Frequently Asked Questions
Medical License FAQ
All University of Washington housestaff are required to hold a State
of Washington license. Refer to the FAQ below to find out how to become
licensed.
- Question: Should I apply for a limited license or
a full license?
Answer: Housestaff must apply for a Limited License
for each of their first two years of training. During subsequent years
of training, residents may renew the Limited License or obtain a Full
License. To obtain a Full License you must have completed two years
of training and have passed USMLE Step III. Keep in mind that a Limited
License cannot be used to practice medicine outside of the training
program (i.e., no moonlighting); it limits the scope of practice to the
training program sites.
- Question: How do I apply for a limited license?
Answer: To apply for an initial limited license, complete
the entire 4-page application,
as well as the Request for Medical
School Transcripts form. Mail the application to the Medicine Residency
office, Box 356421. Send the transcript request form to your medical
school. Keep in mind that your medical school may charge a fee for transcript
requests. Affix an original frontal view photo of you, taken within
the last year and no larger than 2" x 2", to the application. The photo
should be signed across the bottom with the date it was taken.
Other Forms
Include a $235 check along with the deposit slip and return it all
to the Medicine Residency office, Box 356421. We will mail the application
to the Department of Health along with a Residency Certification form.
- Question: How do I apply for a full license?
Answer: To apply for an initial full license, complete
the entire 4-page application,
as well as the Request for Medical
School Transcripts and Verification/Evaluation
of Training form. Mail the application to the Medicine Residency
office, Box 356421. Send the transcript request form to your medical
school. Keep in mind that your medical school may charge a fee for transcript
requests. Having your transcripts submitted again even if you had them
submitted for your limited medical license application can facilitate
the processing of your full medical license application more quickly.
Affix an original frontal view photo of you, taken within the last year
and no larger than 2" x 2", to the application. The photo should be
signed across the bottom with the date it was taken. Also, sign the
Verification/Evaluation of Training form.
Other Forms
You need to send your USMLE scores to the Department of Health.
To do so, go to http://www.fsmb.org
and click on “Examination Services” and then on “Transcripts”.
If you are an international medical graduate you need to provide the
Department of Health with ECFMG certification. To do so, go to http://www.ecfmg.org/cvs/index.html
and click on "CVS ON-LINE".
Include a $135 check if you currently hold a Washington limited license,
or $335 if you do not, along with the deposit slip and return it to
the Medicine Residency office, Box 356421. We will mail the application
to the Department of Health, along with the Verification/Evaluation
of Training form, which is signed by the Program Director and has the
hospital seal affixed to it.
- Question: How do I renew my limited license?
Answer: To renew your limited license, fill out the
deposit slip and return it
along with a check for $165 to the Medicine Residency Program office,
UW Box # 356421.
- Question: How much does it cost to acquire a license?
Answer:
- Initial Limited License: $235
- Renewal of Limited License: $165
- Initial Full License: $335
- Limited to Full License: $135
- Renewal of Full License: $330
For more information on the licensing fee structure, see the Washington State Department of Health website.
- Question: I am going to be a Boise R2 next year.
What medical licensure do I need?
Answer: Boise R2s must have a current medical license.
You may choose to renew your Washington limited license, and pay a $10
registration fee to the State of Idaho, or apply for an Idaho license
($400). Nancy Williams will send you paperwork to acquire an Idaho license.
You must apply for an Idaho license if you plan to participate in a
Community Based Training rotation next year. For more information about
Idaho medical licensure requirements, see the Idaho
Board of Medicine website.
- Question: I will be taking USMLE Step III soon. Should
I wait and apply for a full license?
Answer: No, you must apply by the deadline set by
the Graduate Medical Education office each year to ensure your continued
licensure.
- Question: Does training that I took outside of Internal
Medicine count towards the requirement of two years of post-graduate
training for full medical licensure?
Answer: The Department of Health has stated that post-graduate
training outside of Internal Medicine counts towards the prerequisite
of two years of residency training. Your application will likely be
scrutinized more and can lead to delays in issuing you a full license.
Therefore, if this circumstance applies to you, apply well in advance
of your limited license expiring.
- Question: Why do I need to be licensed? Is it a legal
requirement or a requirement of the program?
Answer: All residents in the University of Washington
School of Medicine are required to hold a current medical license. It
is the responsibility of each resident to hold an active license during
residency training. The Medicine Residency Program assists in this process
by providing forms and instructions, answering questions and acting
as a liaison with the Department of Health. Failure to hold a current
license can result in disciplinary action. For more information on the
School's medical licensure policies, see Graduate Medical Education's
website.
- Question: Whom should I contact in the residency
office for assistance with medical licensure?
Answer: Contact Robin Pfaff by phone
at (206) 543-3605.
- Question: I am going on a WWAMI rotation that requires
me to get a license for another state. What should I do?
