Dead EJD? Older article...

In the US, one can become a licensed Physician and Surgeon (Doctor) without passing a medical board specialty. The licensing exams (USMLE) and a minimum of a one year internship is required to become a licensed general practitioner in many states. American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) have board specialties like Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, etc., and are not required for State licensing. Board certification is however crucial if one wants to obtain privileges to practice in a hospital. Residents in training are “doctors” that have completed medical school but have not necessarily passed all the licensing exams.

Once these residents pass the USMLE exam series and have completed the minimum number of years in residency, they are able to apply for a license. After the residents complete a specialty, they are able to take the “boards” for that specialty and become board certified. After board certification, many enter fellowships to pursue a sub specialty. these are referred to as pgy 4, 5,6,7 (post graduate years). I have no problem addressing a first year unlicensed medical doctor in residency as “doctor.” However, a medical student years one thru four, is not addressed as “doctor” even if they have passed the licensing exams!

 

As DI has become a global forum, I am unfamiliar with other countries rules and regulations. Here is a link for a better explanation of US medical licensing standards: ABMS Board Certification Requirements | American Board of Medical Specialties

 

Umm, I appreciate the indepth correction but please reread the question and understand the context. The question was referring to someone that works for big pharma, not someone that is interning or will practice in a hospital. And perhaps I could've been more clear in my answer. I certainly have no problem referring to someone as "Doctor" that has a medical degree, is interning, is studying to pass the boards, and works in a hospital or clinical setting. I do have a problem with calling someone "Doctor" that skips interning, doesn't take and pass the boards, doesn't have hospital privileges, and works in big pharma.

 

What country are you in? What do you mean by pass the boards? If you are talking about the US then you are mistaken!

 

Ok. I see where you're coming from here. I've been around too many health care workers in my extended family that refer to all medical licensing exams as "boards". I should've said "licensing examinations required by the Texas Medical Board" (my state....is there any other?). These are the exams that they require here: https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=22&pt=9&ch=163&rl=6

 

Thanks for the link. Although many medical students take some or all of the medical licensing exams before they graduate with an MD or DO. The goal is to get high scores and apply to top-notch residencies. Those with lower scores often get primary care specialties and some even go unmatched. The taking of the licensing exams is a big part of the process to get matched into a residency program and until they graduate, they are considered medical students even with the exams passed! Most medical interns take the final Step 3 USMLE or COMLEX exam after completing their first year of residency but some are smart enough to take all Steps 1,2,2cs and 3 in their fourth year of medical school. Foreign school graduates really need to focus on high exam scores to get a residency. The passing minimum is simply not enough to land a residency.Just a friendly FYI to whoever cares.