# Health Occupations (GHO)

## Title 14. Physicians

### Subtitle 3

#### Section 14-301

Except as otherwise provided in this title, Sec. 13-516 of the Education Article, or Sec.Sec. 10-14A-03 and 10-14B-03 of the State Government Article, an individual shall be licensed by the Board before the individual may practice medicine in this State.

#### Section 14-302

Subject to the rules, regulations, and orders of the Board, the following individuals may practice medicine without a license:

(1) A medical student or an individual in a postgraduate medical training program that is accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Board in regulations, while the individual is practicing medicine in the program and doing the assigned duties at any office of a licensed physician, hospital, clinic, or similar facility;

(2) A physician licensed by and residing in another jurisdiction, if the physician:

  (i) Is engaged in consultation with a physician licensed in the State about a particular patient and does not direct patient care;

  (ii)

    (1) Has an active, unrestricted license to practice medicine in the jurisdiction where the physician regularly engages in the practice of medicine;

    (2) Is employed by or has a written agreement with an athletic team or a sports team based outside the State;

    (3) Is designated as the team physician by the athletic or sports team to provide medical care to the team's members, band members, cheerleading squad, mascot, coaches, and other staff who travel to a specified sporting event taking place in the State;

    (4) While in the State, provides medical care only to individuals listed in item 3 of this item;

    (5) Does not provide medical care in the State for more than 45 days in a calendar year; and

    (6) Does not engage in the practice of medicine at a hospital, related institution, or other health care facility, including an acute care facility, located within the State; or

  (iii) Is engaged in clinical training or participates in training or teaching of a skill or procedure in a hospital if:

    (1) The skill or procedure:

    (A) Is advanced beyond those skills or procedures normally taught or exercised in the hospital and in standard medical education or training;

    (B) Could not be otherwise conveniently taught or demonstrated in standard medical education or training in that hospital; and

    (C) Is likely to benefit Maryland patients in this instance;

    (2) The demonstration of all skills or procedures by the physician does not exceed 14 days total in the calendar year;

    (3) A licensed physician who practices at a hospital in the State will be responsible for the medical care provided by that visiting physician to patients in the State;

    (4) The visiting physician has no history of any medical disciplinary action in any other state, territory, nation, or any branch of the uniformed services or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and has no significant detrimental malpractice history;

    (5) The physician is covered by malpractice insurance in the jurisdiction in which the physician practices; and

    (6) The hospital ensures that the patients will be protected by adequate malpractice insurance;

(3) A physician employed in the service of the federal government while practicing within the scope of the employment;

(4) A physician who resides in and is authorized to practice medicine by any state adjoining this State for the purpose of prescribing home health services to a patient who resides in this State, if the physician:

  (i) Does not have an office or other regularly appointed place in this State to meet patients; and

  (ii) Has performed an in-person physical examination of the patient within the jurisdictional boundaries of the adjoining state in which the prescribing physician is authorized to practice medicine; and

(5) An individual while under the supervision of a licensed physician who has specialty training in psychiatry, and whose specialty training in psychiatry has been approved by the Board, if the individual submits an application to the Board on or before October 1, 1993, and either:

  (i)

    (1) Has a master's degree from an accredited college or university; and

    (2) Has completed a graduate program accepted by the Board in a behavioral science that includes 1,000 hours of supervised clinical psychotherapy experience; or

  (ii)

    (1) Has a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; and

    (2) Has 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience that is approved by the Board.

#### Section 14-306

(a) To the extent authorized by the rules, regulations, and orders of the Board, an individual to whom duties are delegated by a licensed physician or physician assistant may perform those duties without a license as provided in this section.

(b) The individuals to whom duties may be delegated under this section include any individual authorized to practice any other health occupation regulated under this article or Sec. 13-516 of the Education Article.

(c)

  (1) The Board shall adopt rules and regulations to delineate the scope of this section.

  (2) Before the Board adopts any rule or regulation under this section, the Board shall invite and consider proposals from any individual or health group that could be affected by the rule or regulation.

(d)

  (1) If a duty that is to be delegated under this section is a part of the practice of a health occupation that is regulated under this article by another board, any rule or regulation concerning that duty shall be adopted jointly by the Board of Physicians and the board that regulates the other health occupation.

