Okla. Stat. tit. 63, § 63-1-1708.1I: Expert witnesses – Qualifications

A. The court shall apply the criteria specified in subsection B

of this section in determining whether an expert is qualified to

offer expert testimony on the issue of whether the defendant health

care provider departed from accepted standards of health care but

may depart from those criteria if, under the circumstances, the

court determines that there is good reason to admit the expert's

testimony. The court shall state on the record the reason for

admitting the testimony if the court departs from the criteria.

B. In determining whether a witness is qualified on the basis

of training or experience, the court shall consider whether, at the

time the claim arose or at the time the testimony is given, the

witness:

1. Is licensed to practice medicine or has other substantial

training or experience, in any area of health care relevant to the

claim; and

2. Is actively practicing or retired from practicing health

care in any area of health care services relevant to the claim.

C. This section shall not prevent a health care provider who is

a defendant, or an employee of the defendant health care provider,

from qualifying as an expert.