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KentuckySB 1372026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT relating to a provisional license to practice medicine.

Sponsored By: Michael Meredith (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Health And Medical ServicesHealth Care ProfessionalsLicensingOccupations And ProfessionsPhysicians

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Academic fellowship and faculty licenses

The Board grants a one‑year, renewable fellowship license for doctors accepted into a Kentucky medical school fellowship. Foreign graduates can qualify if certified in the fellowship specialty and in good standing at home. The Board also issues a one‑year, renewable special faculty license for full‑time faculty who are dean‑nominated, hold a valid out‑of‑state license, speak English, and are board certified, with an initial fee. Practice is limited to the school and its affiliates. After five straight years on a special faculty license, you may get a regular license.

More routes to regular medical licenses

The law sets clear steps to get a regular Kentucky medical license for U.S., Canadian, and foreign‑trained doctors. Doctors licensed in another state can get licensed here by endorsement when their original state confirms good standing and comparable qualifications. In rare cases, the Board may grant a license to an applicant with exceptional credentials when it helps the public.

One-year institutional practice licenses

The Board can issue a limited institutional license for one year, with yearly renewals. You must meet regular or foreign‑graduate requirements and complete at least one full year of board‑approved postgraduate training. The Board may set extra conditions by regulation.

Board exam and denial rules

You must pass the Board’s licensing exam. The Board sets passing scores, testing chances, and which scores it will accept by regulation. The Board may deny a license or inactive‑license reregistration without a full evidentiary hearing if it finds a violation of KRS 311.595 or 311.597, or finds you unfit. It must give notice and a chance to be heard, and you can appeal under KRS 311.593.

Provisional licenses for underserved areas

Qualified physicians can get a provisional license if they have a job with a sponsor in a federally defined medically underserved area. They must have recent good standing, finished residency or similar training, and at least five years of physician practice in their licensing country. After three years with the sponsor, the license becomes a regular Kentucky license, and the doctor does not have to stay with the sponsor. The Board can revoke the provisional license during those three years if the job ends or for misconduct listed in KRS 311.595 or 311.597.

Visiting professor medical license rules

The Board may grant a visiting professor license for work at an accredited Kentucky medical school. It checks if you meet regular qualifications, have a license elsewhere, and have a program director’s recommendation with any needed waiver explanations. If denied, you cannot appeal that denial under KRS 311.593.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Michael Meredith

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Danny Carroll

    Republican • Senate

  • Lindsey Tichenor

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 109 • No: 18

House vote • 3/31/2026

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 79 • No: 11

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

passed

Yes: 30 • No: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 89)

    4/10/2026

  2. delivered to Governor

    3/31/2026

  3. enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House

    3/31/2026

  4. enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

    3/31/2026

  5. received in Senate

    3/31/2026Senate

  6. 3rd reading, passed 79-11

    3/31/2026

  7. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 24 2026

    3/20/2026

  8. 2nd reading, to Rules

    3/20/2026

  9. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

    3/19/2026

  10. to Health Services (H)

    3/11/2026House

  11. to Committee on Committees (H)

    3/6/2026House

  12. received in House

    3/6/2026House

  13. passed 30-7 with Committee Substitute (1)

    3/5/2026

  14. floor amendment (1) withdrawn

    3/5/2026

  15. 3rd reading

    3/5/2026

  16. passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day

    3/4/2026

  17. passed over and retained in the Orders of the Day

    3/3/2026

  18. posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 03 2026

    3/2/2026

  19. floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute

    3/2/2026

  20. 2nd reading, to Rules

    2/26/2026

  21. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)

    2/25/2026

  22. to Health Services (S)

    2/2/2026Senate

  23. to Committee on Committees (S)

    1/29/2026Senate

  24. introduced in Senate

    1/29/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Current

    3/5/2026

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/29/2026

    PDF

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