  (2) If the two boards cannot agree on a proposed rule or regulation, the proposal shall be submitted to the Secretary for a final decision.

#### Section 14-306.1

(a) In accordance with regulations adopted by the Board, a licensed physician may delegate duties to a registered cardiovascular invasive specialist assisting in the physician's performance of fluoroscopy if:

  (1) The delegated duties are limited to a cardiac catheterization procedure performed in a hospital cardiac catheterization laboratory;

  (2) The physician is physically present and personally directs each act performed by the registered cardiovascular invasive specialist;

  (3) The registered cardiovascular invasive specialist has completed the training and education and has the experience required by regulations adopted by the Board; and

  (4) The hospital in which the cardiac catheterization laboratory is located has verified and documented that the registered cardiovascular invasive specialist has completed the training and education and has the experience required by regulations adopted by the Board.

(b) The hospital in which the cardiac catheterization laboratory is located and the physician delegating duties to a registered cardiovascular invasive specialist under this section are responsible for ensuring that all requirements of this section are met for each procedure.

(c) A disciplinary panel may impose a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each instance of a hospital's failure to comply with the requirements of this section.

#### Section 14-306.2

(a)

  (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

  (2) "On-site supervision" means oversight exercised by a delegating physician who is:

    (i) Personally treating the patient;

    (ii) In the same medical office as the patient and the supervised medical graduate; and

    (iii) Immediately available to provide assistance and guidance to the supervised medical graduate for the duration of the completion of a delegated duty.

  (3) "Supervised medical graduate" means an individual who:

    (i) Has a degree of:

      (1) Doctor of medicine from a medical school that is accredited by an accrediting organization that the Board recognizes in its regulations; or

      (2) Doctor of osteopathy from a school of osteopathy in the United States, its territories or possessions, Puerto Rico, or Canada that has standards for graduation equivalent to those established by the American Osteopathic Association; and

    (ii) Has passed parts 1 and 2 of:

      (1) The United States Medical Licensing Examination; or

      (2) The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States.

(b) Subject to subsection (c) of this section and in accordance with regulations adopted by the Board, a supervised medical graduate may perform delegated duties under on-site supervision.

(c) An individual may not practice as a supervised medical graduate for a period of more than 2 years.

(d) For the purposes of this section, a delegating physician is not required to be in the presence of a patient and a supervised medical graduate during the completion of a delegated duty.

#### Section 14-306.3

(a) In accordance with regulations adopted by the Board, an individual may perform X-ray duties as a limited X-ray machine operator registered with the Board under this section without a license if the X-ray procedures:

  (1) Do not include:

    (i) Computerized or noncomputerized tomography;

    (ii) Fluoroscopy;

    (iii) Invasive radiology;

    (iv) Mammography;

    (v) Nuclear medicine;

    (vi) Radiation therapy; or

    (vii) Xerography;

  (2) Are limited to X-ray procedures of:

    (i) The chest;

    (ii) The spine, including:

      (1) The cervical spine;

      (2) The lumbar spine;

      (3) The sacroiliac joints;

      (4) The sacrum and coccyx; and

      (5) The thoracic spine;

    (iii) Lower extremities, including:

      (1) Toes;

      (2) The foot;

      (3) The ankle;

      (4) The calcaneus;

      (5) The tibia and fibula;

      (6) The knee and patella; and

      (7) The femur; and

    (iv) Upper extremities, including:

      (1) Fingers;

      (2) The hand;

      (3) The wrist;

      (4) The forearm;

      (5) The elbow;

      (6) The humerus;

      (7) The shoulder;

      (8) The clavicle;

      (9) Acromioclavicular joints; and

      (10) The scapula;

  (3) Are performed under the supervision of a licensed physician or radiographer who is on-site or able to provide immediately available direction; and

  (4) Are performed by an individual who has registered with the Board and attests:

    (i) To the successful completion of at least 6 months of clinical care experience;

    (ii) To the successful completion of:

      (1) A limited X-ray educational program; or

      (2) The first year of an accredited radiologic technologist program in good standing with the Board;

