                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

TEMPORARY LICENSURE OF CERTAIN FOREIGN GRADUATES (§ 54.1-2933.1)

A. The Board may issue to a physician licensed in a foreign country a
nonrenewable license valid for a period not to exceed two years to practice
medicine while such physician is attending advanced training in an institute for
postgraduate health science operated collaboratively by a health care system
having hospitals and health care facilities with residency and training programs
approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the Board and a public
institution of higher education. This temporary license shall only authorize the
holder to practice medicine in the hospitals and outpatient clinics of the
collaborating health care system while he is receiving training in the institute
for postgraduate health science.

B. The Board may issue to a physician previously licensed or otherwise
authorized to practice in a foreign country a provisional license to practice
medicine valid for a period not to exceed two years to an applicant if the
applicant submits evidence acceptable to the Board that the applicant:

   1. Has received a degree of doctor of medicine or its equivalent from a
   legally chartered medical school outside of the United States recognized by
   the World Health Organization, has been licensed or otherwise authorized to
   practice medicine in a country other than the United States, and has practiced
   medicine for at least five years;

   2. Has a valid certificate issued by the Educational Commission for Foreign
   Medical Graduates or other credential evaluation service approved by the
   Board, provided, however, that the Board may waive such certification at its
   discretion where the applicant is unable to obtain the required documentation
   from a noncooperative country;

   3. Has achieved a passing score on both Step 1 and Step 2 (Clinical Knowledge)
   of the United States Medical Licensing Examination;

   4. Has entered into an agreement with a medical care facility as defined in
   &#xA7; 32.1-3 that provides an assessment and evaluation program designed to
   develop, assess, and evaluate the physician&#8217;s nonclinical skills and
   familiarity with standards appropriate for medical practice in the
   Commonwealth according to criteria developed or approved by the Board;

   5. Will enter a full-time employment relationship with such medical care
   facility after the Board issues a license pursuant to this subsection; and

   6. Has satisfied any other criteria that the Board may require for issuance of
   a provisional license pursuant to this subsection.

C. An individual who successfully obtains a license pursuant to subsection B and
practices under such license until its expiration shall be eligible to apply for
a renewable two-year restricted license to practice medicine in a medically
underserved area in Virginia as defined in § 32.1-122.5 or a health
professional shortage area designated in accordance with the criteria
established in 42 C.F.R. Part 5. The Board may issue such renewable license to
an applicant if the applicant submits evidence acceptable to the Board that the
applicant:

   1. Has successfully completed the participating medical care facility&#8217;s
   assessment and evaluation program required pursuant to subsection B;

   2. Has achieved a passing score on Step 3 of the United States Medical
   Licensing Examination; and

   3. Will enter a full-time employment relationship with a medical care
   facility.

D. After at least two years of practice under a renewable two-year restricted
license issued pursuant to subsection C, an internationally trained physician
shall be eligible to apply for a full, unrestricted license to practice
medicine.

E. The Board may promulgate regulations for licenses issued pursuant to this
section.

HISTORY: 1995, c. 230; 2000, c. 788; 2024, c. 464.