Three Things You Need to Know:
1. We are doing our best to keep our website updated with the most recent information, if you find a link on our website that is broken or does not take you to the indicated information, please let us know.
2. If you are an incoming Resident or Fellow, please apply for the Physician and Surgeon Residency License unless otherwise instructed by your Program Director. The Physician and Surgeon Clinical Experience Limited license is only intended for International Medical Graduates not entering a Postgraduate Training Program.
3. During their business meeting on March 14, 2025, the WMC approved revisions to the Guidance Document on Sexual Misconduct and Abuse. The updated document is now available on the Policies & Rules page of our website.
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QUICK FACT
There are 21 Washington State Medical Commissioners - all appointed by the Governor.Learn More
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Understanding the Process: Family Viewing & Death Certificates
In Washington, there is no law requiring medical examiners or coroners to allow family members to view a deceased relative in the morgue. To make sure a person's identity is confirmed accurately, medical examiners use methods like fingerprints, dental records, DNA testing, X-rays, or visible features like tattoos and scars, rather than relying on a family member’s visual identification. To provide a safe and secure environment, medical examiner offices recommend that families coordinate with a funeral home for a private and comfortable viewing experience. Medical examiner offices are unable to accommodate family viewings in their facilities. If you notice an error on a death certificate, reach out to either the physician who completed it or the funeral director. The local health department may also provide guidance on whether the correction should be made by the physician or funeral director. The WMC provides guidelines on completing death certificates, which can be found here.
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Clinical Experience Assessment
The WMC has implemented the Clinical Experience Assessment (CEA) Policy, effective January 10, 2025, as outlined in policy number POL2025-01. This policy introduces the CEA form, designed to evaluate the readiness of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) for residency programs in Washington State, in accordance with RCW 18.71.472.
The document has been updated to remove the DRAFT watermark from the Clinical Experience Assessment form and to make the form fillable.
Purpose of the CEA Form: The CEA serves as a tool for physician assessors to prepare IMGs for residency by determining their overall readiness. It is important to note that the CEA is not a component of the residency application process nor a qualification for residency.
Assessment of Residency Preparedness: The form utilizes an "entrustment" scale to evaluate the IMG's competence in various clinical tasks, aiding both the assessor and the IMG in identifying areas of strength and those requiring improvement.
Frequency of Assessment: Assessors are encouraged to use the CEA quarterly throughout the training program until the IMG achieves a passing score in all competencies, indicating readiness for residency.
Monitoring and Retention: The WMC plans to develop a monitoring system to track the effectiveness of the CEA, identifying challenges and areas for improvement in IMG pre-residency training. Completed CEA forms should be retained for four years and made available upon request.
If you have any questions about this or any other WMC policy, you can email the WMC.
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From The FAQ Page
Q: Do I have to be the patient to file a complaint?
A: Anyone who has knowledge of a physician or physician assistant’s unprofessional conduct may file a report. More information on filing a complaint can be found on our FAQ page.
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