    (iii) To the successful completion of at least 115 hours of didactic training delivered by a radiologic technologist certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists providing instruction in radiographic anatomy, procedures, and pathology, digital image acquisition and display, fundamentals, ethics, and laws of health care, human anatomy and physiology, image production and analysis, imaging equipment and radiation production, medical terminology, and patient care;

    (iv) To the successful completion of at least 480 hours of clinical training;

    (v) To the successful completion of a minimum of five competencies in each body part listed under subsection (a)(2) of this section under the direct supervision of a radiologic technologist certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists; and

    (vi) To the successful achievement of a passing score, as determined by the Board, on the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists examination for limited scope of practice in radiography or an alternative examination approved by the Board.

(b) If the applicant completed the first year of an accredited radiologic technologist educational program, the program director of the educational program shall provide an attestation directly to the Board stating that the applicant meets or exceeds the requirements of subsection (a)(4)(i), (ii)2, (iii), (iv), (v), and (vi) of this section.

(c) An individual seeking registration under this section shall:

  (1) Apply for registration on a form supplied by the Board;

  (2) Pay the registration fee established by the Board; and

  (3) Complete any other requirements established by the Board.

(d) If an individual was denied a license by the Board, the individual is not eligible for registration under this section.

(e) An individual registered under this section shall complete at least 24 hours of approved continuing education credits earned during the 2-year period immediately preceding the expiration of a registration.

(f)

  (1) The term of a registration may not exceed 3 years.

  (2) A registration shall expire on a date established by the Board.

  (3) To renew a registration, the registrant must:

    (i) Apply for renewal on a form supplied by the Board;

    (ii) Pay the renewal fee established by the Board; and

    (iii) Complete any other requirements established by the Board.

(g) An applicant for registration shall complete a criminal history records check in accordance with Sec. 14-308.1 of this subtitle.

(h)

  (1) The Board shall set reasonable fees for the issuance and renewal of registrations and other services provided.

  (2) The fees charged shall be set so as to produce funds to approximate the cost of maintaining the registration program and other services provided to registrants under this section.

(i) In accordance with regulations adopted by the Board, a physician's office that employs an individual authorized to perform X-ray duties without a license under this section is responsible for ensuring that all requirements of this section are met for each X-ray examination performed.

(j) If an unregistered individual performs X-ray duties without meeting the requirements of this section, the Board may impose a civil penalty of up to:

  (1) $5,000 for each violation on the physician's office where the violation occurred; and

  (2) $1,000 for each violation on the individual who committed the violation.

#### Section 14-306.4

(a) Subject to the hearing provisions of Sec. 14-405 of this title, a disciplinary panel, on the affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum of the disciplinary panel, may deny a registration to practice as a limited X-ray machine operator to any applicant, reprimand any limited X-ray machine operator registrant, place any registrant on probation, or suspend or revoke a registration, if the applicant or registrant:

  (1) Fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain a registration for the applicant, registrant, or for another;

  (2) Fraudulently or deceptively uses a registration;

  (3) Is guilty of:

    (i) Immoral conduct in the practice of limited X-ray machine operation; or

    (ii) Unprofessional conduct in the practice of limited X-ray machine operation;

  (4) Is:

    (i) Professionally incompetent;

    (ii) Physically incompetent; or

    (iii) Mentally incompetent;

  (5) Abandons a patient;

  (6) Is habitually intoxicated;

  (7) Is addicted to or habitually abuses any narcotic or controlled dangerous substance as defined in Sec. 5-101 of the Criminal Law Article;

  (8) Provides professional services while:

    (i) Under the influence of alcohol; or

    (ii) Using any narcotic or controlled dangerous substance as defined in Sec. 5-101 of the Criminal Law Article or any other drug that is in excess of therapeutic amounts or without valid medical indication;

  (9) Promotes the sale of services, drugs, devices, appliances, or goods to a patient so as to exploit the patient for financial gain;

  (10) Willfully makes or files a false report or record in the practice of limited X-ray machine operation;

  (11) Willfully fails to file or record any report as required under law, willfully impedes or obstructs the filing or recording of a report, or induces another to fail to file or record a report;

