TEXAS MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Resolution 301 (A-07)
Subject: Parity for International Medical Graduates with U.S. Medical Graduates in Years of GME Requirement for Licensure
Introduced by: International Medical Graduate Section
Referred to: Reference Committee on Science and Education
Whereas, State law directs the Texas Medical Board to require IMGs (International Medical Graduates) to complete three years of GME (Graduate Medical Education) training to be eligible for licensure while requiring only one year of GME training for USMGs (LCME accredited U.S. or Canadian Medical School Graduates); and
Whereas, Before being admitted into U.S. GME training, IMGs must complete a rigorous credentialing and testing process by the ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates); and
Whereas, The qualifying examinations used by the ECFMG for testing IMGs assess basic science and clinical knowledge, problem solving and clinical encounter skills, and match or exceed the standards used for USMGs; and
Whereas, IMGs undergo the same GME training as USMGs at the same ACGME accredited training programs, satisfying all the same educational and performance standards; and
Whereas, The performance of the public assurance and protection goals and duties of our Texas Medical Board are therefore adequately satisfied without imposing additional requirements on IMGs more than those required for USMGs; and
Whereas, The Texas Medical Association supports and promotes the right of every licensed physician to be treated meritoriously without being subjected to discrimination based on national original or geographic location of medical school; and
Whereas, The imposition of additional GME training requirements for IMGs poses gratuitous hardship on IMGs in planning and starting a career after GME training, such as waiting one whole academic year; and
RESOLVED, That our Texas Medical Association adopt policy supporting parity in the number of years of GME training required for IMGs and USMGs to obtain state medical licensure; and be it further
RESOLVED, That our Texas Medical Association adhere to policy related to non-discrimination among physicians.
Relevant TMA Policy
205.020 Physician Discrimination . TMA supports and promotes the right of every licensed physician to be treated meritoriously without being subjected to discrimination based on national original or geographic location of medical school (Amended Res. 301-I99).
TMA House of Delegates: TexMed 2007