SRC-VRA S.B. 787 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 787 78R6040 SMH-DBy: Carona Health & Human Services 3/16/2003 As Filed DIGEST 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, S.B. 787 would make Texas law commensurate with the regulations of other states. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 155.051, Occupations Code, as follows: (a) Increases from seven to ten years the amount of time during which an applicant for a license to practice medicine must pass an examination. (b) Requires certain medical degree candidates to pass an examination not later than the second anniversary of the date the applicant completed the graduate medical training described by Section 155.003 (a) (5), Occupations Code. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.