  (12) Breaches patient confidentiality;

  (13) Pays or agrees to pay any sum or provide any form of remuneration or material benefit to any person for bringing or referring a patient or accepts or agrees to accept any sum or any form of remuneration or material benefit from an individual for bringing or referring a patient;

  (14) Willfully makes a misrepresentation while practicing limited X-ray machine operation;

  (15) Willfully practices limited X-ray machine operation with an unauthorized individual or aids an unauthorized individual in the practice of limited X-ray machine operation;

  (16) Offers, undertakes, or agrees to cure or treat disease by a secret method, treatment, or medicine;

  (17) Is disciplined by a licensing or disciplinary authority or is convicted or disciplined by a court of any state or country or is disciplined by any branch of the uniformed services or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for an act that would be grounds for disciplinary action under the Board's disciplinary statutes;

  (18) Fails to meet appropriate standards for the delivery of quality limited X-ray machine operation care performed in any outpatient surgical facility, office, hospital or related institution, or any other location in this State;

  (19) Willfully submits false statements to collect fees for which services are not provided;

  (20)

    (i) Has been subject to investigation or disciplinary action by a disciplinary authority or by a court of any state or country for an act that would be grounds for disciplinary action under the Board's disciplinary statutes; and

    (ii) Has:

      (1) Surrendered the license, registration, certification, or permit issued by the State or country; or

      (2) Allowed the license, registration, certification, or permit issued by the State or country to expire or lapse;

  (21) Willfully fails to report suspected child abuse in violation of Sec. 5-704 of the Family Law Article;

  (22) Sells, prescribes, gives away, or administers drugs for illegal or illegitimate medical purposes;

  (23) Practices or attempts to practice beyond the authorized scope of practice;

  (24) Refuses, withholds from, denies, or discriminates against an individual with regard to the provision of professional services for which the licensee is licensed and qualified to render because the individual is HIV positive;

  (25) Practices or attempts to practice a limited X-ray machine operation procedure or uses limited X-ray machine operation equipment if the applicant or registrant has not received an education, an internship, training, or experience in the performance of the procedure or the use of the equipment;

  (26) Fails to cooperate with a lawful investigation conducted by the Board or a disciplinary panel;

  (27) Fails to practice under the supervision of a licensed physician or licensed radiographer or violates a supervisory order of a supervising physician or supervising radiographer; or

  (28) Fails to complete a criminal history records check under Sec. 14-308.1 of this subtitle.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in the Administrative Procedure Act, before the Board or a disciplinary panel takes any action under subsection (a) of this section, the Board or a disciplinary panel shall give the individual against whom the action is contemplated an opportunity for a hearing before the Board or the disciplinary panel in accordance with the hearing requirements of Sec. 14-405 of this title.

(c)

  (1) On the filing of certified docket entries with the Board by the Office of the Attorney General, a disciplinary panel shall order the suspension of a registration if the registrant is convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere with respect to a crime involving moral turpitude, whether or not any appeal or other proceeding is pending to have the conviction or plea set aside.

  (2) After completion of the appellate process, if the conviction has not been reversed or the plea has not been set aside with respect to a crime involving moral turpitude, a disciplinary panel shall order the revocation of a registration on the certification by the Office of the Attorney General.

(d) If, after a hearing under Sec. 14-405 of this title, a disciplinary panel finds that there are grounds under subsection (a) of this section to suspend or revoke a registration, to reprimand a registrant, or to place a registrant on probation, the disciplinary panel may impose a fine subject to the Board's regulations in addition to suspending or revoking the license, reprimanding the registrant, or placing the registrant on probation.

(e) In addition to any sanction authorized under this section, a disciplinary panel may require a registrant to comply with specified terms and conditions determined by the disciplinary panel.

#### Section 14-307

(a) To qualify for a license, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the requirements of this section.

(b) The applicant shall be of good moral character.

(c) The applicant shall be at least 18 years old.

