S.B. 787 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 787 By: Carona Public Health Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, Texas law states that an applicant for a license to practice medicine in this state must pass each part of an examination within seven years. Texas law, however, provides an exception for an applicant who is a graduate of a program designed to lead to both a doctor of philosophy degree and a doctor of medicine degree or doctor of osteopathy degree. These applicants must pass each part of an examination not later than the second anniversary of the date the applicant was awarded a doctor of medicine degree or doctor of osteopathy degree. However, Texas law is not in concert with the majority of states and has resulted in Texas losing highly qualified physicians. As proposed, this bill would make Texas law commensurate with the regulations of other states. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS This bill changes the deadline for passing each part of the examination for a license to practice medicine from within seven years to within ten years. The bill also changes the deadline for completing the examination for a license to practice medicine for an applicant who is a graduate of a program designed to lead to both a doctor of philosophy degree and a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy degree to not later than the second anniversary of the date the applicant completed the graduate medical training. In addition the bill provides an applicant complying with Section 155.056 of the Occupations Code and is a member of a certain specialty board, the opportunity to obtain a medical license in the state of Texas. EFFECTIVE DATE Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2003. EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS This bill is amended to add an addition subsection which provides that an applicant complying with Section 155.056 of the Occupations Code and is a member of a certain specialty board, the opportunity to obtain a medical license in the state of Texas.