Section 17.11. Examination information for license without restriction

(a) FLEX. This is the examination offered by the Board for a license without restriction. The last regular administration of FLEX I and FLEX II was December of 1993. The examination is comprised of two components—FLEX I and FLEX II. Both components are given every December and June. FLEX I may be taken after graduating from a medical college but, beginning July 1, 1986, shall be passed prior to commencing a second-year level of graduate medical training if the medical doctor has not already passed Parts I and II of the National Boards or a licensing examination acceptable to the Board under § 17.1(a)(1)(iii), (viii) and (ix) (relating to license without restriction), or secured a license without restriction in this Commonwealth or an equivalent license issued by a state, territory or possession of the United States or the Dominion of Canada. FLEX II may be taken after graduating from a medical college but, for a medical doctor to begin a third-year level of graduate medical training he shall first pass FLEX I and FLEX II or a licensing examination acceptable to the Board under § 17.1(a)(1)(iii), (viii) and (ix), or have secured a license without restriction in this Commonwealth or an equivalent license issued by another state, territory or possession of the United States or theDominion of Canada. Both FLEX I and FLEX II may be taken by astudent in a medical college if the student is in the last semester or asimilar school term, the dean of the medical college certifies to the Board that the student’s graduation is imminent and the semester or similar school term will conclude shortly after the administration of FLEX I and FLEX II. A passing score on this examination satisfies the examination requirement for a license without restriction.

(b) Licensing examination of Federation from June 1968 through December 1984. This examination is the forerunner of the present FLEX. A passing score on this three-part examination satisfies the examination requirement for a license without restriction. This examination is no longer offered as a licensing examination by the Board. A passing score on this examination shall have been achieved in an individual attempt, that is, a passing score cannot be achieved by combining scores received on separate parts of the examination obtained in more than one examination attempt.

(c) National Boards. This examination comprised of Parts I, II and III was given in most accredited medical colleges. A passing score on this examination satisfies the examination requirement for a license without restriction.

(d) USMLE. This examination is a uniform examination for licensure which replaces the National Boards Parts I, II and III and FLEX I and FLEX II. Each step is given twice a year. To be eligible for Step 1 or 2 of the examination, an individual shall be a medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, an accredited medical school or a graduate of an unaccredited medical school. Steps 1 and 2 may be taken in any sequence. To be eligible for Step 3 of the USMLE, the individual shall have obtained a medical doctor degree or equivalent, shall have achieved a passing score on both Step 1 and Step 2 or equivalent, and shall be enrolled in a graduate medical training program. Additionally, a graduate of an unaccredited school shall be currently certified by ECFMG or shall have successfully completed a ‘‘Fifth Pathway’’ program. All Steps of the examination shall be completed within 7 years. A passing score on this examination satisfies the examination requirement for a license without restriction.

(e) Examination of the Medical Council of Canada. This is an examination offered in Canada which has been adopted as a licensing examination in most of the provinces of Canada. A passing score on this examination, as determined by the Medical Council of Canada, satisfies the examination requirement for a license without restriction if the examination was taken in English in or after May 1970.

(f) State Board Examination. This is an examination for a license to practice medicine and surgery without restriction, other than USMLE, FLEX or the forerunner of FLEX, which is used by a licensing authority in another state, territory or possession of the United States. A passingscore on this examination, as determined by the licensing authority in the other jurisdiction, satisfies the examination requirement for a license without restriction if the examination was taken in English prior to December 1973.

The provisions of this § 17.11 adopted March 6, 1964; amended May 13, 1977, effective May 14, 1977, 7 Pa.B. 1280; amended July 28, 1978, effective July 29, 1978, 8 Pa.B. 2099; amended February 15, 1985, effective February 16, 1985, 15 Pa.B. 568; amended January 2, 1987, effective December 31, 1986, 17 Pa.B. 24; amended April 8, 1994, effective April 9, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 1838. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (117152) to (117153).