Kathy Leeper, MD, IBCLC wrote:

	"Using medical doctors as an example, we can obtain a medical license after
	graduating from medical school.  It just registers us with a particulat
	state as having had the educational requirements met to obtain this
license."

I agree that board certification and licensure for physicians are two
entirely different things.  In general, a "license" is granted by the state
and is necessary to practice medicine in general in that state, while board
certification is obtained after one completes further training (ie a
residency) and passes an exam to prove skill in one's particular area of
practice (eg pediatrics or internal medicine).

However- in New York State, at least, a medical license does not come
automatically after graduation from medical school.  Rather, first one has
to successfully complete a series of national examinations entitled the
"USMLE" or United States Medical Licensing Exams.  (See
http://www.usmle.org/About/About.htm).

In New York State the USMLE series need be passed only one time for the
initial medical license.  Thereafter, the medical license may be renewed
without further testing.  In contrast, as noted by several others, many
(Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, for example) now require retesting (Internal
medicine every 10 years) in order to maintain one's "board certification"
status.

Jayne Charlamb, MD

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