An application for a physician's state certificate in Georgia is a written procedure whose every stage — from the list of documents to the appeal of a refusal — is defined by Articles 21, 22, 23, 28 and 10 of the Law on Medical Practice. This page describes the full trajectory of the application and explains the deadlines that keep the applicant protected.
The list of documents
Article 21 of the Law determines the basis for issuing a specialist physician's state certificate: the seeker's written application in the established form; a copy of the higher medical education diploma; a state certificate confirming completion of a postgraduate education (professional training) course in the relevant specialty — residency or an alternative postgraduate program; a recommendation from the head of the course or from the head of the institution where the seeker worked; a state certificate confirming the passing of the certification examination; a document confirming an employment relationship, if one exists; and a description of the works carried out over the last 2 years in the relevant specialty. For persons educated abroad the law establishes two separate tracks: for the first list of countries an application, a copy of the diploma and the certificate of the right to independent practice received there suffice; for the second list a postgraduate-course certificate and a certification-examination certificate are additionally required.
Examination deadlines and the silence rule
Article 22 sets the rhythm of the procedure: according to the results of the review of the submitted documents, the Council adopts a decision on issuance or refusal — no later than 2 months from the submission of the application. The results are communicated to the seeker within 10 days of the decision. The silence rule is particularly significant: where no notice of consent or refusal has been sent to the seeker within 70 days, that person has the right, upon expiry of that period, to begin the activity indicated in the application — administrative silence cannot stop an experienced physician from starting practice.
Refusal and its appeal
Article 23 cuts off the grounds of refusal: the Council may refuse where the documents do not correspond to the requirements of the law; where the seeker requests a certificate for an activity whose right has been revoked; or where the validity of a certificate is suspended and the ground of suspension has not been eliminated. In the event of refusal the Council is obliged to communicate the basis in writing. Refusal on the motive of limiting the number of subjects of independent medical practice is prohibited — no quota exists in the law. A refusal may be appealed to court in the manner established by the legislation.