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A medical license is an occupational license that permits a person to legally practice medicine. In most countries, a person must have a medical license bestowed either by a specified government-approved professional association or a government agency before they can practice medicine. Licenses are not granted automatically to all people with medical degrees. A medical school graduate must receive a license to practice medicine to legally be called a physician. The process typically requires testing by a medical board. The medical license is the documentation of authority to practice medicine within a certain locality. An active license is also required to practice medicine as an assistant physician, a physician assistant or a clinical officer in jurisdictions with authorizing legislation.
A professional may have their license removed due to if they are not deemed fit to practise, such as due to a lack of competence, health reasons, or ethical violations.[1]: 6 The license will limit a professional's scope of practice.[2]
- ^ Horsley, Tanya; Lockyer, Jocelyn; Cogo, Elise; Zeiter, Jeanie; Bursey, Ford; Campbell, Craig (April 1, 2016). "National programmes for validating physician competence and fitness for practice: a scoping review". BMJ Open. 6 (4): e010368. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010368. ISSN 2044-6055. PMC 4838739. PMID 27084276.
- ^ White, Debbie; Oelke, Nelly; Besner, Jeanne; Doran, Diane; Hall, Linda; Giovannetti, Phyllis (March 15, 2008). "Nursing Scope of Practice: Descriptions and Challenges". Nursing Leadership. 21 (1): 44–57. doi:10.12927/cjnl.2008.19690. PMID 18448890.