I-2-1-30.Professional Qualifications of Medical Sources

A. General

When an administrative law judge (ALJ) admits a medical report, analysis, assessment, or judgment from a medical source into the record as an exhibit, or when an ALJ obtains a medical source's testimony at a hearing, the ALJ will also admit into the record a written statement of the medical source's qualifications (see Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law (HALLEX) manual I-2-1-15). Generally, a medical source's qualifications are adequately documented if stationery letterhead or other information (e.g., a medical record) identifies the medical source's:

• Medical degree, specialty, and Board certification; or

• State healthcare license or certification and type of practice.

If a medical source intends to testify at a hearing, the ALJ will “qualify” the individual by eliciting information regarding their impartiality, expertise, and professional qualifications (i.e., confirm the accuracy of the individual's professional qualifications statement on the record). See HALLEX I-2-6-70.

B. Professional Qualifications for MEs

Each HO will maintain completed professional qualifications statements for medical sources in the HO's service area who regularly submit reports or testify at hearings. If the medical source's professional qualifications are not adequately documented on their report, analysis, assessment, judgment, or other document admitted into the record (or the ALJ decides that a professional qualifications statement also should be admitted into the record), HO staff will add the professional qualifications statement to the record (in the F section of the claim(s) file) and make it a proposed exhibit. If a professional qualifications statement is not available, HO staff will obtain a copy of the medical source's curriculum vitae or resume, add it to the F section of the claim(s) file, and make the document a proposed exhibit.

C. Professional Qualifications for Non-ME Medical Sources

If a medical source's professional qualifications are not sufficiently documented on letterhead or another document (such as the medical record), HO staff may try to verify the medical source's professional qualifications using the resources found in the Social Security Administration's Digital Library. Additionally, HO staff may verify licensure status for psychologists using the state websites listed in POMS DI 22505.004. If HO staff is unable to obtain the needed information, HO staff will contact the medical source directly by telephone, fax, or email to request a copy of the medical source's curriculum vitae or resume. On receipt, HO staff will add the information to the F section of the claim(s) file and make the document a proposed exhibit.