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KentuckySB 1372026 Regular SessionSenate

AN ACT relating to a provisional license to practice medicine.

Sponsored By: Stephen Meredith (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Health And Medical ServicesLicensingOccupations And ProfessionsHealth Care ProfessionalsPhysicians

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Provisional license for doctors in underserved areas

Kentucky creates a provisional medical license tied to a sponsoring employer in a federally designated medically underserved area. You must meet regular licensure rules, have a job offer from a licensed sponsor, be in good standing within the last five years, complete residency or similar training, and have at least five years of practice. After three years working for the sponsor, the license converts to a regular Kentucky license. You must stay employed with the sponsor during those three years or the board can revoke the provisional license. After conversion, you do not have to remain with the sponsor.

Special faculty licenses: limits and upgrades

If you hold a special faculty medical license, you may only practice inside the accredited Kentucky school program and its affiliated institutions. The medical board sets the initial application fee by regulation. After five straight years on this faculty license, the board can grant you a regular license.

Rare licenses for exceptional doctors

In extraordinary cases, the board can grant a medical license when your credentials are exceptional and your practice would help the public welfare in Kentucky.

Medical license denials without full hearings

The medical board can deny an application or reactivation without a full evidentiary hearing after giving notice and a chance to be heard. It may do this if it finds violations of professional standards or that the person is unfit to practice. You can still appeal the denial under state law.

Board sets residency length rules

The Kentucky medical board sets how long required postgraduate training must last by regulation. Before setting the rule, the board consults with the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, and Pikeville’s osteopathic school. The law itself does not set a number. The rule can raise or lower the time required.

Visiting professor licenses by board choice

The board can grant a visiting professor license after considering your regular-licensure qualifications, licensure in other places, and the program director’s recommendation confirming employment. If the board denies a visiting professor license, that denial is not appealable under the board’s usual licensure appeal process.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Stephen Meredith

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Danny Carroll

    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

    3/31/2026Senate

  4. enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

    3/31/2026Senate

  5. received in Senate

    3/31/2026Senate

  6. 3rd reading, passed 79-11

    3/31/2026House

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

    3/20/2026House

  8. 2nd reading, to Rules

    3/20/2026House

  9. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

    3/19/2026House

  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)

    3/5/2026Senate

  14. floor amendment (1) withdrawn

    3/5/2026Senate

  15. 3rd reading

    3/5/2026Senate

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

    3/4/2026Senate

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

    3/3/2026Senate

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

    3/2/2026Senate

  19. floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute

    3/2/2026Senate

  20. 2nd reading, to Rules

    2/26/2026Senate

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

    2/25/2026Senate

  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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