The proposed bill would update current statutes regarding medical licensure in Arizona by introducing provisions for granting provisional medical licenses to international medical licensees. Specifically, it would allow the Arizona Medical Board (AMB) and the Arizona Board of Osteopathic Examiners (ABOE) to issue these licenses under certain conditions, such as having an employment offer in a county with a population under one million and possessing the necessary federal immigration status. The bill also includes new requirements for provisional licensees, such as working under supervision, complying with continuing education mandates, and the process for converting a provisional license to a full medical license after four years of practice.

Additionally, the bill would amend existing statutes by prohibiting the AMB or ABOE from using the inability to obtain professional conduct records as the sole reason for denying licensure and would establish a deadline for accepting new applications for provisional licenses. It mandates that the AMB or ABOE submit a report by January 1, 2033, detailing various statistics related to provisional licensure, and it exempts the board from certain rulemaking requirements for one year after the bill's effective date. Overall, these updates aim to enhance the integration of qualified international medical professionals into Arizona's healthcare system while ensuring public safety and maintaining professional standards.

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