(d) Except as provided in Sec. 14-308 of this subtitle, the applicant shall:

  (1)

    (i) Have a degree of doctor of medicine from a medical school that is accredited by an accrediting organization that the Board recognizes in its regulations; and

    (ii) Submit evidence acceptable to the Board of successful completion of 1 year of training in a postgraduate medical training program that is accredited by an accrediting organization that the Board recognizes in its regulations; or

  (2)

    (i) Have a degree of doctor of osteopathy from a school of osteopathy in the United States, its territories or possessions, Puerto Rico, or Canada that has standards for graduation equivalent to those established by the American Osteopathic Association; and

    (ii) Submit evidence acceptable to the Board of successful completion of 1 year of training in a postgraduate medical training program accredited by an accrediting organization that the Board recognizes in its regulations.

(e) Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, the applicant shall meet any education, certification, training, or examination requirements established by the Board.

(f) The applicant shall meet any other qualifications that the Board establishes in its regulations for license applicants.

(g) An otherwise qualified applicant who passes the examination after having failed the examination or any part of the examination 3 or more times may qualify for a license only if the applicant:

  (1) Has successfully completed 2 or more years of a residency or fellowship accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association;

  (2)

    (i) Has a minimum of 5 years of clinical practice of medicine:

      (1) In the United States or in Canada;

      (2) With at least 3 of the 5 years having occurred within 5 years of the date of the application; and

      (3) That occurred under a full unrestricted license to practice medicine; and

    (ii) Has no disciplinary action pending and has had no disciplinary action taken against the applicant that would be grounds for discipline under Sec. 14-404 of this title; or

  (3) Is board certified.

(h)

  (1) The Board shall require as part of its examination or licensing procedures that an applicant for a license to practice medicine demonstrate an oral and written competency in the English language.

  (2) Graduation from a recognized English-speaking undergraduate school or high school, including General Education Development (GED), after at least 3 years of enrollment, or from a recognized English-speaking professional school is acceptable as proof of proficiency in the oral and written communication of the English language under this section.

  (3) By regulation, the Board shall develop a procedure for testing individuals who because of their speech impairment are unable to complete satisfactorily a Board approved standardized test of oral competency.

  (4) If any disciplinary charges or action that involves a problem with the oral and written communication of the English language are brought against a licensee under this title, the Board shall require the licensee to take and pass a Board approved standardized test of oral and written competency.

(i) The applicant shall complete a criminal history records check in accordance with Sec. 14-308.1 of this subtitle.

(j)

  (1) The Board shall license an applicant to practice medicine if:

    (i) The applicant:

      (1) Became licensed or certified as a physician in another jurisdiction under requirements that the Board determines are substantially equivalent to the licensing requirements of this title;

      (2) Is in good standing under the laws of the other jurisdiction;

      (3) Submits an application to the Board on a form that the Board requires; and

      (4) Pays to the Board an application fee set by the Board; and

    (ii) The jurisdiction in which the applicant is licensed or certified offers a similar reciprocal licensing process for individuals licensed to practice medicine by the Board.

  (2) The Board shall adopt regulations to implement this subsection.

#### Section 14-308

(a)

  (1) In this section the following terms have the meanings indicated.

  (2) "Fifth pathway program" means a program that the Board approves in its regulations for a student who:

    (i) Has studied medicine at an international medical school;

    (ii) Was a United States citizen when the student enrolled in the international medical school; and

    (iii) Has completed all of the formal requirements for graduation from the international medical school, except for any social service or postgraduate requirements.

  (3) "International medical school" means a medical school located outside of the United States, its territories or possessions, Puerto Rico, or Canada.

(b) An applicant for a license is exempt from the educational requirements of Sec. 14-307 of this subtitle, if the applicant:

  (1) Has studied medicine at an international medical school;

  (2) Is certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates or by its successor as approved by the Board;

  (3) Passes a qualifying examination for international medical school graduates required by the Board;

  (4) Meets any other qualifications for international medical school graduates that the Board establishes in its regulation for licensing of applicants;

  (5) Submits acceptable evidence to the Board of the requirements set in the Board's regulations; and

  (6) Meets one of the following requirements:

    (i) The applicant graduated from any international medical school and submits evidence acceptable to the Board of successful completion of 2 years of training in a postgraduate medical education program accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Board; or

    (ii) The applicant successfully completed a fifth pathway program and submits evidence acceptable to the Board that the applicant:

      (1) Has a document issued by the international medical school certifying that the applicant completed all of the formal requirements of that school for the study of medicine, except for the postgraduate or social service components as required by the international country or its medical school;

      (2) Has successfully completed a fifth pathway program; and

      (3) Has successfully completed 2 years of training in a postgraduate medical education program following completion of a Board approved fifth pathway program.

