The state of Tennessee recently approved two bills that could offer foreign medical school graduates alternative paths to licensure.
The Tennessee Department of Health has now published an application with a pathway for FMGs to practice in TN without exams or training.
YOU MUST SECURE A JOB AT A FACILITY WITH AN ACGME APPROVED TRAINING PROGRAM IN ANY SPECIALTY.
Public Chapter 211 is now in effect and is the law as of July 1 to January 1, 2025.
The TN board may issue a temp license of limited duration to a international medical school graduate upon finding sufficient evidence of one of these following things:
1. Demonstrated competency as determined by the board. OR
2. Completed a three years postgraduate training program in graduate’s licensing country. OR
3. Has otherwise practiced as a medical professional performing the duties of a physician for at least 3 of the last 5 years outside of the United States.
If qualified by either having 3 years of a postgraduate training program completed in their licensing country or having practiced as a physician for the past 3 of 5 years, they also have to submit evidence of employment as a physician at a healthcare provider that operates in Tennessee and has a postgraduate training program accredited by the ACGME in place.
If the board were to grant a temp license under these circumstances, then that licensee shall be given a full unrestricted license to practice if they are in good standing 2 years after having been issued the temporary license.
APPLICATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ONLINE
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/healthprofboards/medicalexaminers/MD_IMGTemp.pdf
Public Chapter 211 will be replaced by Public Chapter 929 January 1, 2025.
Public Chapter 929 January 1, 2025. Temporary Foreign Training License of Limited Duration
1. Demonstrated competency as determined by the board. AND
2. Completed a three years postgraduate training program in graduate’s licensing country. AND
3. Has otherwise practiced as a medical professional performing the duties of a physician for at least 3 of the last 5 years outside of the United States.
If qualified by either having 3 years of a postgraduate training program completed in their licensing country or having practiced as a physician for the past 3 of 5 years, they also have to submit evidence of employment as a physician at a healthcare provider that operates in Tennessee and has a postgraduate training program accredited by the ACGME in place.
No permanent licensure available after 2 years. May grant a full unrestricted license to practice to FMG licensee if granted license under G1 and in good standing after 2 years of issue date of Foreign Training License.
4. A temporary license of limited duration may be issued to a FMG who has completed US exams and 1 year of ACGME postgraduate training in the US. They do not have to submit evidence of employment as a physician at a healthcare provider that operates in Tennessee and has a postgraduate training program accredited by the ACGME in place.
