Bill > AB2398

This bill establishes the Physician Graduate License Act, creating a new pathway for medical school graduates who have not yet completed a residency program to practice medicine in California under supervision. The act, overseen by the Medical Board of California, allows these "physician graduates" to obtain a special license if they meet certain criteria, including graduating from an accredited medical school within the last four years, passing specific medical licensing exams, and having a job offer under a "supervising practice agreement." This agreement is a formal contract with a "sponsoring physician," who must hold a full, unrestricted California medical license, be board-certified in their specialty, actively practice in California, and have no disciplinary actions against them. The agreement will detail the physician graduate's scope of practice and the supervision plan, including how often the sponsoring physician will directly oversee their work and be available for consultation. The physician graduate license will be valid for three years and can be renewed for additional three-year periods, provided the individual continues to practice under supervision, completes continuing medical education, and receives satisfactory evaluations from their sponsor. After five years of practice under this program, and upon passing the final part of the medical licensing exam and receiving positive evaluations, a physician graduate can apply for a full, unrestricted physician's license. Importantly, physician graduates must inform patients that they are practicing under supervision, providing the sponsoring physician's name and contact information. The bill aims to address physician shortages, particularly in underserved areas, by creating supervised practice opportunities for qualified medical graduates.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB2398