Limited Licensure of International Medical Graduates. International medical graduates are physicians who receive their medical school education outside the United States and Canada.
International medical graduates must go through medical licensing examinations and credential verifications to receive certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). International medical graduates who receive ECFMG certification become eligible to enter the United States' graduate medical education process, where they provide supervised patient care. The ECFMG certification is a requirement for international medical graduates to take Step 3 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination, as well as a prerequisite to obtaining an unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States.
The Washington Medical Commission (Commission) may issue a limited license to an applicant for gaining clinical experience at an approved facility or program if the applicant:
Limited Licensure of United States and Canadian Medical Graduates. The Commission may, upon the written request of the secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) or the secretary of the Department of Corrections (Corrections), issue limited licenses to persons who work with patients, residents, or inmates of state institutions under the control and supervision of DSHS or Corrections. In 2019, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) assumed control of programs previously administered by DSHS, including juvenile rehabilitation facilities, community facilities, and parole services.
Limited Licensure of International Medical Graduates. The Commission may issue limited licenses to international medical graduates upon nomination by the chief medical officer of any licensed hospital or appropriate medical practice located in Washington State, DCYF, the DSHS, Corrections, or a county or city health department.
An international medical graduate applying for a limited license must:
An international medical graduate practicing with a limited license may only practice within the nominating facility or organization, under the control of a licensed supervising physician or osteopathic physician of the same or substantially similar clinical specialty. An international medical graduate must also file a practice agreement with the Commission between the international medical graduate and the supervising physician. A supervising physician is limited to supervising two limited license holders, unless the Commission grants an increase upon the supervising physician's request.
A limited license for an international medical graduate is valid for two years and may be renewed once by the Commission upon application by the nominating entity.
Limited Licensure of United States and Canadian Medical Graduates. The Commission may, upon the written request of the secretary of DCYF, issue limited licenses to persons who work with patients, residents, or inmates of state institutions under the control and supervision of DCYF.
The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: International medical graduates are well qualified to practice safe medicine and can fill the shortage of medical professionals. This bill would provide more access to care for people in Washington State since there is a medical professional shortage. There is a need to encourage more bilingual medical doctors. International medical graduates are qualified to provide care since they had to pass all the medical tests in their native country and then have to pass all the medical tests in the United States again. There has not been a clear pathway to employment for international medical graduates until now. Agencies like Corrections, or DSHS can now employ international medical graduates. Increasing this diversity in care is essential to expanding access to health care.