Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a law April 6, allowing international medical graduates to bypass U.S. residency training and enter into practice as a licensed physician. Now, nearly one year out from when the law will go into full effect, some are expressing hesitancy and others are looking forward to the change.
Under the new law, international medical graduates will only be able to bypass residency training if they demonstrate competency to the state's medical board, have completed either three years of training or a post-graduate program in the country they are licensed in, and if they have practiced in a medical provider capacity at least three of the last five years.
The individual seeking the licensing must present proof of the above to the medical board for consideration. If they are granted temporary licensure, they must also provide proof of an offer from a hospital or health system willing to hire them. An applicant can also apply for a full, unrestricted license if they are still in good standing after two years of practicing under the temporary license.
Alabama recently followed in Tennessee's footsteps and passed its own legislation June 12 allowing the same in its state.
Proponents of the laws say they will help curb the ongoing national physician shortage, but opponents have concerns about prospective international physicians bypassing U.S.-specific training.
Tennessee's law is set to go into effect July 1, 2024.