CS/HB 657 Summary: Licensure of Internationally Trained Physicians

• Creates a new licensure pathway effective January 1, 2019 for foreign-trained physicians who graduated from medical schools listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, approved by foreign accrediting agencies, and have practiced medicine in a foreign jurisdiction for at least 10 years.

• Requires foreign-trained physicians under the new pathway to complete at least 2 years of approved residency or fellowship in one specialty area counted toward American Board of Medical Specialties certification and demonstrate English competency through TOEFL or similar board-approved test.

• Authorizes the Board of Medicine to impose conditions, limitations, or restrictions on licenses for physicians under the new pathway, including probationary periods, scope of practice limitations, or supervision requirements for a board-specified duration.

• Allows applicants meeting the new pathway requirements to satisfy examination requirements through a board-approved examination determined to be substantially equivalent to or more stringent than the USMLE.

• New pathway provision expires December 31, 2023, and licensure continues beyond expiration but remains subject to all standard licensure and renewal requirements.