SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5413

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background: Physician Licensure. The Medical Quality Assurance Commission (MQAC) is responsible for the licensure and discipline of physicians. To receive a Washington license to practice medicine, a physician must:

graduate from a medical school within the United States or Canada;
pass the United States Medication Licensing Examination;
complete two years of postgraduate medical training;
have good moral character; and
prove they maintain the ability to safely practice medicine.

Any applicant for licensure who meets the qualifications for licensure and has been licensed under the laws of another state, territory, or province of Canada may be granted a license without examination. In certain circumstances, MQAC may also issue limited licenses.

Upon nomination by a dean of the University of Washington school of medicine, MQAC may issue a limited license to a physician applicant invited to serve as a teaching-research member of the institution's instructional staff.

Educational Commission For Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) Certification. The ECFMG certifies graduates of international medical schools. ECFMG certification is a standard qualification for international medical graduates seeking to enter graduate medical education or practice in the United States.

Summary of Bill: A person holding a physician teaching research license may be eligible for full physician licensure if they have:

not graduated from a school of medicine in the United States or Canada and have passed the ECFMG certification process;
successfully completed MQAC's exam requirements;
the ability to read, write, speak, understand, and be understood in English;
continuously held a position of associate professor or higher at an accredited Washington State medical school for at least three years; and
had no disciplinary action taken against them in the previous five years.

Upon nomination by a dean of any accredited school of medicine in Washington, MQAC may issue a limited license to a physician applicant invited to serve as a teaching-research member of the institution's instructional staff.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is an important bill for providing additional physician licensure pathways and will assist with providing patients quality care in Washington. This bill would allow the new WSU medical school to recruit limited licensed physicians. Currently, WSU is precluded from hiring limited licensed physicians due to outdated laws that pertain only to the UW medical school. This teaching license will allow institutions to recruit qualified pioneering physicians to come teach at their institution. The UW brings in a lot of physicians on limited research licenses, and wants the physicians to have a pathway to full licensure so that they can practice in Washington.