WES Report
Opening Pathways to Practice for Internationally Trained Physicians: State Policy Options
Last updated June 15, 2022

About the report:

Internationally trained physicians, or IMGs, often face significant barriers to health care workforce reentry in the United States due to systemic barriers to licensure. Some states have taken steps to address such barriers. This brief provides an overview of state policy models to open pathways to licensure.

Models include:

  • State-funded residencies
  • Residency preparation programs
  • Faculty licensing, exceptional qualification waivers, and restricted physician licensure
  • State-funded residency and clinical career readiness programs
  • Inter-governmental and cross-sector work groups or commissions

These existing state policy models can guide policymakers and advocates in building a more inclusive health care workforce in their state.


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