#### Section 14-308.1

(a) In this section, "Central Repository" means the Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

(b) An applicant, a licensee, or a certificate holder shall apply to the Central Repository for a State and national criminal history records check.

(c) As part of the application required under subsection (b) of this section, an individual shall submit to the Central Repository:

  (1) Two complete sets of legible fingerprints taken on forms approved by the Director of the Central Repository and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation;

  (2) The fee authorized under Sec. 10-221(b)(7) of the Criminal Procedure Article for access to State criminal history records; and

  (3) The mandatory processing fee required by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history records check.

(d) In accordance with Sec.Sec. 10-201 through 10-229 of the Criminal Procedure Article, the Central Repository shall forward to the Board and to the individual the criminal history record information of the individual.

(e) If criminal history record information is reported to the Central Repository after the date of the initial criminal history records check, the Central Repository shall provide to the Board and the individual a revised printed statement of the individual's State criminal history record.

(f) Information obtained from the Central Repository under this section:

  (1) Is confidential;

  (2) May not be redisseminated; and

  (3) May be used only for the licensing purpose authorized by this title.

(g) The subject of a criminal history records check under this section may contest the contents of the printed statement issued by the Central Repository as provided in Sec. 10-223 of the Criminal Procedure Article.

#### Section 14-309

To apply for a license, an applicant shall:

(1) Complete a criminal history records check in accordance with Sec. 14-308.1 of this subtitle;

(2) Submit an application to the Board on the form that the Board requires; and

(3) Pay to the Board the application fee set by the Board.

#### Section 14-311

(a) An applicant who otherwise qualifies for a license under this title is entitled to sit for an examination as provided under this section or any regulations adopted to carry out this section.

(b) An applicant shall:

  (1) Attain on the federation licensing examination or the United States Medical Licensing Examination a passing score as set by the Board under its rules and regulations; or

  (2) Hold a certificate of proficiency and professional standing of:

    (i) The National Board of Medical Examiners;

    (ii) The board of medical examiners of this State or any other state that was issued before January 1, 1985;

    (iii) The National Board of Examiners for Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, if the certificate is issued after January 1, 1971; or

    (iv) The Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada.

#### Section 14-312

On request of the Board, a physician who reports to the Board that the physician maintains medical professional liability insurance for purposes of the public individual profile maintained by the Board under Sec. 14-411.1(b) of this title shall provide the Board with verification or other documentation that the physician maintains the insurance within 25 business days after the physician receives a request from the Board.

#### Section 14-313

(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the Board shall issue a license to any applicant who meets the requirements of this title.

(b)

  (1) On receipt of the criminal history record information of an applicant for licensure forwarded to the Board in accordance with Sec. 14-308.1 of this subtitle, in determining whether to issue a license, the Board shall consider:

    (i) The age at which the crime was committed;

    (ii) The nature of the crime;

    (iii) The circumstances surrounding the crime;

    (iv) The length of time that has passed since the crime;

    (v) Subsequent work history;

    (vi) Employment and character references; and

    (vii) Other evidence that demonstrates whether the applicant poses a threat to the public health or safety.

  (2) The Board may not issue a license if the criminal history record information required under Sec. 14-308.1 of this subtitle has not been received.

#### Section 14-313.1

(a) Within 30 days after receiving a request from the Board, a compact physician shall provide to the Board verification, on a form provided by the Board, that the compact physician satisfies the requirements for licensure under this subtitle.

(b) Refusal by a compact physician to provide the verification requested under subsection (a) of this section may not be considered a basis for denial of a license under the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact established under Sec. 14-3A-01 of this title.

#### Section 14-314

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this title, a license authorizes the licensee to practice medicine while the license is effective.

(b) A licensee may practice medicine using only the name in which the license is issued.

