The proposed bill would update current statutes regarding provisional medical licensure in Arizona by introducing new provisions for international medical licensees. It would authorize the Arizona Medical Board (AMB) and the Arizona Board of Osteopathic Examiners (ABOE) to grant provisional medical licenses under specific conditions, such as having an employment offer in a county with a population under 1,000,000 and possessing the necessary federal immigration status. The bill also mandates that provisional licenses be renewed annually, automatically convert to full licenses after four years if certain conditions are met, and requires the AMB and ABOE to report on the program's outcomes by January 1, 2033. Furthermore, it prohibits the inability of the AMB or ABOE to obtain records from being used as the sole purpose for licensure denial, clarifying that such inability cannot solely justify a denial of licensure. Additional changes include allowing for a different standard of proof in cases of sexual misconduct with a patient, updating the requirements for evidence of medical training and exam passages, and changing the practice timeframe from five years to 60 months within the last ten years. The bill also prohibits the acceptance of new applications for provisional licenses after January 1, 2034, and requires legislative committees to review data related to provisional licenses to assess their future. Overall, these updates aim to enhance the medical workforce while ensuring public safety and maintaining professional standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 32-1440
Senate Engrossed Version: 32-1440
House Engrossed Version: 32-1440