More States Fast Track Foreign-Trained Physicians

Since 2023, nine states have waived U.S. residency requirements for some foreign-trained physicians, with more states considering similar changes.

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At least nine states have eased licensing requirements for foreign-trained physicians since 2023 to address physician shortages.
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Proponents argue that qualified international doctors should not have to repeat U.S. residency training to practice medicine.
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Opponents express concerns about patient safety and question whether the changes will effectively alleviate doctor shortages.
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New laws often require foreign-trained doctors to work in rural or underserved areas, but some states lack this requirement.
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An advisory commission recommends data collection on the impact of new licensing pathways to assess their effectiveness.

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