Bill > HB1379

This bill modifies the licensing requirements for foreign medical graduates in Hawaii by creating two alternative pathways to obtaining a medical license. Previously, only foreign medical graduates who passed the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) qualifying examination before 1984 could be licensed. The first pathway requires passing the Federation Licensing Examination (FLEX) or United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), passing the ECFMG qualifying exam, and having at least three years of hospital medical training. The second new pathway allows licensing for foreign medical graduates who pass the FLEX or USMLE, possess an ECFMG certificate, and have successfully completed two years of post-graduate medical training in an accredited program by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, American Osteopathic Association, or recognized Canadian medical training programs. This expanded pathway provides more opportunities for foreign-trained medical professionals to become licensed physicians in Hawaii, potentially helping to address medical workforce shortages by creating more flexible licensing standards.

Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1379&year=2025