Kansas is a great place to be. The cost of living is lower, the public education system includes academically rigorous options, and the quieter, slower life pace leaves its residents with a higher quality of life. Because of Kansas' many attributes, it is a great option for international medical graduates (IMGs) seeking a prestigious and meaningful medical career. IMGs, unfortunately, have more hurdles than the average person trying to obtain medical licensure in Kansas. IMGs have a specific certification process and examinations that they must complete in addition to meeting the requirements of their foreign medical schools. The process of gaining your medical license as an IMG is complex, but the Lento Law Firm can help. Our Professional License Defense Team has helped IMGs striving to work as physicians throughout Kansas, including at the University of Kansas Medical System. If you need help with your licensure, call 888.535.3686 or complete this contact form.
International Medical Graduates Regulatory and Governing Bodies
If you are an IMG, you will come in frequent contact with the Kansas Board of Healing Arts (KSBHA). This regulatory body decides which foreign medical schools are acceptable for joining the Kansas medical community (specific requirements and acceptable schools will be discussed in detail in the sections below). KBSHA relies on various testing and certifications from other organizations to determine if a school is sufficient. One of these certifications, which will be discussed below, is through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). This must be completed before any IMG can apply to practice medicine in Kansas. Therefore, you will work closely with this organization to ensure you meet all the requirements and have the appropriate paperwork to obtain certification.
In addition to the requirements set forth by KSBHA, IMGs are subject to additional requirements by the medical programs for which they are applying. The Most popular residency programs are through the University of Kansas Health System and HCA Health Care in its Overland Park Regional Medical Center.
Kansas Requirements for IMGs
Because being a physician is perhaps the most important profession in any country or state, getting certification is a real bear of the process. Kansas laws and regulations require that IMGs meet educational requirements on par with those taught to medical students in Kansas and throughout North America. The three main requirements for IMG medical licensure in Kansas are obtaining Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification, a medical degree from an approved medical school, and completion of an approved medical residency program.
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates Certification
Any IMG seeking to practice medicine in Kansas will need to receive an ECFMG certification. If you have not yet graduated from your foreign medical program, you may be able to already start the certification process to get a head start. Getting ECFMG certification as quickly as possible to ensure you meet the timeline requirements and ideally have obtained certification before the February National Resident Matching Program deadlines. You don't want to miss the opportunity to be placed in a prestigious Kansas residency program.
There are four main requirements for certification: (1) medical school requirements, (2) application for ECMFG certification, (3) medical science examination requirements, and (4) medical education credential requirements. Each will be discussed in further detail below.
Medical School Requirements
To obtain ECFMG certification, you must graduate from a medical school that has met specific requirements outlined in the World Directory of Medical Schools (World Directory). The World Directory is a comprehensive database of all the medical schools in the world. Developed by the two organizations, the World Federation for Medical Education and FAIMER, the database is continuously updated to ensure the global community has access to important information on each school.
For your ECFMG certification to be granted, you must have graduated from a World Directory-approved school and during an approved year. Most likely, if you are a recent graduate, you researched your medical school using the World Directory during your initial school selection process. But if you have forgotten or graduated years ago and just not pursuing a medical license in Kansas, the best way to ensure your medical school is approved is to check under the “Sponsor Notes” section of your medical school in the World Directory. In this section, there should be an ECFMG note which indicates you are eligible to apply for ECFMG certification.
Application of ECMFG Certification
To gain ECFMG certification, you will need to submit an application through the ECMFG online portal, the Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC) system. The application is extensive and requires information from both you and your medical school. Your medical school will be responsible for providing some information, particularly authenticated transcripts and proof of good standing.
You will be responsible for other administrative information, including the documentation that you must enter the United States lawfully. Such documentation will likely include a visa, green card, or United States passport. If you have a passport issued by another country, that will be included as well. Unfortunately, you can't just snap a photo of your passport and submit it through the online portal; ECFMG has specific documentation authentication requirements. If you're facing issues with authenticating your documents, your Lento Law Firm can provide assistance.
When the online application is completed, it automatically generates the Certification of Identification Form. You must print this document and have it signed in the presence of a notary.
Medical Science Examination Requirements
To gain ECFMG certification, you will need to demonstrate that you passed both Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). The exam tests the examinee's knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and other areas of science in the context of clinical medicine. Prior to 2022, USMLE Step 1 scores were numerical, but scores are now reported only as pass/fail. In the United States, USMLE Step-1 is taken after the second year of medical school, but the appropriate timing for you to take the exam may be different. Your Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team attorney can help you navigate timing to ensure you are on track to meet your goal of being a licensed physician in Kansas.
Instead of broadly focusing on basic science, USLME Step 2 tests clinical applications in specific areas, including psychiatry, surgery, and pediatrics. Exam prompts detail a clinical situation for which students must correctly answer questions regarding diagnosis, prognosis, preventative measures, and proposed care, among other topics.
