(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article 240, the board may issue a pro bono license to a physician to practice medicine in this state if the physician:
(a) (I) Holds an active and unrestricted license to practice medicine in Colorado and is in active practice in this state;
(II) Has been on inactive status pursuant to section 12-240-141 for not more than two years; or
(III) Holds an active and unrestricted license to practice medicine in another state or territory of the United States;
(b) Attests to the board that he or she:
(I) Does not charge for his or her services; except that the facility at which the services are provided may charge on a not-for-profit basis for the provision of services; or
(II) Works for and may be compensated by an organization that does not charge Colorado patients for its services;
(c) Has never had a license to practice medicine in this state or in another state or territory revoked or suspended, as verified by the applicant in the manner prescribed by the board;
(d) Is not the subject of an unresolved complaint;
(e) Maintains commercial professional liability insurance coverage in accordance with section 13-64-301; and
(f) Pays the fee established by the board.
(2) The board shall establish and charge an application fee for an initial and renewal pro bono license, not to exceed one-half the amount of the fee for a renewal of a physician's license and not to exceed the cost of administering the license.
(3) A pro bono license is subject to the renewal requirements set forth in section 12-240-130.
(4) A physician granted a pro bono license under this section shall not simultaneously hold a full license to practice medicine issued under this article 240.
(5) A physician granted a pro bono license under this section is subject to discipline by the board for committing unprofessional conduct, as defined in section 12-240-121, or any other act prohibited by this article 240.
(6) The board may refrain from issuing a pro bono license in accordance with section 12-240-120.
(7) The board may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.
Source: L. 2019: Entire title R&RE with relocations, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1188, � 1, effective October 1; IP(1) amended, (SB 19-193), ch. 406, p. 3588, � 12, effective October 1.
Editor's note: (1) This section is similar to former � 12-36-114.3 as it existed prior to 2019.
(2) Before its relocation in 2019, this section was amended in SB 19-193. Those amendments were superseded by the repeal and reenactment of this title 12, effective October 1, 2019. For those amendments to the former section in effect from July 1, 2019, to October 1, 2019, see SB 19-193, chapter 406, Session Laws of Colorado 2019.
12-240-119. Reentry license - period of inactivity - international medical graduate - competency assessment - board rules - conversion to full license. (1) (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article 240, the board may issue a reentry license to:
(I) A physician, a physician assistant, or an anesthesiologist assistant who has not actively practiced medicine, practiced as a physician assistant, or practiced as an anesthesiologist assistant, as applicable, for the two-year period immediately preceding the filing of an application for a reentry license, or who has not otherwise maintained continued competency during that period, as determined by the board; or
(II) An international medical graduate who:
(A) Holds a current or expired international license or meets other qualifications specified by the board by rule; and
(B) Satisfies any other requirements established by the board by rule, which may include a recommendation of the international medical graduate from the administrator of the IMG assistance program created in section 8-87-102 or from the program director of the clinical readiness program created in section 8-87-103 or a requirement for specific training.
(b) The board may charge a fee for a reentry license.
(2) (a) In order to qualify for a reentry license, the physician, physician assistant, anesthesiologist assistant, or international medical graduate shall submit to evaluations, assessments, and an educational program as required by the board. The board may work with a private entity that specializes in physician, physician assistant, or anesthesiologist assistant assessment to:
(I) Determine the applicant's competency and areas in which improvement is needed, if any;
(II) Develop an educational program specific to the applicant; and
(III) Upon completion of the educational program, conduct an evaluation to determine the applicant's competency.
(a.5) For international medical graduates, the board may approve an assessment model to assess the competency of international medical graduates applying for a reentry license under this section and shall approve criteria, including minimum requirements, standards, and competencies, for the assessment of these applicants.
(b) (I) If, based on the assessment, the board determines that the applicant requires a period of supervised practice, the board may issue a reentry license, allowing the applicant to practice medicine, practice as a physician assistant, or practice as an anesthesiologist assistant, as applicable, under supervision as specified by the board.
(II) After satisfactory completion of the period of supervised practice, as determined by the board, the reentry licensee may apply to the board for conversion of the reentry license to a full license to practice medicine, practice as a physician assistant, or practice as an anesthesiologist assistant, as applicable, under this article 240.
(c) If, based on the assessment and, if prescribed, after completion of an educational program, the board determines that the applicant is competent and qualified to practice medicine without supervision, practice as a physician assistant, or practice as an anesthesiologist assistant with supervision, as specified in this article 240, the board may convert the reentry license to a full license to practice medicine, practice as a physician assistant, or practice as an anesthesiologist assistant, as applicable, under this article 240.
(3) A reentry license shall be valid for no more than three years and shall not be renewable.
(4) The board shall adopt rules as necessary:
(a) To specify requirements applicable to international medical graduates pursuant to subsection (1)(a)(II) of this section; and
(b) Regarding the criteria for an assessment model to assess the competency of international medical graduates pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.
Source: L. 2019: Entire title R&RE with relocations, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1189, � 1, effective October 1. L. 2022: (1) and IP(2)(a) amended and (2)(a.5) and (4) added, (HB 22-1050), ch. 379, p. 2697, � 5, effective June 7. L. 2023: (2)(c) amended, (SB 23-083), ch. 114, p. 413, � 3, effective August 7.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former � 12-36-114.5 as it existed prior to 2019.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 22-1050, see section 1 of chapter 379, Session Laws of Colorado 2022.