House Bill 646

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-25-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE FINGERPRINTING OF APPLICANTS FOR A MEDICAL LICENSE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 73-25-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-25-3. Every person who desires to obtain a license to practice medicine must apply therefor, in writing, to the State Board of Medical Licensure at least ten (10) days before the date of the examination and must be examined by said board according to the methods deemed by it to be the most practical and expeditious to test the applicants' qualifications, and if the applicant be found by the board, upon examination, to possess sufficient learning in said branches and to be of good moral character, the board shall issue him a license to practice medicine; provided that no applicant shall be granted a license unless said applicant shall hold a diploma from a reputable medical college or college of osteopathic medicine that requires a four-year course of at least thirty-two (32) weeks for each session, or its equivalent.

To qualify for a Mississippi medical license an applicant must have successfully been cleared for licensure through an investigation which shall consist of a determination as to good moral character and verification that the prospective licensee is not guilty of or in violation of any statutory ground for denial of licensure as set forth in Sections 73-25-29 and 73-25-83. To assist the board in conducting its licensure investigation, all applicants shall be fingerprinted. All fingerprints taken shall be forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation or other law enforcement agency for analysis.

This section shall not apply to applicants for a special volunteer medical license authorized under Section 73-25-18.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.