Sec. 10.32.13.03. Qualifications for Special License by Conceded Eminence

A. An applicant shall:

(1) Complete an application on a form supplied by the Board;

(2) Pay an application fee set by the Board in COMAR 10.32.01.12;

(3) Be of good moral character; and

(4) Be at least 18 years old.

B. Recommendations. On a form supplied by the Board, the dean of a school of medicine in the State or the director of the National Institutes of Health shall recommend the applicant to the Board, by:

(1) Attesting to the fact that the applicant is to receive an appointment at the institution represented by the dean or director;

(2) Presenting the Board with detailed evidence of the physician’s qualifications and competence including:

(a) The nature of the physician's proposed responsibilities;

(b) Reasons for any limitations of the physician's practice responsibilities; and

(c) The degree of supervision under which the physician will function; and

(3) Presenting the Board with a detailed statement describing the applicant’s conceded eminence and authority in the profession.

C. Evidence of Teaching, Research, and Achievement. An applicant shall demonstrate eminence and authority in the profession by meeting the following qualifications:

(1) Have held an appointment at a medical school approved by the LCME or at any medical school listed in the World Health Organization directory at the level of associate or full professor, or its equivalent, for at least 5 years;

(2) Have actively practiced medicine cumulatively for 10 years after completion of postgraduate training, including clinical research;

(3) Be a member in good standing of a board of the American Board of Medical Specialties or other equivalent specialty board;

(4) Possess a current, active, unrestricted license to practice medicine in another state or country, or be otherwise recognized under the laws of the other country or jurisdiction as a medical doctor in that jurisdiction; and

(5) Within 10 years before the application:

(a) Have:

(i) Published original results of clinical research, as first author or last author, in a medical journal listed in the Index Medicus or in an equivalent scholarly publication acceptable to the Board; and

(ii) Submitted these articles to the Board in English or in a foreign language with verifiable, certified translations in English; or

(b) Have developed a treatment modality, surgical technique, or other verified original contribution to the field of medicine, which is attested to by the dean of a school of medicine in the State or by the director of the National Institutes of Health.

D. Supervision. The Board shall require an applicant to submit:

(1) The name of a licensed physician who will supervise the medical services provided by the applicant for the first 6 months of practice; and

(2) A detailed description of the medical services, duties, and responsibilities that the applicant will perform.

E. Additional Requirements for License by Conceded Eminence and Authority in the Profession.

(1) The Board may require additional information which includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(a) A letter from the chief of staff of any hospital where the applicant has practiced within the 5 years preceding the application for license under this chapter, detailing the applicant's competence to practice medicine;

(b) A detailed description of activities including, but not limited to, the following:

(i) Any action, by any state licensing or disciplinary board, or any comparable body in the armed services, denying an application for licensure, reinstatement, or renewal;

(ii) Any action taken against the physician's license, by any state licensing or disciplinary board, or any comparable body in the armed services, including but not limited to limitations of practice, required education, admonishment, reprimand, suspension, or revocation for an act that would be grounds for disciplinary action under Health Occupations Article, §14-404, Annotated Code of Maryland;

(iii) Any investigations or charges brought against the physician by any licensing or disciplinary body or comparable body in the armed services;

(iv) Any medical or health professional licenses for which the physician has applied when the application was withdrawn for reasons that would be grounds for disciplinary action under Health Occupations Article, §14-404, Annotated Code of Maryland;

(v) Any investigations or charges brought against the physician by any hospital, related institution, or alternative health care system that might be grounds for action under Health Occupations Article, §14-404, Annotated Code of Maryland;

(vi) Any limitations or loss in privileges by any hospital, related health care facility, or alternative health care system that would be grounds for disciplinary action under Health Occupations Article, §14-404, Annotated Code of Maryland;

(vii) Any pleas of guilty or nolo contendere, or convictions, or receipt of probation before judgment for any criminal act;

(viii) Any pleas of guilty or nolo contendere, or convictions, or receipt of probation before judgment for any alcohol or controlled dangerous substance offense including, but not limited to, driving while under the influence of alcohol or controlled dangerous substances;

(ix) Any arrests which would provide a basis for investigation or charges that would be grounds for disciplinary action under Health Occupations Article, §14-404, Annotated Code of Maryland;

(x) Any illness or condition which has impaired the physician's ability to practice medicine within the 3 years before, or during the pendency of, the application;

(xi) Any treatment for alcohol abuse, substance abuse, or chemical dependence; and

(xii) The filing or settling of any medical malpractice actions in which the physician is, or has been, named as a defendant;

(c) Malpractice history;

(d) Driving record, including but not limited to convictions for driving while intoxicated or while under the influence of any chemical substance or medication;

(e) Medical licensing examination results;

(f) Physical or mental examinations, or both, by a physician or evaluation program for treatment of impaired physicians, or both, chosen by the Board.

(2) On forms supplied by the Board, an applicant shall:

(a) Agree to release to the Board information from other institutions and government agencies including, but not limited to, the National Practitioner Data Bank, hospitals, and other licensing bodies; and

(b) Allow the Board to release information which is not statutorily protected.

(3) An applicant for licensure under this chapter shall agree to inform the Board by certified mail, return receipt requested, within 30 days of receiving notice of any action listed in this section.

F. English Language Competency. An applicant shall demonstrate oral and written English language competency as described in COMAR 10.32.01.04D.

G. Claim of Speech Impairment. An applicant wishing to claim a speech impairment shall submit documentation of this impairment on forms supplied by the Board as described in COMAR 10.32.01.04E.

H. Withdrawals. An application may not be withdrawn if the applicant is under investigation or charges for reasons that may be grounds under Health Occupations Article, §14-404, Annotated Code of Maryland, if the applicant were licensed in this State.