House Health Care Committee backs pathway to licensure for internationally trained physicians

Montpelier — The Vermont House Committee on Health Care on April 17 voted to report S.142, version 1.1, a bill that lays out a pathway for internationally trained physicians to obtain provisional and full medical licensure in Vermont.

Office of Legislative Counsel Jen Carvey told the committee the amendment is a strike-all that incorporates concepts the Department of Health proposed and language that returned from the Senate. The draft requires the Department of Health, in collaboration with the Board of Medical Practice, to provide a report by Jan. 15, 2027, detailing a proposed pathway to licensure, how other states handle international licensure, expected outcomes and the resources needed to evaluate qualifications.

Carvey described two licensure tracks under the draft: a provisional license to practice at a participating health care facility for internationally trained physicians who meet board-established provisional requirements, and a full license for physicians who complete the pathway established by board rule. She said the Board of Medical Practice would adopt rules “to enable the licensure of internationally trained physicians” and that the rules must reflect “the least restrictive form of regulation necessary to protect the public interest.”

The draft narrows the definition of participating health care facilities to hospitals, federally qualified health centers and community health centers that have the capacity to provide mentoring, evaluation and assessment by one or more fully licensed physicians physically located in Vermont. Participating facilities must ensure provisionally licensed physicians are covered by medical malpractice insurance for the duration of their employment and must not retaliate against those physicians for making employment-related complaints or pursuing enforcement of employment claims, Carvey said.

Lauren Layman, general counsel for the Department of Health, told the committee, “We support this version of the bill.” She said the department coordinated with stakeholders, including World Education Service, and that the current draft is similar to language discussed previously.

Committee members asked whether the bill requires individually issued malpractice policies and whether employer-provided coverage would include so-called "tail" coverage once an employment relationship ends. Provider representatives and counsel said the expectation in the draft is that the employer or facility would provide coverage for the duration of employment and that tail coverage depends on the terms of the employer’s policy and practice setting.

Members also sought clarification about immigration status. Multiple witnesses and counsel said the bill does not alter immigration law; it applies to people who are legally eligible to work in the United States and focuses on how they secure medical licensure once other eligibility conditions are met. Carvey and Layman said any additional immigration-related details could be considered in the board’s rules or in the January 2027 report.

The draft sets the rulemaking provisions to take effect July 1, 2027, while the licensure qualifications and participating-facility provisions would take effect July 1, 2028. Carvey also proposed shortening the bill title by removing the phrase "medical graduates."

After discussion, a member moved to report the bill out with the committee amendment (version 1.1). The committee agreed on a voice vote and named Representative Taylor as the bill reporter. The committee adjourned shortly thereafter.

What’s next: The Department of Health and the Board of Medical Practice will prepare the report due Jan. 15, 2027, and, if rules are adopted, the statutory changes would take effect in mid-2027 and mid-2028 as specified in the draft.