (1) Be twenty-one (21) years of age;
2. (2) Be of good moral character;
3. (3) Demonstrate in a personal interview the ability to read, write, and speak English fluently, and also demonstrate adequate training and ability sufficient to permit the practice of medicine in accordance with accepted medical practice in the State of Arkansas;

4. (4) Present documented evidence that he or she:

   1. (A) Served three (3) years as an intern, resident, fellow, or a combination thereof in an accredited postgraduate medical education program in the United States;
   2. (B) Served three (3) years as an intern or resident in a postgraduate medical education program outside the United States, completed all steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), obtained Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates certification, and either completed one (1) year or more of fellowship training accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in the United States or received American Board of Medical Specialties certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties; or

   3. (C)

      1. (i) Completed one (1) year as an intern or resident in an accredited postgraduate medical program in the United States and be currently enrolled in an accredited postgraduate medical program in Arkansas.
      2. (ii) The applicant should further provide a letter of recommendation from the Intern or Residency Director outlining the applicant physician’s competence in the practice of medicine and his or her ability to appropriately interact with patients and other medical staff;
5. (5) Provide indisputable identification;
6. (6) Present a Standard ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates Examination) certificate; and

7. (7)

   1. (A) Present proof of successful completion of Steps 1, 2, and 3 of the USMLE.

   2. (B)

      1. (i) The applicant must successfully complete each step in no more than three (3) attempts per step.
      2. (ii) A waiver may be granted by the Arkansas State Medical Board, if requested by the applicant, from the "three (3) attempts per step limit" for Step 1 and/or Step 2.
      3. (iii) The waiver will be granted if the Arkansas State Medical Board finds that the applicant can show documentation and proof that he or she suffered from a significant health condition or personal problem, and that by its severity would necessarily cause delay to the applicant's medical education and successful completion of the step testing.
      4. (iv) The waiver will not exceed four (4) attempts per step.

      5. (v) A waiver may also be granted to the “three (3) attempts per step limit” on Step 3 not to exceed four (4) attempts if:

         1. (a) (a) The applicant has completed one (1) year of approved graduate medical education after the third failed attempt and before the fourth and final attempt at Step 3; or
         2. (b) (b) The applicant can show proof that he or she is certified in a specialty board by the American Board of Medical Specialties.