The "Graduate Physician Licensing Act" establishes a new framework for licensing graduate physicians in New Jersey, allowing the State Board of Medical Examiners to issue licenses to individuals who meet specific criteria, such as being at least 18 years old, graduating from an accredited medical school, completing clinical practice hours, and passing relevant medical licensing examinations. The act defines key terms and outlines the responsibilities of graduate physicians, who are required to practice under the supervision of a collaborating physician in designated medically underserved areas. The act also permits graduate physicians to prescribe certain controlled substances and medical cannabis, provided they adhere to collaborative practice arrangements that ensure oversight by the collaborating physician.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that health benefits plans and state Medicaid programs reimburse graduate physicians at rates comparable to other mid-level health care providers, such as physician assistants, thereby enhancing access to healthcare in underserved regions. It includes provisions for the registration of graduate physicians with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration for prescribing controlled substances and requires documentation of on-site practice hours with collaborating physicians before independent prescribing can occur. The act emphasizes the rights of physicians and graduate physicians to refuse collaborative arrangements without penalty and clarifies the legal framework surrounding medical cannabis use and the responsibilities of healthcare providers in New Jersey.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 24:6I-3, 24:21-15.2