Official Summary Text
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.
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
SENATE BILL 1054
By Roberts
HOUSE BILL 1201
By Kumar
HB1201
001621
- 1 -
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63,
relative to health care.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-6-207(g), is amended by deleting
the subsection and substituting:
(g)
(1) The board shall issue a foreign training license of limited duration to
an internationally licensed physician who has successfully completed the
examination as described in subsection (b) upon finding sufficient evidence that
the internationally licensed physician:
(A) Possesses a:
(i) Certificate from a medical school whose curriculum is:
(a) Approved by the American Medical Association
or its extant accreditation program for medical education,
or its successor; or
(b) Judged to be acceptable by the board; and
(ii) Copy of a permanent ECFMG certificate;
(B) Completed a postgraduate training program of a minimum of
three (3) 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 (7) years;
- 2 - 001621
(C) Has practiced as a medical professional performing the duties
of a physician for at least three (3) years in the licensing country after the
postgraduate training or equivalent as described in subdivision (g)(1)(B);
(D) Has been in good standing with the medical licensing or
regulatory institution of the internationally licensed physician licensing
country within the last five (5) years and does not have any pending
discipline before the licensing body;
(E) Is legally entitled to live or work in the United States if the
person is not a citizen of the United States;
(F) Has sufficient evidence of good moral character; and
(G) Has paid:
(i) A nonrefundable application fee as set by the board;
and
(ii) An examination fee as described in this section.
(2) An applicant under subdivision (g)(1) shall submit sufficient evidence
that the applicant is an internationally licensed physician and has an offer for
employment as a physician at a healthcare provider that operates in this state.
(3) An internationally licensed physician who is granted a foreign training
license under subdivision (g)(1) shall only provide medical services at the
healthcare provider identified in subdivision (g)(2) during the period of the foreign
training license unless the licensee notifies the board of a change of eligible
healthcare provider employer.
(4) The board may grant a full and unrestricted license to practice
medicine to a foreign training licensee under subdivision (g)(1) who is in good
- 3 - 001621
standing and has actively practiced medicine in this state for two (2) years after
the date of foreign training licensure.
(5) As used in this subsection (g), "healthcare provider" means an
individual, entity, corporation, person, or organization, whether for profit or
nonprofit, that furnishes, bills, or is paid for a healthcare procedure or service
delivery in the normal course of business, and includes a healthcare
professional, healthcare facility, a health system, hospital, hospital-based facility,
freestanding emergency facility, urgent care clinic, or entity licensed or certified
to provide health services in this state as recognized by the board.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2025, the public welfare requiring it.