Committee advances bill to allow provisional licenses for vetted international physicians in rural counties

The committee gave a due-pass recommendation to Senate Bill 1108, which would allow internationally licensed physicians to practice under a provisional Arizona license when they meet federal immigration requirements, have a job offer at a qualifying health care provider in a county with fewer than 1,000,000 people, and satisfy statutory licensure prerequisites.

Supporters say the bill targets physician shortages in rural Arizona by creating a supervised, four-year provisional pathway that converts automatically to a full license if the provisional physician practices in the eligible county for the four-year period without discipline. The measure also temporarily exempts the Arizona Medical Board and the Arizona Board of Osteopathic Examiners from certain statutory rule-making requirements for one year as the boards implement the process.

Staff summarized the bill’s eligibility and conversion rules: a provisional license would require an offer of employment at a qualifying provider in a county under 1,000,000 population, federal immigration status authorizing work as a physician, and satisfaction of medical licensure statutory requirements. The sponsor, Senator Jenna Shamp, said the bill responds to an acute, statewide physician shortage, most severe in rural counties, and described stakeholder collaboration with the medical boards and hospital systems to craft guardrails.

Senator Shamp and witnesses described the bill’s safeguards: the provisional physician must be supervised by a licensed Arizona physician of equal or higher status at the facility (for example, chief of staff, chief of surgery or CMO) who would effectively sponsor the provisional license and assume professional accountability. If the provisional physician practices in the designated county for four years without disciplinary action, the provisional license automatically converts to a full Arizona license.

Committee members asked about a sunset and geographic scope: several members urged a formal sunset review rather than indefinite continuation. The sponsor said she would consider an eight-year sunset to allow two cycles of provisional practice to be reviewed and noted broad stakeholder engagement, including hospitals and tribal entities. Members also asked about the list of eligible foreign training jurisdictions; the sponsor said the initial list was modeled on countries with reciprocity used by Canadian rules but that the board retains authority to approve other qualified applicants.

A representative from Cicero Action, Tim Frost, testified in support, calling SB 1108 a structured and documented path to integrate experienced international physicians now while expanding U.S. residency capacity in the longer term. Committee members expressed bipartisan support but several said they wanted a sunset amendment considered on the floor; the chair noted a committee amendment deadline had passed and suggested sponsors coordinate the amendment for floor consideration.

Motion and vote: a motion to return SB 1108 with a due-pass recommendation carried (committee announced 6 ayes, 1 no). The committee record indicates sponsors and medical boards will continue stakeholder work and that a sunset amendment is likely to be pursued on the floor.