- Many states are hoping to shore up physician shortages in rural communities by easing restrictions for doctors from other countries to get medically licensed in the U.S. In the past, every state required doctors who completed a foreign residency or similar program abroad to repeat the process in the U.S. before receiving a full medical license.
- However, the Federation of State Medical Boards says that since 2023, at least nine states have dropped the rule for some physicians with foreign training, as more than a dozen states consider similar changes.
- Supporters of the change argue qualified doctors shouldn’t have to complete another residency which takes years, and expediting the process could address medical care shortages in underserved areas.
Full Story
Many states are hoping to shore up physician shortages in rural communities by easing restrictions for doctors from other countries to get a medical license in the U.S., according to a report from NPR on Monday, March 3.
In the past, every state required doctors who completed a foreign residency or similar program abroad to repeat the process in the U.S. before receiving a full medical license.
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How many states does this change impact?
However, the Federation of State Medical Boards says that since 2023, at least nine states have dropped the rule for some physicians with foreign training, as more than a dozen other states consider similar changes.
What are supporters of the change saying?
Supporters of the change argue qualified doctors shouldn’t have to complete another residency, which takes years, and expediting the process could address medical care shortages in underserved areas.
What are critics saying?
Meanwhile, critics contend that dropping the requirement puts patients at risk and does little to address rural shortages of medical practitioners.
Barbara Parker, a registered nurse and former Arizona Republican lawmaker, has opposed repeated efforts from her state’s legislature to loosen the residency requirements for licenses. Parker told NPR that she is concerned it will lead to hospitals hiring underqualified doctors to save money and hurt patient care in the process.
What are experts saying?
A commission of national health organizations said even if residency mandates are dropped, doctors in foreign programs still face obstacles to employment.
In states where the residency rules are loosened, licenses are only available to internationally trained doctors who meet specific conditions, including working as a physician for several years after graduation and completing residency programs commensurate with those in the U.S.
Ten bills and laws in states that are considering, or have adopted, the change also require foreign-trained doctors to work for several years in rural or underserved communities to address gaps in patient care.
Tennessee does not have this requirement, and medical researchers say it may mean rural shortages are not being addressed in the state as a result.
