Licensure for internationally trained physicians approved

Internationally trained physicians will have an alternative licensure pathway to practice medicine in Nebraska under a bill passed April 10.

LB1212, sponsored by Ralston Sen. Merv Riepe, allows the state Department of Health and Human Services, with the approval of the Board of Medicine and Surgery, to issue a maximum three-year provisional license to an internationally trained physician who enters into an agreement for full-time employment with a participating Nebraska health care entity, beginning Aug. 1, 2027.

The agreement requires a participating health care entity to conduct an initial formative needs assessment, develop an individualized learning and supervision plan and evaluate the physician’s familiarity with the standards appropriate for medical practice.

Under the bill, an individual must meet the following criteria to be considered an internationally trained physician:
• have a medical degree or its equivalent from a legally chartered medical school outside the U.S.;
• be a U.S. citizen or legally authorized to work by the U.S. federal government;
• have completed a graduate medical education training program that is substantially similar to a U.S. graduate medical education or residency program;
• be licensed or otherwise authorized to practice medicine in another country;
• have practiced medicine for at least three of the last five years; and
• be in good standing with no pending discipline related to any previous medical licensing or regulatory institution during the most recent three years of practice.

After successfully practicing under a provisional license, an internationally trained physician may apply for a transitional license for another three years. A holder of a transitional license may practice only in a designated health profession shortage area.

An internationally trained physician may apply for an unrestricted license to practice medicine in Nebraska after practicing for at least six years under provisional and transitional licensure with satisfactory assessment and evaluation.

LB1212 was amended to include provisions of Hastings Sen. Dan Lonowski’s LB899, which amends the Engineers and Architects Regulation Act to eliminate an exemption related to the practice of architecture by non-residents and updates language regarding use of a licensee’s seal.

The measure also eliminates a requirement that a qualified candidate obtain approval from the Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects to be eligible for the professional engineering examination.

Lawmakers passed the bill 49-0.