HB 2571

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 successfully completed the required examinations upon finding sufficient evidence that the international medical school graduate demonstrates competency as determined by the board, plus completed a postgraduate training program of a minimum of three years in the graduate's licensing country; and has otherwise practiced as a medical profe ssional performing the duties of a physician for the last three years outside the United States. A n applicant must submit sufficient evidence that the applicant is an international medical school graduate and has an offer for employment as a physician at a healthcare provider that operates in this state and has a postgraduate training program accredited by the accred itation council for graduate medical education in place. Effective January 31, 2027, this bill requires the board to issue a provisional foreign training license of two years, which may be extended for an additional year, if there is nothing barring any disqualifications determined by the board to an internati onally trained physician who has successfully completed the required examinations upon filing sufficient evidence that the internationally tra ined physician:  Possess es a certificate or diploma from a medical school that meets the board's standards for an approved international medical school or is judged to be acceptable by board, and a copy of a permanent Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates certificate.  Completed a postgraduate training program of a minimum of three years in a country approved by the internationally trained physician's training country or has completed a one-year postgraduate training program in the United States.  Has been in good standing with the medical licensing or regulatory institution of the internationally trained physician's country of training within the last five years and does not have any pending disciplinary actions.  Has proof of United States citizenship or being lawfully present in the United States, or has applied to live or work in the United States.  Has sufficient evidence of good moral character.  Has paid a non-refundable application fee of $300. This bill requires a n applicant to submit sufficient evidence that the applicant is an internationally trained physician and has an offer for employment as a physician at an employer identified below that operates in this state. Employers Present law requires an international medical school graduate who is granted a foreign training license to only provide medical services at a healthcare provider that has in place a postgraduate training program accredited by the accreditation council fo r graduate medical education. However, t his provision does not apply to an international medical school graduate who is granted a temporary license of limited duration by the board for those who successfully complete the required examinations and upon findi ng sufficient evidence that the international medical school graduate demonstrates competency as determined by the board and has completed a one-year postgraduate training program in the United States. This bill, instead, requires an internationally trained physician who is granted a provisional foreign training license to only provide medical services at an employer identified below during the period of the provisional foreign training license unless the licensee notifies the board of a change of eligible employer. This provision does not apply to an international medical school graduate who is granted temporary license of limited duration by the board for those who successfully complete the required examinations and upon finding sufficient evidence that the international medical school graduate demonstrates competency as determined by the board and has completed a one-y ear postgradu ate training program in the United States . This bill authorizes the board to identify the type of employer and clinical facilities authorized to employ and provide a supervising physician to supervise and assess the skills and competency of an internationally trained physician during the internationally trained physi cian's provisional foreign training license period and establish criteria and guidelines for such type of employers and authorized clinical facilities. The type of employer must include all of the following :  A federally qualified health center with an onsite supervising physician.  A rural health clinic with an onsite supervising physician.  A community health center with an onsite supervising physician.  An employer with a postgraduate training program accredited by the accreditation council for graduate medical education.  A supervising physician employer approved by the board upon consideration of the practice and training opportunities, including clinic and hospital experience. This bill requires the board to define additional types of employers based on certain factors, including (i) e xperience in medical education and assessment ; t he ability to provide a supervising physician to oversee and assess skills ; and t raining resources, including clinic and hospital experience. UNRESTRICTED LICENSURE Present law authorize s the board to grant a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine to a foreign training license who is in good standing and has actively practiced medicine in this state for two years after the date of foreign training licensure. B arring any disqualifications determined by the board, this bill, instead, requires the board to grant a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine to an internationally trained physician who meets the qualifications described above, is in good standing, demonstrates competency, has passed Steps 1, 2, and 3 of the Unite d States Medical Licensing Examination, and has actively practiced medicine in this state for two years in a satisfactory manner after being granted a provisional foreign training li cense. This bill encourages the board is to collect and share data on the provisional foreign training license pathway to evaluate the pathway's effectiveness. RULEMAKING This bill authorizes the board to promulgate rules to effectuate this bill."