Senior Year Checklist

MAJOR TASKS:

  • Complete your QI Project Requirement

  • Take USMLE Step 3

  • Register for the Pediatric Boards (ABP General Certifying Exam)

  • Apply for your full Medical License in the state in which you intend to practice

  • Obtain DEA Certificates (state-specific and federal)

  • Complete institution-specific credentialing for your new job or fellowship

BUDGETING: Total $4,661 ($2,728 after reimbursements)

  • Step 3: $830, reimbursed 100% by BCRP

  • Pediatric Boards: $2265, reimbursed 50% by BCRP

  • MA License: $716, not reimbursed

  • License Application: $600, not reimbursed

  • NPDB Self-Query: $16, not reimbursed

  • USMLE scores sent to MA Board: $65, not reimbursed

  • AMA Physician Profile: $35, not reimbursed

  • MA State DEA Certificate: $150 for three years, not reimbursed

  • Federal DEA Certificate: $730 for three years, not reimbursed

REIMBURSEMENT – receipts must be submitted within 60 days of payment:

  • Categorical residents: Submit receipts to Anne Vaccaro on Hunnewell 2nd floor admin suite. You should receive a check approximately 2-3 weeks later. Direct deposit is not available.

  • LEAD residents: Submit all receipts to Kate Antanovich on Dowling 3 South, check or direct deposit available.

Timeline

April of Junior Year

Review the guidelines for what counts towards your QI Project requirement for graduation. Email the QI Chief (Kelsey for Categorical, Elyse for UHAT), Chris Cheston, or Tanvi Sharma to discuss options.

May of Junior Year (at the latest): Register for USMLE Step 3

Apply here via USMLE APPLICATION LINK. Remember to print your receipt as it will be difficult to reprint in the future.

Schedule a test date at PROMETRIC. To schedule a test site and date, you will need a Scheduling Permit, which typically arrives 3-5 business days after application submission above.

  • Step 3 takes place over two days, consecutive or not. Schedule accordingly.

  • You’ll typically receive your score within 2-4 weeks, though it can take up to 8 weeks. Make sure you’ve completed Step 3 by September of senior year.

December of Senior Year: Begin completing and gathering paperwork for your full medical license application in the state in which you intend to practice next year.

This is a long and painful process – start early to avoid delays, since applying in January often means a 2-3 month wait for your license, which is a prerequisite to sitting for the Boards, your Federal and State DEA Certificate applications, and many fellowship and job applications. Late license application creates a domino effect on everything else and becomes a real headache!

For the full details about how to complete the Massachusetts Medical License application, see thebcrp.com’s section entitled “Mass Medical License.”

If you are applying outside of Massachusetts or are unsure of where you should apply, please be in touch with a BCRP program director ASAP.

January of Senior Year: Boards registration, licensing requirements, and CV update

Register early for the ABP General Certifying Exam (Pediatric Boards) at the ABP WEBSITE. The exam is one day and typically occurs in October of each year. The registration price increases if you wait (price typically goes up in late March).

  • A few days after registration, you should receive an email from the ABP with your eligibility ID number. You’ll need this to schedule a testing date at the PROMETRIC WEBSITE. Testing seat appointments open 6-9 months before the exam date depending on the site and fill up fast – register early!

  • You will be unlikely to have your full medical license when you apply for the Boards. You will therefore need to send a copy of your full license (by mail, fax, or email) to the ABP when you receive it.

  • At the ABP portfolio site, you can view what documents are missing on the “Certification and Registration Information” page. You’ll also receive a “Required Documents Reminder” email about twice monthly.

Find out licensing requirements for your next job. Some common required forms include: BLS, PALS or NRP certificates; HIPAA Compliance certificates (available at www.healthstream.com); Occupational Health vaccination and titer records; copies of your medical license application.

Update your CV. It must be in month/year format and cannot have >=1 month of “unaccounted” time. Chiefs and PDs/APDs are happy to help and review.

Mid-January of Senior Year: Submit your state license application!

February of Senior Year: Complete hospital or institution-specific credentialing, state controlled substances license registration, and federal DEA license application

Complete hospital or institution-specific credentialing paperwork

  • At BCH, you will receive instructions to identify 3 faculty members to complete professional reference documents, and this will begin your credentialing process.

  • Other institutions should reach out to you for details on their credentialing process for jobs or fellowship.

Apply for your state controlled substances license if required in the state in which you are going to practice (MCSR in Massachusetts).

**NOTE: If you are going to be a fellow at BCH, you do not necessarily need a Controlled Substances registration. The Children's Hospital pharmacy will issue you a temporary controlled substances certificate, as we have had during residency. You should check with your individual fellowship program to confirm.

  • Go to the MCSR APPLICATION WEBSITE

  • Click Applications for Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration

  • Select “Physician, Dentist, Podiatrist (New, Additional Location, or Recall) pdf, print, and complete.

  • Question #3: If you’ve never had your own DEA certificate, leave this blank – the limited DEA certificate you get as a resident doesn’t count.

  • Question #6:

    • BCH Business Address: Boston Children’s Hospital, Hunnewell Building, Pavilion 145, Housestaff Lounge, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston MA 02115.

    • BMC Business Address: Boston Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Menino Building, Dowling 3 South Resident Mailboxes, 1 Boston Medical Center Place, Boston, MA 02118.

  • Question #10: Select all the schedules (II-VI) for narcotic and non-narcotics.

  • Question #13: You signed up for Virtual Gateway when getting your Electronic Death Certificate access. Your username should have come in an email entitled “New EOHHS Virtual Gateway User ID.”

  • Fill out a check for $150 payable to "Commonwealth of Massachusetts."

  • Include a copy of your MA Full license wallet card.

  • Copy all the materials and then mail to the address at the top of the form

Apply for your Federal DEA License after receiving your full medical license and controlled substance license if required by your state by applying online at FEDERAL DEA LICENSE APPLICATION.

  • Click New Applications Online -> Select Form 224 and your “Business Activity” is “Practitioner”

  • Page 1: Enter your demographic and business (see above) and personal address information.

  • Page 2: Enter your SSN. You are not fee-exempt.

  • Page 3: Select all schedules (II-VI). You do not require order forms.

  • Page 4: Enter your full license number and your State DEA certificate number. For the MA DEA certificate, the expiration date is three years after the issue date.

  • Complete the rest of the application.

April of Senior Year (at the latest):

  • Complete your QI REDCap form to document your PSQI QI Activity. Email the QI Chief with questions.

  • Start thinking about studying for boards. Your Pedialink (AAP Prep) subscription will remain active after you graduate but it's a good idea to get started now if you haven't already (FYI - PREP 2015 will expire 12/31/17, PREP 2016 will expire 12/31/1, etc.)

June of Senior Year: Graduate!! :)