Do I need to repeat residency to work in the US?

[Susy]

I am a British doctor currently on the GP training scheme. When I've completed it, my American husband and I would like to move to the States. By that time I will have 5 years postgraduate experience as a doctor. Is there any way I can work as a doctor in the USA without having to repeat a residency programme?

[Scottish Chap]

I am a British doctor currently on the GP training scheme. When I've completed it, my American husband and I would like to move to the States. By that time I will have 5 years postgraduate experience as a doctor. Is there any way I can work as a doctor in the USA without having to repeat a residency programme?

Unfortunately, you are pretty much looking at repeating residency training stateside if you want to obtain a license to practice medicine in any state.

I met one MRCP in Baltimore who managed to get partial credit for at least two years of residency with the condition that he completed an internship (first post-graduate year) in medicine in the U.S. Also, keep in mind that you'll also need to take the USMLE exams and get your ECFMG certificate. It makes no sense that the U.S. does this to highly-qualified physicians, but the system is what it is.


Good luck!

[giella]

Basing what I know about this mostly on what a friend of mine who I haven't seen for five years told me, but she did an internship in an american hospital, with 5 years post-grad experience in the UK, and the internship year was enough to gain her american medical licence. There'll be some info out there somewhere. Check immigration websites etc.
Happy new year everyone. First post of 2009 for me.