AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- BOARD OF MEDICAL LICENSURE AND DISCIPLINE .

New licensing path for foreign-trained doctors

Effective upon passage, the law creates a Rhode Island licensing path for doctors trained outside the United States. Applicants need a degree from a legally chartered foreign medical school recognized by the World Health Organization. They must have been allowed to practice abroad and have at least one year of medical practice. They need an Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates certificate or another board-approved credential review. The board can waive certification when records cannot be obtained from a non-cooperating country. Applicants must pass Steps 1 and 2 Clinical Knowledge of the United States Medical Licensing Examination. They must sign an agreement for a participating facility’s board-approved review of nonclinical skills and commit to full-time employment there. Participating facilities include health centers, hospitals, and other board-approved facilities operating in designated physician-shortage areas. The supervised limited license lasts one year and can be renewed once, for two years total. After completing the facility review, passing Step 3, and meeting board requirements, doctors can get a renewable two-year restricted license. This allows independent practice only in board-designated shortage areas, in primary care, psychiatry, or another board-approved specialty. After at least two years of restricted practice, doctors can apply for a full license through existing board procedures; approval is not automatic.