Committee considers temporary license allowing internationally trained doctors to practice under supervision

The Michigan House Health Policy Committee took testimony on a bill that would create a temporary license for physicians trained outside the United States and Canada, allowing them to practice under supervision at specified facilities for up to two years before qualifying for full licensure.

Sponsors told the committee the change aims to address physician shortages by allowing qualified international medical graduates to serve in underserved communities more quickly. Committee members asked whether the proposal would replace U.S. residency requirements and how the temporary license would apply to specialties.

Representative Woodford (introduction) said the proposal would create “a third type of licensure, which would be called a temporary license” for individuals trained outside the United States or Canada. Under the proposal, the temporary license would permit practice “under either an FQHC or a hospital” for two years, renewable once for two more years, and after that the individual could qualify for full licensure, the sponsor said.

A co-presenter said the bill is intended to “cut through the red tape” that slows entry of qualified physicians into Michigan, and cited workforce statistics: he said “nearly 32 percent of physicians are at retirement age” and Michigan has thousands of medical openings. He argued the proposal would allow the state Board of Medicine to assess applicants’ qualifications based on training and records rather than procedural paperwork.

Committee members pressed for details. Representative Tisdale asked whether the temporary license would substitute for a U.S. residency; sponsors said the license would be tied to supervised practice in an underserved or participating facility and that they would clarify specialty limits. Representative Bierlein asked whether the proposal would let physicians begin practicing under supervision while still recognizing previous training and experience; sponsors said the bill requires applicants to meet the same educational and competency benchmarks currently in statute before the board may grant full licensure.

The committee received no oral opposition during the hearing but accepted written cards from supporters and organizations. No final committee action on the bill was recorded in the transcript.