AB 2386: License to practice medicine: Licensed Physicians from Mexico Program and California Physician Expansion Act.

Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California to license and regulate the practice of medicine. Existing law establishes within the act the Licensed Physicians from Mexico Program, which authorizes the board to issue a limited number of nonrenewable 3-year physicians and surgeons licenses to licensed physicians from Mexico who meet specified criteria.

This bill would require the board to issue a full and unrestricted physicians and surgeons license to a person who has completed the 3-year term of the program in good standing upon satisfaction of specified requirements, including having an offer of continued employment from a health care facility or practice in California.

This bill would establish the Provisional License for Qualified International Physicians California Physician Expansion Act, which would require the board to issue a provisional license to an applicant who holds a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in another country who meets specified requirements. The bill would make the license valid for 5 3 years and renewable for one additional 5-year period. would authorize the board to grant a one-time extension for an additional period of up to 3 years, as specified. The bill would require a provisional licensee to, among other things, be employed by, and practice medicine only within, a sponsoring entity that is approved by the board, as specified. The bill would require the board to issue a full and unrestricted physicians and surgeons license to a provisional licensee applicant who meets specified requirements, including having completed at least 5 3 years of practice under the provisional license without any disciplinary actions. The bill would require the board to establish application, initial licensure, renewal, and conversion fees for the provisional license, as specified. The bill would make findings and declarations relating to its provisions.