House Bill No. [insert number] aims to revise occupational licensing laws in Montana by establishing the "Expanding Physician Access Act." This legislation seeks to facilitate the licensure of internationally trained physicians, thereby addressing physician shortages, particularly in rural and primary care settings. The bill introduces a provisional licensing process for international physicians who have job offers from healthcare providers in Montana, provided they meet specific criteria, including passing the United States medical licensing examination and obtaining federal immigration status that allows them to practice in the U.S. Provisional licenses will automatically convert to full licenses after three years of continuous practice in the state.

The bill includes several new definitions, such as "healthcare provider," "international medical program," and "international physician," to clarify the scope of the legislation. It also outlines the conditions under which the board may revoke a provisional license and establishes an appeals process for licensees. Importantly, the bill maintains that all existing standards of care and licensing requirements remain unchanged, ensuring that the quality of medical practice is upheld while removing unnecessary barriers for qualified international physicians. Additionally, the bill includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the act is found invalid, the remaining provisions will still be effective.