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LD105
Maine Sponsorship Program for Foreign-Trained Doctors
Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 4:26 AM
In one sentence
This bill creates a program and new license rules to help doctors trained outside the U.S. work in Maine areas that need more medical care, but it did not become law.
What it does
- Creates an International Medical Graduates Sponsorship Program within state authority.
- Establishes up to 10 paid training positions each year for foreign-trained physicians at sponsoring institutions.
- Sets a new license path allowing these doctors to work in shortage areas after meeting exam and experience rules.
- Requires the Board of Licensure to report every two years on how many doctors join the program.
- Creates a special fund that can hold money from gifts, grants, or state budgets to pay for the program.
Who it affects
- Doctors who earned their medical degree outside the United States and have lived in Maine for at least one year.
- Four specific hospitals in Maine accredited by a national council that act as sponsoring institutions.
- The state Board of Licensure, which reviews applications and issues temporary or full licenses.
Limits and unknowns
- The bill died when the Legislature ended its session, so it did not become law.
- The text does not say how much money is currently available to fund the positions or the new license pathway.
- The Board of Licensure can add extra rules for applicants that are not listed in this document.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Internationally trained physician
- A doctor who got their medical degree from a school outside the U.S. recognized by the World Health Organization, is licensed to practice in another country, and has practiced medicine for at least one year.
- Physician shortage area
- A place in Maine where there are not enough doctors to meet the needs of the people living there, as decided by the Board of Licensure.
- Sponsoring institution
- One of four specific hospitals in Maine accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education on January 1, 2024.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Commission Regarding Foreign-trained Physicians Living in Maine to Establish a Sponsorship Program for Internationally Trained Physicians