If you're an International Medical Graduate (IMG) seeking to work in Arkansas, you need to familiarize yourself with the specific requirements for IMGs seeking medical licenses in that particular state. Even if you've already earned a license to practice elsewhere in the US, because every state has its own standards and criteria for licensing IMGs, you may still need to complete additional steps to earn a license in Arkansas.
IMGs often face a range of difficulties that are not faced by those who graduated from medical schools in the US. At the Lento Law Firm, our Professional License Defense Team can help you navigate these challenges, potentially simplifying the process of getting licensed. Learn more about how we can help you practice medicine in Arkansas by submitting your information through our online contact form or calling us at 888-535-3686 to discuss the specifics of your case.
Who Provides Medical Licenses for IMGs in Arkansas?
The Arkansas State Medical Board (ASMB) is responsible for licensing the following medical professionals and healthcare workers:
- Doctors of Osteopathy
- Occupational Therapy Assistants
- Occupational Therapists
- Physician Assistants
- Radiology Practitioner Assistants
- Respiratory Therapists
- Medical doctors
If you're an IMG seeking a license for any of the above in Arkansas, you must do so through the ASMB.
Requirements for Getting Licensed in Arkansas When You're an IMG
Per the ASMB, an IMG who applies for a medical license in Arkansas must have satisfied at least ONE of the following requirements for their application to be considered:
- Completing at least three years of postgraduate training in the US
- Completing at least three years of postgraduate training outside the US, passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), having an Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) license, completing at least one year of fellowship in the US, and being certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)
- Completing at least one year of postgraduate training in the US and, at the time of submitting an application, being enrolled in an accredited postgraduate training program based in Arkansas
You must also have fulfilled ONE of the following requirements by the time you submit your application:
- Completing three years of residency or internship in a US-based program with ACGME approval
- Completing at least three years of residency or internship at a non-US postgraduate medical training program, completing at least one year of fellowship training in a US-based and ACGME-approved program, and receiving ABMS certification
- Completing at least one year of internship or residency in a US-based ACGME program while currently being enrolled in an approved postgraduate training program in Arkansas
Additional requirements that apply to IMGs seeking medical licenses in Arkansas, both of which you MUST meet, are:
- Receiving a Standard ECFMG certification
- Taking and passing the USMLE in no more than three attempts
Proving you satisfy all these requirements can be a complex process. If there are any errors or accidental omissions in your application, you may have to apply again before receiving a license. This is just one example of the type of issue that may prove less bothersome if you enlist the help of the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team as an IMG applying for a medical license in Arkansas.
General Requirements to Apply for a Medical License in Arkansas
The ASMB also provides information about requirements that apply to all applicants seeking medical licenses in Arkansas. Whether you're an IMG or not, before applying for a license through the ASMB, you must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Not be guilty of unprofessional conduct as the Arkansas Medical Practices Act defines it
- Undergo a background check that aligns with the standards of the Arkansas Medical Practices Act
- Have graduated from a medical school the ASMB approves of
- Have completed a minimum of one year of fellowship or residency in the US in a program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
- Have, within three attempts, taken and passed all parts of the USMLE or another such approved examination
Applicants must also present the following upon submitting their applications:
- “Indisputable” identification
- An application fee of $20 and a $100 Centralized Credentials Verification Service (CCVS) Assessment fee, for a total of $120
In addition, you must request that your medical school send a certified copy of your transcript to the board.
Gathering the documentation necessary to show that you meet these requirements can be a time-consuming process. This is particularly true if you're an IMG who may have to coordinate with international medical schools and other such parties to ensure your documentation is thorough and complete.
This is one way in which the Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can assist you. If you're struggling to get licensed as an IMG in Arkansas due to a lack of documentation or incomplete application information, we can provide valuable assistance.
Licensing Issues an IMG May Face in Arkansas
Licensing issues and difficulties can take many forms. The following are just a few examples of common issues that IMGs in Arkansas may struggle with:
- Verifying credentials: The ASMB's goal is to ensure that all licensed medical professionals in Arkansas satisfy the same basic requirements to ensure the safety of the public. Thus, the ASMB wants to confirm that the credentials an IMG received from an international medical school or training program indicate the quality of training they received meets the standards of the ASMB. An IMG could face challenges earning a medical license if the ASMB struggles to verify certain credentials or suggests an applicant's credentials don't indicate sufficient training.
- Lack of documentation: It can sometimes be difficult for an IMG to secure the documentation necessary to show they've completed an international medical school's program. In some instances, relations between the US and the country where an IMG is studied are strained, making it difficult to coordinate with institutions in that country. In some countries, the ways in which medical schools document student training and progress may differ from how medical schools in the US document student progress. Thus, the documentation the ASMB requires might not be immediately available.
