2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY - Examining Boards and Professional Colleges (§§ 1 — 6033) › Chapter 6 - Medical Discipline and Licensure Board Act (§§ 131 — 135j) › Subchapter III - Licensure (§§ 133 — 133j) › § 133g - Kinds of license

(a) Regular license.— Issued by the Board to hopefuls who have met all the requirements established by this chapter, after they have approved the corresponding examinations.
(b) Special licenses.—
(1) Physicians licensed by examinations from any of the states of the United States of America with which the Puerto Rico Medical Discipline and Licensure Board has established a reciprocity agreement.
(2) Physicians and surgeons who hold a diploma issued by the National Board of Medical Examiners of the United States of America or who have approved the licensure examination of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FLEX [sic]).
(c) Provisional licenses.—
(1) The Board may grant provisional licenses by request of the Secretary of Health to physicians or osteopaths from other states of United States of America who come to Puerto Rico to practice their profession at nonprofit medical hospital facilities, until said professionals meet all the regular-license requirements set forth in this chapter.
(2) The Board may grant a provisional license to physicians or osteopaths who are nationally and internationally renowned for their good scientific reputation and who submit attesting proof to such effect, whose programs are of a quality or competence equal to or greater than but never lesser than the criteria of schools of medicine in Puerto Rico, [accredited] by the Council on Higher Education of Puerto Rico, who come to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and who wish to practice medicine exclusively by request of the Secretary, after having assessed the merits and scientific authority of the interested party, may be issued a license to practice medicine or osteopathy in Puerto Rico for a term of one (1) year, which term shall be deferrable for one (1) additional year. If these physicians or osteopaths wish to continue practicing indefinitely in Puerto Rico, they shall obtain a regular license pursuant to that which is established in this chapter. Foreign physicians shall submit evidence attesting that they have obtained the corresponding permits or visas from the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the Department of Justice of the United States of America.
(3) The Board may grant a provisional license to any physician who legally practices medicine in other state[s] or jurisdiction[s], contingent upon the request by the physician to the Board and on condition that the physician comes to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to assist in emergency services during a disaster, as authorized by the Department of Justice. The Department of Health shall approve regulations to such effect.
(4) The Board may grant a provisional license to any physician who legally practices medicine at a state or jurisdiction, with the purpose of having said physician render gratis and volunteer medical services or assistance in Puerto Rico during a period of time that is not to exceed ninety (90) days a year as of its date of issue. Provided, That this license shall be granted without paying any fees.
(5) The Board may issue provisional licenses for a period of time not to exceed one hundred and eighty (180) days at the request of the Secretary of Health to physicians or osteopaths who practice medicine legally in any state of the United States of America and its territories and possessions, insofar as they comply with the eligibility criteria set forth by the Board, so that said physicians may accompany their patients to undergo medical care and treatment procedure in Puerto Rico in facilities, premises, or activities that have been duly certified and accredited under the “Medical Tourism Act of Puerto Rico”. §§ 6981 et seq. of Title 23. The Department of Health shall approve a regulation to such effect.
History —Aug. 1, 2008, No. 139, § 22; Dec. 15, 2010, No. 196, § 16.