§34-24-73. Reciprocity generally.

(a) The State Board of Medical Examiners may establish reciprocal agreements for licensure by endorsement with similar boards of other states, the District of Columbia, the territories of the United States, and the provinces of Canada in reference to the issuance of certificates of qualifications. Reciprocal agreements shall not be established with a board of examiners that does not require examination upon substantially the same branches of medical learning as those examinations required for licensure in this state, and that does not maintain a standard of proficiency at least equal to that maintained by the Board of Medical Examiners of this state. When reciprocal agreements have been established, subject to the requirements of Section 34-24-70, a certificate of qualification may be issued by endorsement in behalf of a person who presents evidence of compliance with the requirements of a reciprocating board.

(b) The State Board of Medical Examiners may issue a certificate of qualification by endorsement in behalf of a person who presents evidence of compliance with the requirements of the appropriate board of examiners of another state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or a province of Canada, if that board requires examination upon substantially the same branches of medical learning as those examinations required for licensure in this state and maintains a standard of proficiency at least equal to that maintained by the State Board of Medical Examiners of this state, whether or not it has established reciprocal agreements with the appropriate board of examiners. Subject to the requirements of Section 34-24-70, the State Board of Medical Examiners may also issue a certificate of qualification by endorsement in behalf of a person who presents evidence satisfactory to the board of successful completion of the Federation Licensing Examination or the examination given by the National Board of Medical Examiners, or the United States Medical Licensing Examination or the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners Examination or the Licensing Medical Council of Canada Examination with a passing score acceptable to the State Board of Medical Examiners.

(c) Any certificate of qualification issued in accordance with this section shall include on its face a statement that the certificate was issued pro forma and by endorsement.

(d) Any certificate of qualification previously issued by the State Board of Medical Examiners under this section is validated, ratified, and confirmed if that certificate could have been legally issued as the section now reads.

(e) No person in whose behalf a reciprocal or pro forma certificate of qualification has been issued shall practice in this state unless the person obtains a license and certificate of registration from the State Medical Licensure Commission.

(Code 1907, §1634; Code 1923, §2844; Code 1940, T. 46, §267; Acts 1951, No. 185, p. 436, §1; Acts 1959, No. 109, p. 620, §5; Acts 1975, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 161, p. 405, §3; Acts 1993, No. 93-148, p. 202, §3; Act 99-103, p. 123, §1.)