Illinois - Job Placement Without Residency

The state of Illinois recently created a new “International Medical Graduate Limited License” that allows certain internationally trained physicians to begin practicing in the state under the supervision of a fully licensed physician for a defined period, as the first step in a structured pathway toward full medical licensure. After completing two years under the limited license (and an additional two years supervised practice through a restricted license), eligible international medical graduates can eventually apply for a full, unrestricted Illinois medical license — helping address physician shortages while maintaining oversight and quality standards.

This new Illinois law is a game-changer for International Medical Graduates because it creates a direct, structured pathway for highly trained doctors educated abroad to finally practice medicine in the state — allowing them to begin working under supervision, help address severe physician shortages, and eventually earn a full, unrestricted medical license without having to repeat a full U.S. residency program.

Current specialties hiring:
  • Internal Medicine
  • Family Medicine
  • Pediatrics
  • Neurology
  • OBGYN
  • Emergency Medicine

So how do I get started?

Let Sarthi help at every step!
  1. Check your eligibility
  2. Apply for jobs
  3. Accept the job position
  4. Apply for a restricted license
  5. Start your US career

1. Eligibility Check 

​Sarthi is here to help. We connect you with job opportunities, prepare a strong application, and coach you to walk into interviews with confidence, so you can start working in Illinois faster. Don’t navigate this journey alone.
​
​Follow the steps below and let Sarthi guide and propel you into your U.S. medical career.

Check your eligibility for Illinois limited licensing by filling out this easy-to-use form.

Find all Illinois requirements here.

Not eligible? You can check your eligibility for other states here.

Contact our team for more questions/clarifications.
​DM us on WhatsApp at +919306193724 or Email us at [email protected]

2. Apply for Jobs

Finding the job is the hardest part; that’s where Sarthi can help!
We’ll refer you to our network of Illinois physicians and hospitals actively hiring. From application preparation to interview coaching, Sarthi is here to ensure you walk into the interview with confidence, ready to succeed.

At this stage, send us the following application materials to be shared with the hiring teams:
  1. At least 1 Letter of recommendation
  2. Specialty of interest
  3. Non-ERAS CV/Resume
  4. Professional headshot
  5. ID/Visa/Passport
  6. Cover letter/letter of intent
  7. Background check (must be in person in the US)
  8. HIPAA (can be done online)
  9. BLS or ACLS, or PALS (can be done online)
  10. Updated vaccinations (see list below)
  11. Submit a $375 non-refundable application fee, pay here, or let us know if you need Zelle instructions.
Required vaccinations:
  • MMR–Evidence of vaccine or titers.
  • DTP–Evidence of DTP or TdaP vaccine, or titers for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
  • Hep. B–Evidence of Hep B immunization or HbsAb (immunity) titer.
  • Tuberculosis
  • Influenza
  • Negative PPD results in the past 6 months, or negative chest X-ray report within the past 12 months, or proof of the QuantiFERON test within the past 12 months.
We can help prepare your resume/cover letter, interview prep, etc. for an additional fee, let us know what you're looking for.

Have Queries?
DM us on WhatsApp at +919306193724 or Email us at [email protected]

3. Accept Job Position

Next steps:

Our coordinator in Illinois will schedule a brief call or session with you to get an idea of what you're looking for. If this is a good fit, she will apply directly to hospitals/physicians on your behalf.

Interested hospitals/physicians may interview and/or offer a job position. Our coordinator will send the written job offer/costs/salary, etc.

If you choose to accept the position, submit $6000 hiring fee to USMLESarthi.
We will connect you with your hiring physician/hospital to discuss contract details.

4. Apply for Restricted License

Once job details are finalized, THEN you will need to apply for the limited license through the Illinois website. You can do this on your own, or we can fill it out on your behalf.
Go to CORE here to fill out the application, or let us know if you need help doing so.

5. Start Your US Career

Once the license is approved (about 3-4 weeks), you will work directly with your hiring manager or team to confirm start date, requirements, responsibilities, etc.
Good luck in your new venture!

​Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions
  • Interviews are not guaranteed.
  • Job placement is not guaranteed. ​
  • Hospitals and physicians will still need to review your profile and select you for an interview from a pool of applicants.
  • The application fee is non-refundable.
  • Any profile guidance/editing fees are non-refundable.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs
  1. What is the expected salary?
    Salary details will be discussed with your hiring physician or hospital. USMLESarthi and our partners are not responsible for salary amounts, agreements, or contracts. With that said, we expect this salary for these positions to be around $50-$60k/year.
  2. What happens if I get into residency and need to break this contract?
    This is discussed directly with your hiring physician or hospital.
  3. How many spots are available?
    Illinois has a high need for physician shortages. The number of spots may vary over time. At this point, we have about 3-4 positions per specialty, but this may increase as we increase our partnerships.
  4. Can I apply for the license without having a job offer in hand?
    No. One of the requirements on the license application is to provide proof of a qualified job offer. That is where Sarthi helps. After paying the application fee, we will submit your application to hiring hospitals and physicians. After you interview and accept a job position, THEN you will submit the license application to the state.
  5. Are there any other fees I should be aware of?
    Yes, in addition to the application fee and hiring fee paid to Sarthi, your hiring team may also charge a hiring fee. This will be discussed with your hiring physician/hospital. We expect it to be around $15k-$20k. This can be paid upfront or taken out of your salary monthly.
  6. If my specialty is not listed, can I still apply?
    Yes, please still apply. The specialties listed above are the ones where we primarily have connections and many openings; however, other openings may come up. Go ahead and submit your application, and we can see what we have.
  7. Can I get a Visa sponsorship through this job offer?
    Possibly. This will be discussed directly with the hiring hospital or physician team. Some may be willing to sponsor the Visa. Some may not.
  8. Will I be board-eligible at the end of the 4 years?
    Yes! After working under the limited license for 4 years, you will be eligible to receive a fully unrestricted license and can appear for the Boards for Board certification. No residency required!

Have Queries?
DM us on WhatsApp at +919306193724 or Email us at [email protected]