Medical licensure
Medical Licensure
Medical licensure (pronunciation: med-i-kal li-sen-shur) is a mandatory process that involves the granting of permissions by a governmental or non-governmental body, such as a medical board, to a healthcare professional. This permission allows the professional to practice medicine within a specified jurisdiction.
Etymology
The term 'licensure' originates from the Latin word 'licentia', which means 'permission' or 'freedom'. The prefix 'medical' is derived from the Latin 'medicus', meaning 'physician'.
Process
The process of obtaining a medical license typically involves the completion of a medical degree from a recognized institution, followed by a period of residency or internship. The applicant must then pass a licensing examination, such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) in the United States or the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) in Canada.
Once the examination is passed, the applicant must submit an application to the relevant medical board, along with proof of their education, training, and examination results. The board will then review the application and, if approved, issue the medical license.
Related Terms
- Medical Board: A governing body that oversees the licensing and regulation of medical professionals within a specific jurisdiction.
- Residency: A period of medical training that follows the completion of a medical degree.
- Internship: A period of supervised training in a specific medical specialty, often undertaken after the completion of a medical degree but before licensure.
- United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE): A three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States.
- Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE): A two-part examination for medical licensure in Canada.
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