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Panel hears proposal for provisional licenses for internationally trained physicians; sponsors plan further review
Summary
Senator Jackson described SB 142, a two-stage provisional licensing path for physicians trained outside the U.S. who agree to work in high-need areas. The committee heard an overview but did not take action; the sponsor said the measure will be revised and witnesses will be invited back for additional testimony.
Senator Jackson introduced Senate Bill 142 as a two-phase pathway for internationally trained physicians to obtain a limited Georgia license while working in medically underserved areas.
Under the version presented, applicants must be medical-school graduates who have been licensed and worked as physicians in another country within a recent window (sponsor language described work within three of the prior seven years). The bill as described would permit a provisional license for two years while the physician takes required U.S. medical exams and works under supervision; after meeting examination and supervision requirements, the physician could extend eligibility by committing to serve an additional two years in a designated high-need setting (for example, a rural hospital or a federally qualified health center). Committee members framed the proposal as a way to increase the number of practicing physicians in rural and underserved areas and to make hiring quicker for facilities with workforce shortages.
Senator Jackson said the bill was developed following recommendations from the Senate Rural Health study group and emphasized safeguards: applicants must be hired by the institution that will supervise them, take national licensing exams (United States Medical Licensing Examination steps), and work under supervision before receiving a more standard license. He said the sponsor’s goal is to help facilities recruit and retain physicians who may establish roots after several years of service.
The committee did not vote on SB 142 and the sponsor said he planned to bring interested stakeholders back for additional testimony and to refine technical details; the bill was not advanced and hearing time was limited. Several senators indicated support in principle but asked for more detail and for formal testimony from licensing authorities and hospitals before the committee considers formal action.