#### Section 14-315

(a) The Board shall issue a license free of charge to any physician who:

  (1) Provides medical services to patients for which the physician receives no personal remuneration;

  (2) Is not engaged in the private practice of medicine; and

  (3) Otherwise qualifies for a license under this title.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, each license issued under this section expires on a date set by the Board and may be renewed for a term set by the Board.

(c)

  (1) If, at any time, a physician licensed under this section ceases to meet the requirements of subsection (a)(1) or (2) of this section, the licensee shall notify the Board of the status change.

  (2) On receipt of this notice, the Board shall charge the physician the license fee otherwise required under this subtitle.

#### Section 14-316

(a)

  (1) This subsection does not apply to a physician who is on inactive status under Sec. 14-320 of this subtitle or emeritus status under Sec. 14-320.1 of this subtitle.

  (2) The term of a license issued by the Board may not exceed 3 years.

  (3) A license expires on a date set by the Board, unless the license is renewed for an additional term as provided in this section.

(b)

  (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, at least 1 month before the license expires, the Board shall send to the licensee, by electronic or first-class mail to the last known electronic or physical address of the licensee a renewal notice that states:

    (i) The date on which the current license expires;

    (ii) The date by which the renewal application must be received by the Board for the renewal to be issued and mailed before the license expires; and

    (iii) The amount of the renewal fee.

  (2) If the Board chooses to send renewal notices exclusively by electronic mail under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Board shall send a renewal notice by first-class mail to a licensee on request of the licensee.

(c)

  (1) Before the license expires, the licensee periodically may renew it for an additional term, if the licensee:

    (i) Otherwise is entitled to be licensed;

    (ii) Is of good moral character;

    (iii) Pays to the Board a renewal fee set by the Board;

    (iv) Submits to the Board:

      (1) A renewal application on the form that the Board requires; and

      (2) Satisfactory evidence of compliance with any continuing education or competency requirements set under this section for license renewal; and

    (v) Meets any additional license renewal requirements established by the Board.

  (2) Within 30 days after a license renewal under Section 7 of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact established under Sec. 14-3A-01 of this title, a compact physician shall submit to the Board the information required under paragraph (1)(iv) of this subsection.

(d)

  (1) In addition to any other qualifications and requirements established by the Board, the Board may establish continuing education or competency requirements as a condition to the renewal of licenses under this section.

  (2) In establishing these requirements, the Board shall evaluate existing methods, devices, and programs in use among the various medical specialties and other recognized medical groups.

  (3) The Board shall adopt regulations that allow a licensee seeking renewal to receive up to 5 continuing education credits per renewal period for providing uncompensated, voluntary medical services during each renewal period.

  (4) The Board may not establish or enforce these requirements if they would so reduce the number of physicians in a community as to jeopardize the availability of adequate medical care in that community.

  (5) The Board may not establish a continuing education requirement that every licensee complete a specific course or program as a condition to the renewal of a license under this section.

  (6) A disciplinary panel may impose a civil penalty of up to $100 per continuing medical education credit in lieu of a sanction under Sec. 14-404 of this title, for a first offense, for the failure of a licensee to obtain the continuing medical education credits required by the Board.

(e) The Board shall renew the license of each licensee who meets the requirements of this section.

(f)

  (1) A licensee shall notify the Board in writing of a change in name or address within 30 days after the change.

  (2) A licensee who fails to comply with paragraph (1) of this subsection is subject to an administrative penalty of $100.

(g)

  (1) Beginning October 1, 2016, the Board shall require a criminal history records check in accordance with Sec. 14-308.1 of this subtitle for:

    (i) Renewal applicants as determined by regulations adopted by the Board; and

    (ii) Each former licensee who files for reinstatement under Sec. 14-317 of this subtitle.

  (2) On receipt of the criminal history record information of a licensee forwarded to the Board in accordance with Sec. 14-308.1 of this subtitle, in determining whether disciplinary action should be taken, based on the criminal record information, against a licensee who renewed or reinstated a license, the Board shall consider:

    (i) The age at which the crime was committed;

    (ii) The nature of the crime;

    (iii) The circumstances surrounding the crime;

    (iv) The length of time that has passed since the crime;

    (v) Subsequent work history;

    (vi) Employment and character references; and

    (vii) Other evidence that demonstrates whether the licensee poses a threat to the public health or safety.

