The proposed rule amendments are intended to delete obsolete language from the rule.

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Board of Medicine

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

64B8-5.002Licensure Examination Pursuant to Section 458.3115, Florida Statutes

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed rule amendments are intended to delete obsolete language from the rule.

SUMMARY: The Board does not administer the Florida Medical Licensure examination any longer, making much of the language in this rule unnecessary.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: During discussion of the economic impact of this rule at its Board meeting, the Board concluded that this rule change will not have any impact on licensees and their businesses or the businesses that employ them. The rule will not increase any fees, business costs, personnel costs, will not decrease profit opportunities, and will not require any specialized knowledge to comply. This change will not increase any direct or indirect regulatory costs. Hence, the Board determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs (SERC) was not necessary and that the rule will not require ratification by the Legislature. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 456.017(1)(b), 458.309, 458.3115(4) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 458.3115 FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: André Ourso, J.D., M.P.H., Executive Director, Board of Medicine/MQA, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C03, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3253.

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

64B8-5.002 Licensure Examination Pursuant to Section 458.3115, Florida Statutes.

(1) For the purpose of seeking licensure pursuant to Section 458.3115, F.S., the Board of Medicine interprets the phrase “successful completion of the licensure examination” as requiring a passing score of no less than 75 on each part of the FLEX or USMLE or a scaled score of 350 on the equivalent parts of the Department-developed examination (FMLE) within the time frame set forth in Section 458.3115, F.S.

(1) The “Florida Medical Licensure Examination” (FMLE) shall be administered by the Department and the examination consists of two parts. An applicant who chooses to take the licensure examination is required to pass both parts of the examination in order to receive a restricted license to practice medicine in the state.

(2) The FMLE examination consists of the following parts:

(a) Part I – a general written examination containing approximately 400 equally weighted questions which is intended to measure knowledge and understanding of basic and clinical science principles and mechanisms underlying diseases and modes of therapy.

(b) Part II – a written examination containing approximately 400 equally weighted questions that is intended to assess the clinical knowledge and cognitive abilities required of a physician assuming general delivery of medical care to patients.

(3) The minimum passing score for Part I, the general written examination will be a scaled score of 350. The minimum passing score for Part II, assessing clinical knowledge, will be a scaled score of 350.

(4) The questions in Part I, the general written examination, may be drawn from the entire range of medical science content, including the following subject areas:

(a) Basic Sciences – 25% of Part I of the examination. The percent distributions shown below are approximate percentages.

1. General Principles              10%

2. Hematopoietic and Lymphoreticular Systems              1.5%

3. Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems              1.5%

4. Skin and Related Connective Tissue              1.5%

5. Musculoskeletal System              1.5%

6. Respiratory System              1.5%

7. Cardiovascular System              1.5%

8. Gastrointestinal System              1.5%

9. Renal/Urinary System              1.5%

10. Reproductive System              1.5%

11. Endocrine System              1.5%

(b) Disease Processes – 75% of Part I of the Examination. The percent distributions shown below are approximate percentages.

1. General Principles              5%

2. Infectious and Parasitic Diseases              6%

3. Diseases of the Blood and Blood-Forming Organs              4%

4. Psychiatric Disorders              3%

5. Diseases of the Nervous System              5%

6. Cardiovascular Disorders              6%

7. Diseases of the Respiratory System              6%

8. Nutritional and Digestive Disorders              5%

9. Gynecologic Disorders              6%

10. Renal, Urinary, and Male Reproductive Systems              5%

11. Diseases of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Puerperium              6%

12. Disorders of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissues              3%

13. Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue              5%

14. Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders              5%

15. Disorders of the Eyes and Ears              2%

16. Immune Disorders              3%

(5) The questions in Part II, assessing clinical knowledge may be drawn from the entire range of physician behaviors, and involve normal function or pathophysiology of the following systems which are shown with approximate percentage distributions:

(a) Cardiovascular              15%

(b) Gastrointestinal              15%

(c) Neurologic              9%

(d) Psychologic/Interpersonal              6%

(e) Reproductive              7%

(f) Respiratory              15%

(g) Musculoskeletal/Dermatologic              12%

(h) Endocrine/Metabolic              13%

(i) Ophthalmologic/Otolaryncologic or Special Senses              3%

(j) Hematologic              5%

(6) For each system listed in paragraph (5) above, the questions in Part II will cover the following clinical contexts:

(a) Well-care/preventive medicine;

(b) Acute, circumscribed problems;

(c) Ill-defined presentations or problems;

(d) Chronic or progressive illness;

(e) Emergency conditions, critical care; and

(f) Behavioral/emotional problems.

(7) For each system listed in paragraph (5) above, questions will cover the following physician behaviors:

(a) Data gathering;

(b) Diagnosis;

(c) Treatment;

(d) Prevention; and

(e) Applying scientific concepts in each content area.

(2)(8) Applicants may use a combination of FLEX and FMLE scores to establish successful completion of both parts of the licensure examination (e.g., FLEX, Part I with a score of 75 and FMLE, Part II, with a scaled score of 350.)

Rulemaking Authority 456.017(1)(b), 458.309, 458.3115(4) FS.Law Implemented 458.3115 FS. History–New 4-27-99, Amended 12-6-99,_______________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Rules Committee, Board of Medicine

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Medicine

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: August 7, 2015

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: August 28, 2015