Permit / Intern Permit / PGY Permit

PGY Permits are typically used by residents just beginning their training after medical school, but can be used by any physician in a valid training program.  These must be renewed each year, and expire at the end of the resident's training year (typically June 30th).  Many residents will only use a permit until they qualify for full licensure.  During the first two years, residents are required to take and pass the USMLE Step 3 test (Step 3).  A third year permit will not be issued by the LSBME until Step 3 has been successfully passed and scores have been received by the LSBME.  Fellow can apply for the permit if they will not be responsible for supervising and will not work independently, If fellows will be responsible for supervising and will work independently, they must apply for full license.

GETP Permit

Graduate Educational Temporary Permits (GETP) are issued for graduates of foreign medical schools who are enrolled in valid training programs.  GETP holders must take and pass the USMLE Step 3 test (Step 3) before their second renewal.  These must be renewed each year, and expire at the end of the resident's training year (typically June 30th).  Additionally, GETP holders are required to maintain the permit for the duration of their residency program, and do not qualify for full licensure until after successful completion of their residency program.  See also /wiki/spaces/OLD/pages/32918.

Fellowship Training Permit 

Not for Fellows training in an ACGME accredited fellowship program.  The permit Issued at the discretion of the LSBME for the purpose of participating in unaccredited postgraduate fellowship training, at a minimum level of postgraduate year four (PGY-4), provided the Louisiana Medical School, or major teaching hospital sponsors a fully accredited ACGME residency program in the same specialty in which the fellowship training is offered. The Fellowship training Permit can only be renewed one time.

Full License

After successful passage of Step 3, and completion of one year of (for US grads) or graduation from the residency training program (foreign grads), physicians are eligible for full licensure.  The initial license fee ($382) and license renewal fee are significantly more costly than the permit renewal fee, so many residents opt to continue with a permit for their full program.  The only disadvantage they face is that they cannot supervise residents, work independently or do any moonlighting without a full license.  After obtaining full licensure, all physicians,  continuing in a residency or fellowship program, renewing their license complete a CME exemption request form and the Program Coordinator submits the completed CME exemption form and a program director letter to Ms. Burton, License Renewal, at the LSBME.  These licenses expire on the last day of the physician's birth month and the physician must be within 8 weeks of current expiration date in order to renew the full license. LSBME - Application & Instructions for Initial Licensure - Physicians