2016 Arizona Revised Statutes
Title 32 - Professions and Occupations
§ 32-1422 Basic requirements for granting a license to practice medicine; credentials verification

32-1422. Basic requirements for granting a license to practice medicine; credentials verification

A. An applicant for a license to practice medicine in this state pursuant to this article shall meet each of the following basic requirements:

1. Graduate from an approved school of medicine or receive a medical education that the board deems to be of equivalent quality.

2. Successfully complete an approved twelve-month hospital internship, residency or clinical fellowship program.

3. Have the physical and mental capability to safely engage in the practice of medicine.

4. Have a professional record that indicates that the applicant has not committed any act or engaged in any conduct that would constitute grounds for disciplinary action against a licensee under this chapter.

5. Not have had a license to practice medicine revoked by a medical regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States for an act that occurred in that jurisdiction that constitutes unprofessional conduct pursuant to this chapter.

6. Not be currently under investigation, suspension or restriction by a medical regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States for an act that occurred in that jurisdiction and that constitutes unprofessional conduct pursuant to this chapter. If the applicant is under investigation by a medical regulatory board in another jurisdiction, the board shall suspend the application process and may not issue or deny a license to the applicant until the investigation is resolved.

7. Not have surrendered a license to practice medicine in lieu of disciplinary action by a medical regulatory board in another jurisdiction in the United States for an act that occurred in that jurisdiction and that constitutes unprofessional conduct pursuant to this chapter.

8. Pay all fees required by the board.

9. Complete the application as required by the board.

10. Complete a training unit as prescribed by the board relating to the requirements of this chapter and board rules. The applicant shall submit proof with the application form of having completed the training unit.

11. Have submitted directly to the board, electronically or by hard copy, verification of the following:

(a) Licensure from every state in which the applicant has ever held a medical license.

(b) All hospital affiliations and medical employment for the five years preceding application. Each hospital must verify affiliations or employment on the hospital's official letterhead or the electronic equivalent. If the applicant is employed by a hospital or medical group or organization, the board shall accept the verifications required under this subdivision from the applicant's employer.

12. Beginning September 2, 2014, have submitted a full set of fingerprints to the board for the purpose of obtaining a state and federal criminal records check pursuant to section 41-1750 and Public Law 92-544. The department of public safety may exchange this fingerprint data with the federal bureau of investigation.

B. The board may require the submission of credentials or other evidence, written and oral, and make any investigation it deems necessary to adequately inform itself with respect to an applicant's ability to meet the requirements prescribed by this section, including a requirement that the applicant for licensure undergo a physical examination, a mental evaluation and an oral competence examination and interview, or any combination thereof, as the board deems proper.

C. In determining if the requirements of subsection A, paragraph 4 of this section have been met, if the board finds that the applicant committed an act or engaged in conduct that would constitute grounds for disciplinary action, the board shall determine to its satisfaction that the conduct has been corrected, monitored and resolved. If the matter has not been resolved, the board shall determine to its satisfaction that mitigating circumstances exist that prevent its resolution.

D. In determining if the requirements of subsection A, paragraph 6 of this section have been met, if another jurisdiction has taken disciplinary action against an applicant, the board shall determine to its satisfaction that the cause for the action was corrected and the matter resolved. If the matter has not been resolved by that jurisdiction, the board shall determine to its satisfaction that mitigating circumstances exist that prevent its resolution.

E. The board may delegate authority to the executive director to deny licenses if applicants do not meet the requirements of this section.

F. Any credential information required to be submitted to the board pursuant to this article must be submitted, electronically or by hard copy, from the primary source where the document or information originated, except that the board may accept primary-source verified credentials from a credentials verification service approved by the board. The board is not required to verify any documentation or information received by the board from a credentials verification service that has been approved by the board. If an applicant is unable to provide a document or information from the primary source due to no fault of the applicant, the executive director shall forward the issue to the full board for review and determination. The board shall adopt rules establishing the criteria that must be met in order to waive a documentation requirement of this article.