Answer: Contact Kelli Corning, Assistant Program
Director, via email or
by phone at (206) 543-3605.
- Question: How can I contact the Department of Health
to inquire about my medical license application?
Answer:
- Question: How can I find out if I have been licensed
yet?
Answer: You can check your licensure status at https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/hpqa1/Application/Credential_Search/profile.asp
- Question: Regarding the AIDS Affidavit, found on
the last page of the application form, how do I know if I have taken
the required HIV/AIDS education?
Answer: Most residents should have received this education
during medical school. If you are not sure if you have, contact your
medical school prior to initialing the affidavit.
- Question: My name recently changed. What
do I need to do to inform the Department of Heatlh?
Answer: Send a copy of your marriage certificate
and your license along with a note detailing your name change to:
HPQA Customer Service
PO Box 47865
Olympia, WA 98504-7865
DEA Registration FAQ
- Question: What is DEA registration?
Answer: DEA registration allows health
care providers to prescribe controlled substances including pain killers,
tranquilizers, seizure medication and other medicines with the potential
to cause an alteration in mental functioning.
- Question: I am an incoming R1. How can I acquire
a DEA registration?
Answer: At orientation you will be asked to complete
a DEA registration form. It will be submitted to the DEA when you receive
your limited license. You can also obtain a duplicate DEA registration
form by clicking here. Keep
in mind that you will still need to submit this form to our office in
order to have the fee waiver signed.
There are a number of sections on this form which frequently cause
confusion:
Section 1
- Business or Facility Name: University of Washington School of Medicine.
- Address: 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356421 Seattle, WA 98195.
- Phone: (206) 543-0069.
- Fax: (206) 685-3314.
- Tax Identification Number: Leave this blank.
Section 2
- Business Activity: Practitioner. Also enter the abbreviation of your
degree (i.e. MD or DO).
Section 3
- Drug Schedules: Check all of the schedules II-V.
- Question: I am an R2, R3 or R4. How can I renew my
registration?
Answer: The DEA Office of Diversion Control will send
a renewal form to you about 60 days before your registration expires.
You cannot renew your registration in advance of this period. If you
are renewing your registration under the University's fee waiver program,
you will need to return this form to the Medicine Residency Program
to be signed. In order to qualify for the fee waiver, you cannot apply
on-line since there is no way for the school to sign the form.
Registrations obtained under the University's fee waiver program can
only be used for the care of patients within the affiliated institutions.
They may not be used for any outside professional activities (e.g.,
moonlighting). If you need to obtain your own DEA registration, the
fee is $390. You can register via the form provided
by the DEA 60 days prior to the expiration of your previous registration
or apply on-line. You can also apply on-line at the DEA
website. Note you will need your DEA number and expiration date
as well as your social security number to renew your registration on-line.
You do not need to enter a tax identification number
- Question: I will be a Boise R2 next year. Do I need
a DEA registration?
Answer: As a Boise R2, you will be covered under
the Boise VA's institutional registration.
- Question: Is DEA registration a legal requirement
or a requirement of the program?
Answer: According to the Graduate Medical Education
website, "All incoming Residents and Fellows who write prescriptions
are requested to register for individual DEA numbers."
- Question: Who do I contact in the residency office
with questions about DEA registration?
Answer: Contact Robin Pfaff at (206) 543-3605.
- Question: How can I contact the DEA regarding any
questions I have about registration?
Answer:
- Question: How can I get a duplicate registration
certificate on-line, or get a receipt for an application I have submitted?
Answer: To obtain a duplicate certificate or a receipt
of an application submitted on-line, see the DEA website.
For a certificate, click "Duplicate Certificate".
- Question: How long are DEA registrations valid?
Answer: DEA registrations are valid for a period of
up to 3 years.
USMLE FAQ
- Question: What is USMLE Step III?
Answer: USMLE stands for United States Medical Licensing
Examination. Step III assesses whether you can apply medical knowledge
and understanding of biomedical and clinical science essential for
the unsupervised practice of medicine, with emphasis on patient management
in ambulatory settings. Step III provides a final assessment of physicians
assuming independent responsibility for delivering general medical
care.
- Question: When do I need to take Step III by?
Answer: Residents must take Step III by the end
of their R1 year and pass it by the end of their R2 year.
- Question: How do I register for Step III?
Answer: Please see the USMLE page on the Medicine Residency Program website. The following
forms need to be submitted to register for Step III:
- Question: Who do I contact in the residency
office with questions about Step III?
Answer: Contact Robin Pfaff at (206) 543-3605.
- Question: How much does it cost to register for Step
III?
Answer: The fee to take Step III is $570.
- Question: Does the Medicine Residency Program
keep USMLE scores?
Answer: The program requires documentation that you
have passed Step III, however the residency office does not keep track
of USMLE scores.
