license without board certificate

There's no specific website. If you look at the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery's website ( www.abos.org ), you should be able to search through and find details regarding the Distinguished Scholars pathway. As I stated in my post, however, the only way (that i know of) for an FMG to "practice in an academic setting" would through a fellowship. So basically, in my opinion, you need to be looking for and applying for orthopaedic fellowships.

Also, just an update of my previous post, regarding the medical license: Medical Licensure is state-dependent. Some states require a year of residency before issuing it, others do not. Every state has different requirements for licensure, if you go through the USMLE website and search for how to register for step 3, you should come across a page that has (or links to) the information on each state's requirement for licensure.

Hope this helps!

AS

Arthroscopic Spine

Can you please throw some more light when you said that IMG can sit for boards if they have 3-4 fellowship training in US AND institution can sponser them. Can you please tell me in detail, what is this sponsership? and is this pathway different than distinguished scholar pathway?

I'm very sorry to disappoint you, but I don't have many details. I only posted what I've gathered from my own search on the ABOS's website, as well as info from conversations I've had with IMGs trying to do ortho in the US. One of the conversations I had was with a fellow who had done numerous fellowships and then was hired on staff at an academic institution, very recently. However, out of respect I didn't inquire further as it was none of my business nor was the information of any use to me personally.

I think your best bet is to search the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery's website, make email/phone inquiries and they should be able to provide you with more specific information regarding the Distinguished Scholar pathway and how it has been used by other IMGs to become board certified as well as how it can apply to you specifically.

Of course, if i come across any more detailed information, I will be sure to post it...

AS

My understanding is that you need 5 years of an academic orthopedic job. my question is, does that job mean a faculty job like an attending?? that would be hard to get in the first place for a non board-certified. or does it mean multiple ACGME accredited fellowships?? those might be easier.

it is really frustrating. I'm a US citizen and I've completed my ortho residency overseas now at the cross roads, no one is accepting me in a residency although by USMLE is in the 90's and I'm afraid if I go through the fellowship track I can't find jobs since I'm not board certified. I don't understand how this country claims to be the land of opportunities if they're putting so many obstacles for people. There's no equal opportunities here. if you don't trust my knowledge and training, give me a test (The Board Exams) isn't that what they're made for? to evaluate people. if you don't trust my surgical abilities, training fellowships should sufice since they are under supervision. otherwise, give me a good alternative. This is just a disgrace for all the people setting those stupid rules because they are simply too afraid of the real competition so they put those irrational rules to protect themselves and their interests not protect the patients.

My understanding is that you need 5 years of an academic orthopedic job. my question is, does that job mean a faculty job like an attending?? that would be hard to get in the first place for a non board-certified. or does it mean multiple ACGME accredited fellowships?? those might be easier.

it is really frustrating. I'm a US citizen and I've completed my ortho residency overseas now at the cross roads, no one is accepting me in a residency although by USMLE is in the 90's and I'm afraid if I go through the fellowship track I can't find jobs since I'm not board certified. I don't understand how this country claims to be the land of opportunities if they're putting so many obstacles for people. There's no equal opportunities here. if you don't trust my knowledge and training, give me a test (The Board Exams) isn't that what they're made for? to evaluate people. if you don't trust my surgical abilities, training fellowships should sufice since they are under supervision. otherwise, give me a good alternative. This is just a disgrace for all the people setting those stupid rules because they are simply too afraid of the real competition so they put those irrational rules to protect themselves and their interests not protect the patients.

I by no means know a lot about orthopaedic board certification. But seems like you are missing a point here.

I don't understand how this country claims to be the land of opportunities if they're putting so many obstacles for people. There's no equal opportunities here

This country is not claiming anything. It's the people that believe that one can achieve almost anything with hard work and perseverance. The government never promised that they will give the same opportunity to hold peopl's lives in their hands to the "less qualified winers".

if you don't trust my knowledge and training, give me a test (The Board Exams) isn't that what they're made for? to evaluate people.

Exactly right. And they gave you the test and you scored in the 90's. What was the 3 digit number? 220's or 230's? Oh really?
There are plenty American Graduates with scores of 250 and above that don't match every year. Why don't you wine that they don't get the equal opportunity? There are simply not enough residency positions to accomodate everyone. So just because you are an orthopaedic surgeon from another country with less than stellar board scores, we should bend over and take you like the next best thing since sliced bread. Oh really?

Unfortunately your logic is flawed.
I personally believe that it is the best country in the world AND the land of equal ooportunity. But, don't forget, it is also the land of Competition. And the smartest and most hard working get the prize.

My advise to you:
1. Stop wining.
2. Get yourself into research. Dedicated people willing to spend 2-3 years are always in high demand.
3. With research, strong letters of recommendation you have a much better chance at matching even with your scores.

Just my humble opinion.

I appreciate your advice but I'm not whining. you say there are limited residency spots which is true. I already finished my residency overseas and I have a masters in ortho, european training and working on my PhD so when I speak to residency directors they say "you're over qualified" why don't you just take a couple of fellowships and get a license which is fine with me. The trouble is even with a license it's hard to find a job because i wouldn't be board certified and this i the run around the board is giving people like me. I wouldn't care less about the board exam it's just an exam that I can prepare for and pass. My problem is denying me the right to sit for it although I'm an orthopedic surgeon.

The system approves my training as sufficient to take a fellowship but not sufficient to sit for the test which is hypocritical and and they don't want to provide a doable alternate path for board certification without repeating the residency. And then when I do apply for residency they say you're over qualified.

Denying someone the right to prove his capabilities is the frustrating part and that's what I refer to as unequal opportunities. Give me a test written, practical whatever, if I fail, then I don't deserve it but don't just say I'm not good enough because I'm different.

The "Stupid" part that you need to know is that I can easily get a license and start cutting people in a private practice but I can't sit for the board exam and get an academic job which is my main interest so I can do valuable research, learn and educate others.

I hope decision makers would see this so they would understand the problem.
PS; my scores were in the 240's of course many will have higher scores but I don't think scores should be the only factor anyway.