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At Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) training the next generation of healthcare professionals doesn't end in the classroom. We are committed to providing our students the necessary tools to gain professional licensure and go on to being ethical practioners in their selected field.
Professional Licensure
Doctor in Medicine - LCME
Licensure as a Doctor in Medicine is regulated by the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) while individual states are typically overseen by State Medical Boards. All 50 states and the US Territories require graduation from an LCME accredited program as well as passing the 3 step USMLE in order to obtain a license and practice as a Doctor of Medicine. Ponce Health Sciences University Doctor of Medicine program is an LCME-accredited program that aims to prepare graduates to sit for the USMLE. Some states have unique licensure requirements. For example, a jurisprudence exam is required in some states to test the graduate’s knowledge of state laws, rules, and practice acts that govern medical practice. Some require satisfactory background checks. These unique requirements are not associated with preparation in the PHSU MD program. The following link for the Federation of State Medical Boards provides contact information for individual state licensing authorities: https://www.fsmb.org/
Doctor in Medicine - ACCM
PHSU is preliminary accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM). Our accreditation through ACCM is recognized by ECFMG.
PHSU understands the importance of having its programs accredited so that our students may be eligible to sit for the United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE) and apply for certification from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). This certification is required for international and Caribbean medical school graduates to obtain residencies and licensing to practice medicine in the United States.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
After obtaining your BSN Degree, licensure is regulated by the specific state or provincial licensing board where you intend to practice.
- Bachelors in Nursing, Fully or Provisionally accredited by ACCN, CCNE
- 210 hours Simulation in Nursing
- 420 hours Clinical Practice Hours
- 630 hours total combined
- Valid ID - Passport or Real ID
- 2 x 2 Photo
- $60 board exam fee
- Official transcript send to the Department of Health
- Puerto Rico Background check - valid only for 30 days
- ASUME Negative Cetification or Child Support Pay Plan
- Original and copy of Birth Certificate
- High School Diploma - original and copy
- In Puerto Rico, the NCLEX exam, while not required for practicing nursing within the territory, is necessary for nurses who wish to practice in the U.S. and obtain a nursing license in a state other than Puerto Rico. Nurses can take the NCLEX at a Pearson VUE test center in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. The student must take the NCLEX to practice as a registered nurse in the United States. The application will be processed in the State where the student wishes to apply for work. Some states require an English language proficiency test such as: TOEFL, MET or PTE.
- No
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology
After obtaining your Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, licensure is regulated by the specific state or provincial licensing board where you intend to practice.
- Bachelors and PhD or PsyD in Psychology
- Fully or Provisionally accredited by APA, CPA, PCSAS
- 1500 Hours During Degree - ASPPB or NRHSPP
- 2000 Hours - Post Program
- Supervision Plan
- Supervision Agreement
- SSN Disclosure Notice
- 3 Mental Health Professional References
- Proof of Submissions of Fingerprints for Background Check
- Completion Attestation of 2 Hours of Suicide Assessment, Referral, Treatment, & Management Training
- Official Transcript
- Jurisprudence examination
- Yes
- PsyD or PhD in Clinical Psychology, Accreditted by APA
- MS in School Psychology
- 2,000 hours Predoctoral Internship in one year
- 500 supervised hours
- Official transcript & Degree Certification
- Evidence of supervised hours or internship completion
- Two passport style photos
- Criminal background check
- Birth Certificate
- Exam Application & payment
- PR Licensing Exam
- or Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology &
Ethics & Jurisprudence written exam
- Yes
- Bachelors and PhD or PsyD in Psychology
- Accredited by APA, NRHSP
- 3 years of full-time study
- 1 year of residence (internship)
- Seven Core Content Areas:
- Scientific and professional ethics
- Biological basis of behavior
- Cognitive-affective basis of behavior
- Social basis of behavior
- Individual differences
- Assessment
- Treatment modalities
- 1750 Hours During Degree - No more than 24 months
- 1750 Hours - Post Program - No more than 36 months
- Official Transcripts
- CCA Form - Health Care Workers Charged with or Convicted of Criminal Acts
- ED Form (Completed bvy Institution
- VE-PSY (Verification of Employment/Experience)
- Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology
- Jurisprudence examination
- Yes
- Bachelors and PhD or PsyD in Psychology
- Accredited by APA or demmed equivalent by DHHS
- 1500 Hours During Degree - APA Accredited or deemed equivalent
- 1500 Hours - Post Program - No more than 24 months and at least 1,000 face-to-face
- At least 1 hour of direct supervision each week
- Verification of Internship Form
- Plan of Supervision Form
- Official Transcripts
- Background Check
- Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology
- Jurisprudence examination (written and oral)
- Yes
- Bachelors and PhD or PsyD in Psychology
- Approved by Office or Profession, Accredited by APA, or deemed equivalent by DHHS
- At least two years of full-time study or part-time equivalent
- 1750 Hours During Degree - APA Accredited
- 1750 - Post Program
- Certification of Professional Education
- Official Transcript
- 2 hours of child abuse training
- Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology at least 75 score
- No
- Bachelors and PhD or PsyD in Psychology
- Accredited by APA
- 1900 Hours During Degree
- 1900 Hours - Post Degree
- Two signed passport style photos
- Criminal Background Checks
- Supervisor Affadavits
- Declaration of Citizenship Forms
- Mandatory Practitioner Profile
- Verification of Pre-doctoral Internship
- Official Transcripts
- Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology
- Ethics and Jurisprudence Exam
- Yes