Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Health Care & Wellness Committee

HB 2832

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.

Brief Description: Concerning physician limited licenses.

Sponsors: Representatives Tharinger and Riccelli; by request of Department of Health.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Allows the Medical Quality Assurance Commission to grant full licenses to holders of limited teaching-research licenses.

  • Removes the two-year renewal limit on limited fellowship licenses.

Hearing Date: 2/2/16

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

Background:

The Medial Quality Assurance Commission (MQAC) licenses and disciplines allopathic physicians. A physician who graduates from a medical school within the United States or Canada must meet a variety of qualifications, including:

The MQAC may issue a limited license without examination to persons who meet certain qualifications. For example:

Summary of Bill:

The holder of a teaching-research license is eligible for full licensure if he or she:

The prohibition against a fellowship license being renewed for more than two years is eliminated. Teaching-research licensees and fellowship licensees may be nominated by any accredited medical school in Washington.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 27, 2016.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.