Bill > SB427

This bill establishes a pathway for internationally trained physicians, defined as those who received a medical degree from a foreign jurisdiction, to obtain a limited provisional license and eventually a full license to practice medicine in Georgia. This limited provisional license allows for supervised medical practice under a "supervising physician" (a fully licensed physician practicing in a rural county, hospital, federally qualified health center, or accredited medical school) and is overseen by a "medical director." To qualify, applicants must meet specific criteria including having a current or recently expired license in good standing from a foreign jurisdiction, demonstrating medical competency through approved examinations or board certification, passing an English proficiency test, and having legal authorization to work in the United States. The limited provisional license has restrictions on where the physician can practice, and violations can lead to disciplinary action. After four years of active practice under this license, and with two additional years of practice in an underserved area, physicians may apply for a full license if they meet further requirements, including a clean disciplinary and criminal record. The bill also mandates annual reports on the program's implementation and requires specific funding in the state's appropriations act for the provisions to take effect, with a conditional repeal if funding is not provided.