Existing law provides for the licensing of physicians by the Board of Medical Examiners. (NRS 630.160-630.1607, 630.258-630.2665) Existing law also authorizes a graduate of a foreign medical school to obtain a restricted license to teach, research or practice medicine at a medical facility, medical research facility or medical school by completing certain requirements that are less stringent than the requirements to obtain an unrestricted license. (NRS 630.2645) If the holder of such a restricted license wishes to obtain an unrestricted license, existing law requires the holder to meet all of the qualifications ordinarily required to obtain an unrestricted license. (NRS 630.160, 630.2645) Section 1 of this bill authorizes the Board of Medical Examiners to issue a limited license to practice medicine to a graduate of a qualified foreign medical school who: (1) holds a valid and unrestricted license to practice medicine issued by a foreign country other than Canada; (2) has completed a residency program or has performed the duties of a physician in that foreign country within a certain amount of time before applying for the license; and (3) possesses certain other qualifications related to the practice of medicine. Section 1 requires that the holder of a limited license only practice medicine in a facility that has a residency program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Section 1 requires the Board of Medical Examiners to issue an unrestricted license to the holder of a limited license who: (1) has completed at least 2 years of practice as a full-time physician under the limited license; and (2) remains in good standing. Section 2 of this bill makes a conforming change to clarify that an applicant for a limited license to practice medicine pursuant to section 1 is not required to possess the same qualifications as an applicant for a standard license. Sections 3-6 of this bill update references to certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates in existing law to reflect the current practices of the Commission.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 630.160, 630.195, 630.265, 630A.270, 630A.320
BDR: 630.160, 630.195, 630.265, 630A.270, 630A.320