S.B. No. 424




AN ACT

relating to the deadline for passing the examination for a license 
to practice medicine in this state.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 155.051, Occupations Code, is amended by 
amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as 
follows:
	(b)  An applicant who is a graduate of a program designed to 
lead to both a doctor of philosophy degree and a doctor of medicine 
degree or doctor of osteopathy degree must pass each part of an 
examination described by Section 155.0511(2), (3), (4), (6), or (7) 
not later than the second anniversary of the date the applicant 
completed the graduate medical training described by Section 
155.003(a)(5) [was awarded a doctor of medicine degree or doctor of 
osteopathy degree].
	(c)  The time frame to pass each part of the examination 
described by Subsection (a) is extended to 10 years and the 
anniversary date to pass each part of the examination described by 
Subsection (b) is extended to the 10th anniversary if the 
applicant:
		(1)  is specialty board certified by a specialty board 
that:         
			(A)  is a member of the American Board of Medical 
Specialties; or   
			(B)  is a member of the Bureau of Osteopathic 
Specialists; or       
		(2)  has been issued a faculty temporary license, as 
prescribed by board rule, and has practiced under such a license for 
a minimum of 12 months and, at the conclusion of the 12-month 
period, has been recommended to the board by the chief 
administrative officer and the president of the institution in 
which the applicant practiced under the faculty temporary license.
	SECTION 2.  The changes in law made by this Act apply to a 
person who files an application with the Texas State Board of 
Medical Examiners for a license to practice medicine in this state 
on or after the effective date of this Act or whose license 
application is pending on the effective date of this Act.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.

                                                                              




______________________________    ______________________________
President of the Senate             Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 424 passed the Senate on 
April 7, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.




______________________________ 
   Secretary of the Senate             
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 424 passed the House on 
May 5, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0, two present 
not voting.




______________________________ 
   Chief Clerk of the House            



Approved:


______________________________ 
            Date



______________________________ 
          Governor