Frist Did Not Fulfill MD Duties as Reported

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist did not meet all the requirements needed to keep his medical license active -- even though he gave paperwork to state officials indicating that he had, a spokesman acknowledged.

Tennessee requires its licensed physicians to complete 40 hours of continuing medical education every two years. Frist, a surgeon who is considering a 2008 presidential run, submitted a license renewal with the state Health Department stating he had fulfilled that requirement even though he had not.

“As a result of a change in Tennessee’s regulations several years after Dr. Frist came to the Senate, he may be required to complete additional continuing medical education hours,” spokesman Matt Lehigh said in a statement.