IV.D.1. Medical Licensure

House Officers must have a valid Louisiana Medical Permit, License or Graduate Education Temporary Permit (GETP) for training. It is the House Officer's responsibility to contact the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) regarding licensure and to maintain a valid LA Medical License or permit during all training years. All questions regarding permits or licensure should be directed to LSBME staff. The House Officer is expected to be aware of LSBME licensure rules which periodically change.
As per Legislation passed in 2017, all practitioners with a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) license in Louisiana are now required to complete at least three hours of Board Pre-Approved continuing medical education (CME) that includes all 4 of the following topics: Best practices for the prescribing of CDS, Drug diversion training, Appropriate treatment for addiction, and the Treatment of chronic pain. The LSU New Orleans Controlled Substance (CDS)/Opioid Training is a board approved course. This is a once in a lifetime requirement under current law. This three-hour requirement will be considered a part of, and not in addition to, the prescriber's annual CMD requirement.
The three hours of CDS-CME must be completed before the prescriber's first license/permit renewal date. If the prescriber has not completed this requirement by his/her first renewal date, the Board will be unable to renew his/her license/permit.
As of January 1, 2019, licensure is available to graduates of medical school who complete the PGY 2-year, pass USMLE Step 3, and meet all other requirements of the LSBME.
Graduates of osteopathic schools follow the same procedure as the allopathic medical school graduates for interns and PGY2s and must pass USMLE Step 3 or Complex 3 before proceeding to the PGY 3 year of training.
Individuals that do not want to apply for a Louisiana Medical License are eligible for a Louisiana Medical Permit after completing the PGY 2 year if they have taken and passed USMLE Step 3.
All questions regarding permits or licensure should be directed to LSBME staff.
Permits PGY 1

• For up to 12 months
• Issued to graduates of medical /osteopathic schools
• For first year internship

To enter the PGY 2 year, interns (PGY1) must either apply for full licensure or renew their training permit. House Officers are encouraged to take and pass USMLE Step 3 in their PGY 1 year so that they are eligible for full licensure after the PGY 1 year. Applicants who do not pass USMLE Step 3 in their PGY 1 year may apply for a PGY2 permit for up to 12 months except for international medical graduates (IMGs). There is no extension of the training permit beyond 24 months of total training (i.e., PGY 1 and 2) without passing USMLE Step 3. Please see the LSBME site https://www.lsbme.la.gov/ for rules governing obtaining full licensure for those who do pass Step 3.
PGY 2

• For up to 12 months
• Issued to graduates of medical/osteopathic schools
• Can be issued to graduates of a medical/osteopathic school who have not taken and/or passed USMLE 3/COMLEX 3
• If applicant has not previously received LSBME-issued PGY 1 permit (i.e., applicant from out-of-state moving to LA and applying for PGY 2 permit) applicant must complete a licensure application and provide letter from PGY 2 Program Director. Permits or licenses are generally not issued to applicants that have not taken and passed the USMLE Step 3/COMLEX 3 when the PGY 2 permit expires.

Starting in November/December Program Coordinators begin working with the GME Office to prepare for House Officer first renewal of license/permit requirements to submit to LSBME.
The following documents are needed for a one-year PGY 2 permit:

1. 1. Permit fee-which is determined by the State Board
   2. A promotion letter signed by the Program Director stating PGY 2 name and starting and ending dates in program as PGY 2.
   3. CDS-CME Approved Training Course Completion Certificate (required for first renewal of license/permit).

All programs with PGY 2s must print the LSBME Program Director letter from the GME Online Appointment Form System link in the Knowledge Base, have the Program Director sign the letter for each PGY 2 informing LSMBE that the individual is a PGY 2 in their program for the upcoming academic year.
The Board shall issue a temporary permit to an applicant of an approved American or Canadian medical school or college (allopathic or osteopathic), for the purpose of participating in an accredited program of postgraduate medical training (residency training), beyond postgraduate year one, in a Louisiana medical school that is fully accredited by the ACMGE and approved by the board. All questions regarding renewing permits beyond postgraduate year one should be directed to LSBME staff.