- Question: How do I have USMLE Scores sent
to the Department of Health to obtain a full medical license?
Answer: Go to http://www.fsmb.org
and click on “Examination Services”, then on “Transcripts”.
- Question: Where can I take Step III?
Answer: To locate a test site near you, go to the
website of Prometric,
the company that administers Step III.
- Question: When can I take Step III?
Answer: Residents are expected to take the exam
during non in-house call rotations. Exceptions to this policy may
be made, but only with Dr. Wallace’s prior approval and after
coverage issues have been addressed. PCIP Seattle/Boise R1s
may by necessity take the exam during an in-house call rotation
but must complete the exam by May 1, 2006. Complete the Schedule
Change form to ensure services are notified and coverage has been
arranged.
- Question: How can I arrange time away to take Step
III?
Answer: When your exam is scheduled, complete a
Schedule
Change form. Do this as soon as possible, as this form will ensure
the Residency Office and the services and clinics have adequate notice
of your absence. For more information on scheduling time to take Step
III, please see the USMLE page on the Medicine Residency Program website.
- Question: Why do I need to take Step III?
Answer: Step III is a requirement for obtaining
full medical licensure and a requirement for promotion in the Medicine
Residency Program.
- Question: How can I contact the Federation of State
Medical Boards (FSMB)?
Answer:
- Question: How long does it take to get registered
for Step III?
Answer: If you submit your application online, the
FSMB will begin processing your application within 2-3 business days.
However, your online application cannot be completed until the FSMB
receives the Certification of Identity page and any other required document(s)
that you must mail to FSMB. Once the document(s) arrive, your application
will be completed within approximately three to five business days after
meeting all requirements. If you mail a paper application, allow approximately
2-4 weeks for processing once the FSMB receives your application.
- Question: How long after I take the exam will it
be until scores are available?
Answer: Allow at least six weeks after your test
date to receive your score report. If you do not receive your original
score report a request for a duplicate score report will be honored
up to 90 days after your score report release date. Make your request
in writing via fax at 817-868-4098.
Direct Deposit FAQ
We strongly encourage you to sign up for direct deposit.
Question: How do I get direct deposit?
Answer: There are two ways to sign up for direct deposit.
- MyUW Employee Self Service: The UW offers all students and staff a
personal portal. This portal allows you to manage your systems. On the
left make sure you have selected faculty/staff. Then click on ESS. Once
you have signed in click on earnings on the top. Then click on direct
deposit directly below that.
- The other way is to fill out this form and send it to the payroll
office through campus mail at Box 355655.
Pager FAQ
- Question: When I have technical problems with my
pager, including passwords, who do I call?
Answer: The pager help desk at 616-1002. This help
desk is administrated through Computing and Communications with the
sole purpose to assist people with their pagers at the University of
Washington.
- Question: What do I do when my pager breaks or if
I lose my pager.
Answer: Go to telecommunications in UWMC NN165.
They are an office which supports the hospitals paging systems. They
work directly with Computing and Communications.
- Question: At the end of my residency where do I return
my pager?
Answer: When you have completed
your residency and you are leaving the institution
OR you have completed your residency and
are staying in the institution but have not
been instructed by your future program to
keep your pager then you need to return your
pager to the Residency Office (BB-527).
If you do not return your pager you will be
charged $50.
ACLS FAQ
Question: What are my options for ACLS recertification?
Answer:
If you’d like to renew your certification for ACLS your options are:
- Teach at an ACLS course, then do a mega-code and take the exam at the end. Its free and fun.
- Sunday June 21, 2009. (2009-10 chiefs are expected to participate at this course.)
- March 27 and April 3. HMC is doing a course for the Paramedics Students. Contact Katrina Jordan: katrinaj@u.washington.edu
- Contact the Training Center at HMC for renewal courses: 206-744-5027.
Information for New Interns
Parking
- All residents who have continuity clinic at Pioneer Square or Belltown
will get reimbursed for parking twice a year in January and June.
- All residents who commute to Kent/Des Moines for continuity clinic
will get reimbursed for mileage.
- All residents who are NOT on rotation at the UWMC will be reimbursed
for parking at pay per use rate for attending conferences on Thursdays
via a deposit on their Husky cards
- All residents who are NOT on rotation at HMC and have continuity clinic
at HMC will get reimbursed for parking at pay per use rate via a deposit
on their Husky cards.
- Question: Can I cash out the money on my Husky card?
Answer: You can cash out the money on your Husky card
when you resign and leave the institution. Otherwise to find out more
information about how to use your Husky card go to: http://hfs.washington.edu/husky_card/.
- Question: Whom should I contact in the residency office
for assistance as a new intern?
Answer: Contact the Internal Medicine Residency office at
(206) 543-3605.
|
