Until recently, every state required physicians from abroad to complete a residency program in the U.S. before obtaining a full medical license.

Apparently there is a doctor shortage and some states are dropping this requirement for some doctors with international training.

About 26% of doctors who practice in the U.S. were born elsewhere, according to the Migration Policy Institute. They need federal visas to live in the U.S., plus state licenses to practice medicine.

Proponents of the new laws say qualified doctors shouldn’t have to spend years completing a second residency training. Opponents worry about patient safety and doubt the licensing change will ease the doctor shortage.

“It’s a really poor answer to the doctor shortage,” said Barbara Parker [registered nurse and former Republican lawmaker in Arizona], who voted against the legislation last year.

“This is driven by corporate greed,” she said.

In April 2023, Tennessee, through SB 1451 that aimed to mitigate the state’s physician shortage, drastically reduced these barriers and became the first state in the nation to allow IMGs who are licensed in another country to be provisionally licensed and practice in the U.S. without requiring completion of a U.S.-based residency. Applicants must be certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), pass US licensing exams (USMLE Step 1 and Step 2), and have completed at least a three-year residency program at an accredited international program. They must then practice under the supervision of a Tennessee-licensed physician for two years before receiving an unrestricted license.

You can look up your physician in the State of Tennessee Dept of Health License Verification website. I usually only enter the first name, last name, state and Medical Doctor for profession.

I can't say I like this trend.