Breaking Barriers: Tennessee's New Law Opens Doors for International Medical Graduate

Tennessee is the first state to pass a law allowing doctors who are licensed outside the US and Canada to practice in the US with a provisional licensure. This is a huge leap for the future of IMGs. The bill will go into effect July 1, 2024.
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The Current IMG Scene: International Medical Graduates play a crucial role in the US healthcare system, especially in underserved areas, making up about 1 in 4 physicians in the US and Canada. However, there are many barriers for IMGs to get licensed in the US, including high cost of medical school and residency, the competitive residency match process, and the limited number of residency positions available. These barriers have led to underutilization of IMGs' skills, with up to 40% working in non-medical roles in some states.
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​The New Tennessee Law:
Fast forward to April 2023, Tennessee rolls out Senate Bill 1451. The law allows IMGs licensed in other countries to apply for provisional licenses to work as a healthcare provider at locations that have a post-graduate training program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. After working for two years, IMGs in good standing will be granted a full and unrestricted medical licensure. No US residency required!​
Qualification Criteria For IMGs: To qualify for this game-changing opportunity, applicants require the following:
  • A certificate from a medical school whose curriculum is judged to be acceptable by the board
  • A nonrefundable application fee as set by the board
  • Sufficient evidence of good standing with the medical licensing or regulatory institution of the applicant's licensing country
  • Have completed a three-year post-graduate training program (residency or fellowship training) in their home country or have practiced for at least three out of the last five years outside the United States.
  • Evidence of being an international medical graduate
  • Offer for employment as a physician at a healthcare provider that operates in this state and has a residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (see list of residency programs below)
  • ECFMG Certification
  • Evidence of US Citizenship or legal US work authorization
  • Evidence of good moral character
  • Evidence of fluency in English

​What does this mean for me?
If you are interested in pursuing your US medical career, this may be an alternative option for you. Note that you do still have to pass the step exams, you must have US work authorization or Visa sponsorship, and you have to have a job offer in Tennessee before you can apply for this provisional license. If you remain in good standing after working for two years, the board will grant you a full and unrestricted license to practice in Tennessee.

Schedule a time to meet with us to discuss if this is the best plan for you!
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Conclusion
Tennessee's new law is a big leap forward in the medical world. With the goal of covering doctor shortages and bringing more diversity, it will be amazing to see the impact over the next few years. If it proves to be successful, it will encourage other states to adopt similar policies. Good luck to all!

Medical Residency Programs in Tennessee:
Baptist Memorial Hospital
Baptist Memorial Medical Education
East Tennessee State University
HCA Healthcare/TriStar Nashville
HCA Healthcare/TriStar Southern Hills
Health Education Services
Meharry/Metro General Hospital
Methodist Healthcare Memphis Hospital
Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge
University of Tennessee College of Medicine-Chattanooga
University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine-Knoxville
University of Tennessee Health Science Center-Memphis
UT Ascension Saint Thomas
Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Sources:
Tennessee General Assembly
New England Journal of Medicine