HB 1201

FOREIGN TRAINING LICENSE OF LIMITED DURATION Present law authorizes the board of medical examiners ("board"") to issue a foreign training license of limited duration to an international medical school graduate who has (i) successfully completed the examination as described in law upon finding sufficient evid e nce that the international medical school graduate demonstrates competency as determined by the board, (ii) completed a postgraduate training program of a minimum of three years in the graduate's licensing country, and (iii) has otherwise practiced as a m e dical professional performing the duties of a physician for the last three years outside the United States. This bill rewrites the above provision to, instead, require the board to issue such a license only to an internationally licensed physician who ha s successfully completed the examination as described in law upon finding sufficient evidence that the internationally licensed physician meets all of the following criteria:  Possesses a (i) certificate from a medical school whose curriculum is either approved by the American Medical Association or its extant accreditation program for medical education, or its successor; or judged to be acceptable by the board; and (ii) copy of a permanent ECFMG certificate.  Has completed a postgraduate training program of a minimum of three years in a country approved by the internationally licensed physician's licensing country or has practiced as a medical professional performing the duties of a physician for seven years.  Has practiced as a medical professional performing the duties of a physician for at least three years in the licensing country after the postgraduate training or equivalent as described in above.  Has been in good standing with the medical licensing or regulatory institution of the internationally licensed physician licensing country within the last five years and does not have any pending discipline before the licensing body.  Is legally entitled to live or work in the United States if the person is not a citizen of the United States.  Has sufficient evidence of good moral character.  Has paid (i) a nonrefundable application fee as set by the board and (ii) an examination fee as described in this bill. This bill requires an internationally licensed physician who is granted a foreign training license to only provide medical services at the healthcare provider identified in the physician's application during the period of the foreign training license unless the licensee notifies the board of a change of eligible healthcare provider employer. ON MARCH 31, 2025, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 6109, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites this bill and present law concerning foreign training licenses. This amendment generally requires the board of medical examiners to issue a provisio nal foreign training license of limited duration to an internationally licensed physician who has successfully completed the required examinations upon finding sufficient evidence that the internationally licensed physician: ( 1 ) Possesses a certificate or diploma from a medical school that m eets the board's standards for an approved international medical school or i s judged to be acceptable by the board; (2) Possesses a copy of a permanent ECFMG certificate; (3) Possesses e vidence that the internati onally licensed physician completed Step 1 and Step 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE); ( 4 ) Completed a postgraduate training program of a minimum of three years in a country approved by the internationally licensed physician's licensing country; ( 5 ) Has practiced as a medical professional performing the duties of a physician for at least one additional year in the licensing country after the postgraduate training; ( 6 ) Has been in good standing with the medical licensing boa rd or medical institution of the internationally licensed physician licensing country within the last five years and does not have any pending discipline before the licensing body; ( 7 ) Has proof of United States citizenship or being lawfully present in the United States ; ( 8 ) Has sufficient evidence of good moral character; ( 9 ) Has paid a nonrefundable application fee of $200 ; and (10) S ubmit sufficient evidence that the applicant is an internationally licensed physician and has an offer for employm ent as a physician at an authorized employer that operates in Tennessee. The general requirement will not apply if the board determines that an applicant is otherwise disqualified. This amendment authorizes the board of medical examiners to identify t he type of employer and clinical facilities authorized to employ and allow for a supervising physician to supervise and assess the skills and competency of an internationally trained physician during the internationally trained physician's foreign trainin g license period and establish criteria and guidelines for such type of employers and authorized clinical facilities. The type of employer must include: ( 1 ) A federally qualified health center with an onsite supervising physician; ( 2 ) A rural health c linic with an onsite supervising physician; ( 3 ) A community health center with an onsite supervising physician; ( 4 ) An employer with a postgraduate training program accredited by the accreditation council for graduate medical education; and ( 5 ) A su pervising physician employer approved by the board upon consideration of the practice and training opportunities, including clinic and hospital experience. This amendment requires the board to define any additional types of employer based on factors, including: ( 1 ) Experience in medical education and assessment; ( 2 ) The ability to obtain a supervising physician to oversee and assess skills; and ( 3 ) Training resources, including clinic and hospital experience. An internationally licensed phys ician who is granted a foreign training license may only provide medical services at an eligible employer during the period of the foreign training license unless the licensee notifies the board of a change of eligible employer. Barring any disqualificat ions determined by the board, this amendment requires the board to grant a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine to a foreign training licensee who is in good standing, demonstrates competency, has passed Steps 1, 2, and 3 of the USMLE, and ha s actively practiced medicine in this state for two years after the date of foreign training licensure. Th is amendment takes effect upon becoming a law for the purpose of promulgating rules, and January 31, 2026, for all other purposes."