Bill > SB476

This bill aims to improve the professional licensing process for internationally educated physicians in Oregon by creating new provisions for their licensure and establishing support mechanisms. The bill requires professional licensing boards, specifically the Oregon Medical Board, to provide culturally responsive training for staff and develop clear, easily understandable guidance for internationally educated individuals seeking licensure. It introduces a provisional licensing pathway for internationally trained physicians, allowing them to practice under supervision in specific healthcare settings after meeting certain qualifications, such as graduating from a comparable medical school, having at least three years of practice experience, and obtaining certification from the Educational Council for Foreign Medical Graduates. The provisionally licensed physicians will be considered fully licensed and subject to the same regulations as other physicians, with the opportunity to apply for full licensure after four years of practice and completing a clinical assessment. The bill also mandates biennial reporting on the provisional licensure program and includes technical amendments to existing statutes to support these new provisions. Additionally, the bill provides funding for implementing these new licensing processes and declares an emergency, with most provisions becoming operative in 2026 and 2027.

Budget and Finance, Education, Health and Social Services

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/SB476