- Unconscious bias: It's worth noting that IMGs represent approximately a quarter of practicing or training physicians in the US. Despite playing a significant role in the US healthcare system, research indicates that IMGs may face a range of challenges that are not faced by those who graduate from US medical schools. Some of these challenges involve language barriers and cultural issues. IMGs have also reported experiencing racial discrimination. As such, it's unreasonable to state that unconscious bias or similar factors never influence the process when an IMG seeks a medical license in Arkansas.
- Professional conduct issues: Again, whether an IMG or not, anyone seeking a medical license in Arkansas must have a past free of unprofessional behavior as the Arkansas Medical Act defines it. However, perhaps an incident in an IMG's past resulted in accusations of unprofessional conduct in their home country, but not necessarily in a way that would be of concern in the US. For instance, perhaps in an IMG's home country, accusations of unprofessional conduct can result simply from violating cultural norms that don't apply here. In some instances, an IMG who nevertheless deserves to receive a medical license could struggle due to misunderstandings about such incidents in the past.
- Unreasonable delays: An IMG who's devoted years of their life to pursuing a career that involves helping other people is likely someone with patience. They may understand that it can take some time for a medical board to process a license application. This is particularly true when an applicant studies in another country. The board may need extra time to process such an application to ensure an applicant is truly qualified to practice medicine in the US. However, due to factors such as bias, those responsible for processing an IMG's application may delay the process to an unreasonable degree.
Again, those are just a few examples of the unique issues an IMG could face when applying for a medical license in Arkansas. They don't represent all the challenges that could arise during this process.
If you face any of the above challenges, or if another such licensing struggle prevents you from moving forward in your career, strongly consider discussing the matter with qualified attorneys. At the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team, we can help you navigate such challenges.
What to Do When Facing Licensing Issues as an IMG in Arkansas
The research cited above also indicates that IMGs may face a greater deal of stress than their US-trained counterparts. Partially, this is due to the natural stress someone might experience when adapting to living in a new country.
In an already stressful situation, you might understandably be very frustrated when learning that an issue has arisen during the processing of your Arkansas medical license application. Knowing how to respond in these circumstances can play a significant role in your case's outcome.
If the ASMB or another such party alerts you to a problem with your application, take the following steps:
- Understand what's required of you: Take a deep breath and realize that a single complication typically doesn't mean you'll never be able to practice medicine in the US. Calmly review all the information and documentation you receive from the ASMB or other relevant party. Your goal is to ensure you thoroughly understand the nature of the complication you're now facing. Once you understand the complication and what's required of you, you can address the issue with greater confidence.
- Check your credentials: Thoroughly verifying your credentials before submitting an application is one way to potentially guard against these types of issues in the first place. That said, if an issue does arise, it could be simply a complication resulting from a minor error or a single missing document. Recheck all your documents and verify all your credentials to confirm a minor problem isn't responsible for a more significant delay.
- Contact the licensing authority: Contact the ASMB or any other licensing authority that alerted you to an issue if you're still not sure you thoroughly understand the nature of the problem. Contacting the authority for clarification may help you understand why your application is delayed and what you can do about it. However, contacting the authority for more information is not the same as attempting to address the issue yourself, which may be inadvisable if the solution isn't something minor (like correcting a small error on a form).
- Save documentation: Now that you're aware of a licensing issue, save any documentation related to it. Naturally, this includes your existing application documentation. It can also include documentation of correspondence, phone calls, meetings, etc., related to your case. Although this isn't a criminal matter, it can help to think of the case like one, as you gather documentation the same way you'd gather evidence before a trial.
- Contact an attorney: You don't want to leave anything to chance when pursuing the license that would allow you to practice medicine and further your career in Arkansas. By working with attorneys qualified to handle a case like yours, you'll enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing professionals are helping you resolve an issue thoroughly.
We at the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team thoroughly appreciate the role that IMGs play in the health of Americans across the country. If you're struggling to earn a license to practice medicine in Arkansas, we can help.
IMG Issues in Arkansas: Get Help from Professional License Defense Attorneys
Lawyers can assist you in many ways when you're an IMG seeking a medical license in Arkansas. Examples of how we may assist you include:
- Helping you gather documentation to show you meet the necessary requirements
- Preparing you for (and, if necessary, representing you during) any meetings the board may request before approving your application
- Guarding against issues resulting from language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and bias
- Assisting with an appeal
Those are just a few examples. If you're an IMG trying to get licensed in Arkansas, find out more about what the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team can do for you by calling us at 888-535-3686 or submitting our online form.
