Eligible internationally trained doctors can get Tennessee training licenses in 2027

Tennessee’s Board of Medical Examiners must issue a training license to doctors who meet the requirements, unless it finds a disqualification. Applicants must be internationally trained doctors with a clinical job offer from an eligible employer operating in Tennessee. Applicants must pass the examination referenced in the law, hold a medical degree accepted by the board, and provide a permanent credential called an ECFMG certificate. They must complete at least three years of postgraduate training in a country approved by their training country or one year of postgraduate training in the United States. They must have been in good standing with their training country’s medical regulator within the last five years and have no pending disciplinary actions. They must be U.S. citizens, meet the law’s definition of a qualified noncitizen, or have applied to live or work in the United States. They must also show good character and pay a nonrefundable $300 application fee. These licensing provisions take effect January 31, 2027.

Tennessee’s medical board may identify eligible employer types and set supervision standards. It must define additional employer types based on their training and supervision resources. The work limits apply to internationally trained doctors throughout their training license. Eligible employers must include federally qualified health centers and rural and community health clinics. They must also include employers with accredited postgraduate training programs and supervising doctors approved as employers by the board. The listed health centers, clinics, and training-program employers must have an onsite supervisor. Supervisors must hold an active medical license without restrictions, practice the same specialty, and be board certified in that specialty. Doctors must notify the board when changing to another eligible employer. The employer and supervision provisions take effect January 31, 2027.

Tennessee’s medical board must grant an unrestricted medical license to training-license holders who meet the requirements, unless it finds a disqualification. This route covers internationally trained doctors licensed through the training-license pathway. Doctors must be in good standing, show that they can practice competently, and pass Steps 1, 2, and 3 of the USMLE medical licensing exam. The two years of active Tennessee practice must occur after the doctor receives a training license.