H.B. No. 2038, known as the Decreasing Occupational Certification Timelines, Obstacles, and Regulations (DOCTOR) Act, aims to facilitate the process for foreign medical license holders to obtain provisional licenses to practice medicine in Texas. The bill introduces a new section, 155.1015, allowing the Texas Medical Board to issue provisional licenses to applicants who meet specific criteria, such as holding a medical degree, being licensed in good standing in another country, completing residency training, passing the Texas medical jurisprudence examination, and securing employment in a Texas healthcare setting. The provisional license is valid for two years and can be renewed if the licensee passes required examinations and holds a valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates.

Additionally, the bill establishes a new subchapter, E, under Chapter 155 of the Occupations Code, which regulates "physician graduates." It outlines the process for issuing limited licenses to practice medicine under a supervising agreement with a sponsoring physician, including qualifications for both parties. The bill specifies that physician graduates can only practice in counties with populations under 100,000 and must disclose their status and lack of formal specialized training before providing medical services. It also mandates that physician graduates display identification indicating their status and allows them to use titles such as "doctor" or "Dr." The Texas Medical Board is required to adopt necessary rules by January 1, 2026, to implement these changes, with the act set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Insurance Code 1451.001, Subchapter C, Chapter , Insurance Code 155.201 (Subchapter C, Chapter , Insurance Code 155, Insurance Code 1451)
House Committee Report: Insurance Code 1451.001, Subchapter C, Chapter , Insurance Code 155.201 (Subchapter C, Chapter , Insurance Code 155, Insurance Code 1451)
Engrossed: Insurance Code 1451.001, Subchapter C, Chapter , Insurance Code 155.201 (Subchapter C, Chapter , Insurance Code 155, Insurance Code 1451)
Senate Committee Report: Insurance Code 1451.001, Subchapter C, Chapter , Insurance Code 155.201 (Subchapter C, Chapter , Insurance Code 155, Insurance Code 1451)
Enrolled: Insurance Code 1451.001, Subchapter C, Chapter , Insurance Code 155.201 (Subchapter C, Chapter , Insurance Code 155, Insurance Code 1451)