Virginia Law

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 § 32.1-3 that provides an assessment and evaluation program designed to develop, assess, and evaluate the physician'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'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.

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