  (3) The Board may renew or reinstate a license only if the licensee or applicant attests that the licensee or applicant has submitted to a criminal history records check under Sec. 14-308.1 of this subtitle.

#### Section 14-317

The Board shall reinstate the license of a physician who has failed to renew the license for any reason, is on inactive status under Sec. 14-320 of this subtitle, or is on emeritus status under Sec. 14-320.1 of this subtitle if the physician:

(1) Meets the renewal requirements of Sec. 14-316 of this subtitle;

(2) Submits a reinstatement application on the form that the Board requires;

(3) Pays to the Board a reinstatement fee set by the Board;

(4) Submits to the Board satisfactory evidence of compliance with the qualifications and requirements established under this title for license reinstatements; and

(5) Meets any additional license reinstatement requirements established by the Board.

#### Section 14-318

(a) If an applicant is qualified as a postgraduate teacher, the Board may:

  (1) Waive the examination requirements of this subtitle for the applicant; and

  (2) Issue to the applicant a limited license to practice medicine for postgraduate teaching.

(b) Each limited license issued under this section expires on the first anniversary of its effective date.

#### Section 14-319

(a) The Board may:

  (1) License an applicant by virtue of the conceded eminence and authority of the applicant in the profession if the applicant:

    (i) Is recommended to the Board by:

      (1) The dean of a school of medicine in the State; or

      (2) The Director of the National Institutes of Health;

    (ii) Is to receive an appointment at the institution making the recommendation under item (i) of this paragraph; and

    (iii) Meets any other requirement the Board may adopt by regulation under this section;

  (2) Define by regulation the term "conceded eminence and authority in the profession" and, for this purpose, shall consider such criteria as:

    (i) Academic appointments;

    (ii) Length of time in the profession;

    (iii) Scholarly publications; and

    (iv) Professional accomplishments;

  (3) Adopt regulations concerning the further qualifications of an applicant for licensure, including conditions of employment, application procedures, and fees under this section;

  (4) Allow an exception to the general education and examination requirements of Sec. 14-307(d) and (e) of this subtitle, but may not permit waiver of the requirements of Sec. 14-307(a) through (c) of this subtitle;

  (5) Qualify, restrict, or otherwise limit a license granted under this section; and

  (6) Require a 6-month probationary period during which the medical services performed by the applicant granted a license under this section are supervised by another licensed physician.

(b) Upon judicial review, a determination by the Board under this section shall be accorded the maximum deference permitted by law.

#### Section 14-320

(a) The Board may place a licensee on inactive status, if the licensee submits to the Board:

  (1) An application for inactive status on the form required by the Board; and

  (2) The inactive status fee set by the Board.

(b) A licensee on inactive status is exempt from the continuing education requirements under Sec. 14-316(d) of this subtitle.

#### Section 14-320.1

(a) The Board may place a licensee on emeritus status, if the licensee submits to the Board:

  (1) An application for emeritus status on the form required by the Board; and

  (2) The emeritus status fee set by the Board.

(b) The Board shall place a licensee on emeritus status if the individual:

  (1) Has an active, unrestricted license to practice medicine under this subtitle;

  (2) Is not under investigation by the Board for a violation of this title;

  (3) Has practiced medicine in this State for at least 10 years;

  (4) Has not been the subject of disciplinary action in a jurisdiction where the individual is licensed that resulted in the revocation or suspension of the individual's license; and

  (5) Attests that the individual is retired and is no longer actively practicing medicine in this State.

(c) A licensee on emeritus status is exempt from the continuing education requirements under Sec. 14-316(d) of this subtitle.

#### Section 14-322

Notwithstanding any other law, the Board may not require as a qualification to obtain a license or as a condition to renew a license:

(1) Certification by a nationally recognized accrediting organization that specializes in a specific area of medicine; or

(2) Maintenance of certification by a nationally recognized accrediting organization that specializes in a specific area of medicine that includes continuous reexamination to measure core competencies in the practice of medicine as a requirement for maintaining certification.

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Md. Code Ann., Health Occ. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)