What are the professional qualifications required for a surgeon to be considered qualified by USCIS?

In order to conduct the Immigration Medical Examination suitably USCIS looks at the following professional requirements in a surgeon and only if they are satisfied in entirety will he or she be considered to be appointed on the panel of USCIS Civil Surgeons:

• The Surgeon should be a currently licensed M.D or D.O in the state in which he or she practices.
• The Surgeon should have at least 4 years of professional experience, which do not include residency or other training.

How are Health Department Physicians designated?

Doctors who are Health Department Physicians can also work as USCIS Civil Surgeons for limited purposes in the Immigration Medical Examination:

• Physicians who serve at health departments and who meet the USCIS Civil Surgeon professional qualifications are granted blanket designation as civil surgeons only for the limited purpose of completing the vaccination portion of Form I-693 for refugees adjusting status.
• Participation in the blanket designation is optional; health department physicians are not required to act as civil surgeons. They can do so at their own free will.
• No application is required – as long as the physician is on the roster at a local or State health department and meets the professional qualifications of a civil surgeon, he or she may be considered a blanket-designated USCIS Civil Surgeon.
• If a refugee needs to undergo the entire immigration medical exam, he or she must seek a Civil Surgeon designated under the standard application process.