Doctor of Medicine Profession (MD)

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Regulation of the profession

Medicine, like many other professions, is regulated at two different levels:

• Licensure is a process that takes place at the state level in accordance with specific state laws.
• Certification is established through a national organization(s) with requirements for minimal professional practice standards being consistent nationally.

Licensure: All states require applicants for MD licensure to be graduates of an approved medical school and complete the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exam) Steps 1-3. Steps 1 and 2 are completed while in medical school and step 3 is completed after some medical training (usually between 12-18 months, depending on the state). People who obtained their medical degress in other countries also must satisfy these requirements before practicing medicine in the Unted States.

With the inception of telemedicine, there has been concern as to how to handle state licensure issues when medicine is being shared between states through telecommunications. Laws and guidelines are being addressed.

Certification: MDs who wish to specialize must complete an additional 3 to 4 years of postgraduate work within their area of specialty and then pass board certification examinations. Doctors who claim to practice within one of the specialties should therefore be "board certified" within that specific area of practice.

See also types of health care providers.