All Roll Calls
Yes: 123 • No: 11
OklahomaSB 1651Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision; modifying various provisions related to physicians and allied health professionals. Effective date.
Sponsored By: Brenda Stanley (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Senate Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
17 provisions identified: 13 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Limited licenses for international doctors
Beginning November 1, 2026, qualified international medical graduates can get a limited Oklahoma license. You must meet ECFMG rules and have a job at an Oklahoma facility with an ACGME‑accredited program. You practice only at that facility under the department chair’s supervision, and the license renews each year. After three years, if you are in good standing and pass USMLE Steps 1, 2 CK, and 3, the Board may grant a full license.
Stricter doctor licensure checks in Oklahoma
Beginning November 1, 2026, Oklahoma tightens medical license rules. You must have an MD from a Board‑approved U.S., U.S. territory, or Canadian school and at least 12 months of progressive postgraduate training. The Board can require foreign graduates to complete 12 to 24 more months of approved training. Applicants must meet USMLE attempt limits unless the Board grants an exception, and the Board may order physical, mental, competency, or drug‑dependency exams. You must submit a recent photo and any medical school discipline records, and foreign graduates must show ECFMG English, original‑source verifications, notarized English translations, and DHS status evidence. The Board can deny for false information, certain out‑of‑state discipline or refusals, or multiple exam failures.
Easier paths to athletic trainer licenses
Beginning November 1, 2026, you can qualify as an athletic trainer by: completing a Board‑approved program; holding PT licensure plus 800 hours under a licensed athletic trainer; or holding a four‑year degree plus two consecutive years as an apprentice. Anyone actively working as an athletic trainer on the effective date can be licensed within six months by proving five years’ experience in the last ten years and paying the fee.
No recertification required for doctors
Beginning November 1, 2026, the Board, hospitals, payors, and employers cannot require Maintenance of Certification as a condition of licensure, payment, employment, or hospital admitting privileges in Oklahoma.
Nontraditional therapies not grounds for denial
Beginning November 1, 2026, the Board cannot deny a medical license solely because a practice or therapy is experimental or nontraditional. If you meet all other requirements, using nontraditional approaches alone does not block licensure.
Respiratory care endorsement and telehealth
Beginning November 1, 2026, Oklahoma may license respiratory care practitioners by endorsement if qualifications match and there is no suspension or revocation in the last 10 years. The Board may also license applicants with approved NBRC credentials. Respiratory care may be provided by telemedicine under a physician’s prescription or verbal order and Oklahoma‑licensed supervision.
Faster suspensions and malpractice claim reporting
Beginning November 1, 2026, the Board can temporarily suspend a license on probable cause in an emergency, with notice and a prompt full hearing. Liability insurers and self‑insured parties must report personal‑injury claims against practitioners or hospitals within 60 days and report outcomes when cases end. Reports are privileged, and not reporting is a misdemeanor. Boards must give an annual redacted report to legislative leaders.
Telemedicine under Oklahoma medical jurisdiction
Beginning November 1, 2026, diagnosing or treating an Oklahoma patient by telemedicine counts as practicing medicine in Oklahoma when done under an Oklahoma‑licensed physician’s ongoing arrangement. Those providers are subject to Oklahoma courts for claims from that care.
Music therapist license standards set
Starting November 1, 2026, music therapists can get licensed if they are 18 or older, hold a bachelor’s or higher in music therapy (or an approved equivalent), complete 1,200 clinical hours (at least 180 pre‑internship and 900 internship), and pass the national certification exam. A temporary supervised license may be issued until the next Board meeting.
No‑fee emeritus status for physicians
Starting November 1, 2026, fully licensed physicians who retire can get emeritus status by notifying the Board. There is no fee to get or keep emeritus status. This option is only for physicians who choose to retire.
Quick temporary licenses for allied therapists
Beginning November 1, 2026, the Board Secretary may issue a temporary license before full licensure for athletic trainers, music therapists, and therapeutic recreation applicants, once all requirements are verified. The temporary license ends at the next Board meeting when the application is considered.
Special training license for trainees
Beginning November 1, 2026, a special postgraduate training license is available if you have finished all regular licensure steps except graduate education, a licensing exam, or similar items. The Board may set limits, and it reviews performance each year before renewal. This license does not guarantee future full licensure.
Non-allopathic therapies allowed under law
Beginning November 1, 2026, the allopathic licensure law does not prohibit people who are not Board‑licensed from offering non‑allopathic healing practices under that law’s terms.
Hospitals can employ doctors directly
Starting November 1, 2026, a hospital may employ licensed doctors without being treated as practicing medicine just for employing them. This employment alone is not unprofessional conduct by the doctor. Clinicians still remain liable for their own acts.
Athletic trainer fees and background checks
The law takes effect November 1, 2026. Starting January 1, 2027, athletic trainer licenses expire one year from issuance and must be renewed by August 31 each year. Fees are: exam $20, initial license $25, annual renewal $10, and apprentice license $5. Applicants must submit fingerprints for a national criminal‑history check. Violations move from misdemeanor fines to Board disciplinary action.
Occupational therapists must pass fingerprint checks
Starting November 1, 2026, new occupational therapy applicants and compact applicants must submit fingerprints for a national criminal‑history check. The Board uses the results only for screening, keeps the records, and does not share the criminal history information.
Old licensure section repealed
On November 1, 2026, Oklahoma repeals Section 493.2 of Title 59 (as amended in 2025). This removes the old section from law. Effects depend on what that section previously required or allowed.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Brenda Stanley
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Nicole Miller
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/6/2026
Top_of_Page
Yes: 87 • No: 2
House vote • 4/15/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 13 • No: 0
House vote • 4/15/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 13 • No: 0
House vote • 4/1/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 5 • No: 0
House vote • 4/1/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/11/2026
THIRD READING
Yes: 0 • No: 9
Senate vote • 3/2/2026
Top_of_Page
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor 05/11/2026
5/12/2026SenateSent to Governor
5/6/2026SenateSigned, returned to Senate
5/6/2026HouseEnrolled, to House
5/6/2026SenateReferred for enrollment
5/6/2026SenateSigned, returned to Senate
5/6/2026HouseThird Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 87 Nays: 2
5/6/2026HouseGeneral Order
5/6/2026HouseCR; Do Pass Health and Human Services Oversight Committee
4/16/2026HousePolicy recommendation to the Health and Human Services Oversight committee; Do Pass Public Health
4/1/2026HouseReferred to Public Health
3/30/2026HouseSecond Reading referred to Health and Human Services Oversight
3/30/2026HouseFirst Reading
3/12/2026HouseEngrossed to House
3/12/2026SenateReferred for engrossment
3/11/2026SenateMeasure passed: Ayes: 32 Nays: 9
3/11/2026SenateGeneral Order, Considered
3/11/2026SenatePlaced on General Order
3/4/2026SenateReported Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Health and Human Services committee; CR filed
3/2/2026SenateCoauthored by Representative Miller (principal House author)
2/10/2026SenateSecond Reading referred to Health and Human Services
2/3/2026SenateAuthored by Senator Stanley
2/2/2026SenateFirst Reading
2/2/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled (final version)
5/6/2026
Floor (House)
4/20/2026
House Committee Report
4/16/2026
House Policy Committee Report
4/1/2026
Engrossed
3/12/2026
Floor (Senate)
3/3/2026
Committee Substitute
3/2/2026
Senate Committee Report
3/2/2026
Introduced
1/13/2026
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