Language Requirements
To practice medicine in Kansas, you will, of course, need to have very high English language proficiency. ECFMG certification requires candidates to show proficiency in one of two ways. First is obtaining a passing score on the Occupational English Test (OET) Medicine, which stresses the language a physician will need to communicate with colleagues in clinical settings and patients. This exam is the standard method for demonstrating language proficiency.
Alternatively, you can show a passing score on the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (not to be confused with Step 2 Clinical Knowledge discussed above). This option is only available for those who took the USMLE Step 2 before 2020 because this exam portion has since been discontinued. If you have a former passing score on file, your Lento Law Firm attorney can assist in ensuring ECFMG accepts this language proficiency.
How Long Does ECFMG Certification Take?
The process is lengthy, like everything else in your journey to becoming a physician. There is no prescribed amount of time. Getting important documents like your transcripts and diploma verification translated and submitting certain documentation by mail can be significant time-adding factors. What you can do to make the process go more smoothly is to complete tasks as soon as possible. Register for USMLE As soon as you are eligible. Ask other students in your network if they have worked with a reputable translator. Establish a connection with the person at your medical school who verifies medical education credentials to ensure they are on top of your ECFMG paperwork. If you have any trouble along the way, your Lento Law firm attorney can help connect you with the right resources.
Kansas IMG Issues
With so many different organizations involved, such as KSBHA, the Federation of State Medical Boards, the National Board of Medical Examiners, ECFMG, medical school officials, and more, there are bound to be problems that arise. Mistakes happen during translations and other administrative procedures. Unfortunately, you need every person in the process on the same page for you to successfully get your Kansas medical license. When an issue arises in one place, it will likely pop up in another, so having the assistance of a Lento Law Firm attorney from the start can make the process a lot smoother.
Kansas Board of Healing Arts IMG Issues
You can begin your KSBHA application process while your ECFMG certification and USMLE are still underway, but if issues occur with either of those, you will surely have an issue with KSBHA. ECFMG and USMLE issues are never a great look, so you want to make sure they are addressed from all angles. Do not assume KSBHA thinks you have it all under control and will give you a little time to figure things out independently. You need to communicate with KSBHA as soon as an ECFMG or USMLE issues arise. Your Lento Law Firm attorney will talk to you about how to talk to KSBHA to demonstrate that you are imminently taking the appropriate steps to resolve the issue. You cannot afford to have your application closed or denied because you left KSBHA out of the loop on your issues.
Aside from ECGM and USMLE issues you would need to discuss with KSBHA, the most common issues IMGs face are issues with their character and fitness requirements. No one is perfect, and your past may be what motivated you to become a doctor, but KSBHA will ask you about any troubling parts of your past. If you have severe mental health issues, substance or alcohol use disorders, or prior criminal convictions, these will be disclosed in your application and can cause problems during the licensure process.
Having a complicated past that could raise eyebrows on character and fitness doesn't disqualify you from medical licensure in Kansas, but lying, misleading, or being untruthful to KSBHA could. At the Lento Law Firm, we prepare you to make these disclosures to KSBHA and address all issues and omissions with your application. We will do everything in our power to present you as the best possible candidate for medical licensure and assuage any of KSBHA's concerns.
Kansas IMG ECFMG Issues
As discussed briefly above, ECFMG's World Directory is a living, breathing database. International medical schools can be removed or approved at any time. The nature of the database means that the status of your medical school and its impact on your future hinges on events completely out of your control. If your medical school has lost approval and you are being denied ECFMG, you are not at the end of the road - let us advocate for you.
Another common issue we see with ECFMG certification is issues with the records' accuracy or proper authentication. You can be denied certification if your medical school transcripts do not show you are in good standing or are not properly authenticated.
Kansas IMG USMLE Issues
USMLE has certain exam procedures and retakes limits that can get IMGs in trouble. USMLE has rules on how many times you can retake an exam, but sometimes, there can be exceptions to the rule. When there are extenuating circumstances at play, the Lento Law Firm can advocate that you be given another opportunity. Your entire academic career up to this point shouldn't be destroyed over one instance where you were unable to satisfactorily complete a USMLE component.
If you are being accused of violating exam rules, such as cheating or failing to maintain exam confidentiality, you need a defense immediately. When you are being accused of misconduct, every word out of your mouth is a liability, and your career is on the line. Call the Lento Law Firm immediately to de-escalate the situation and get the issue resolved as soon as possible.
Kansas IMG Licensing Representation
The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team works throughout Kansas, representing IMGs facing ECFMG, USMLE, and KSBHA issues. We understand and appreciate your selfless career choice to become a physician, and we want to care for you while you get there. Let us fight for your dreams; call 888.535.3686 or complete this contact form today.
