The Advisory Commission on Additional Licensing Models, co-chaired by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), Intealth™, and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), has issued a guidance document following a period of public comment on its draft preliminary recommendations. The public comment period, which began in October 2024 and closed in December 2024, garnered valuable input from more than 150 individuals and organizations, helping to shape the Commission’s recommendations.
The Commission’s guidance, which is designed to inform state medical boards, state legislators, and other stakeholders, offers a framework for developing and implementing additional licensing pathways for international medical graduates (IMGs). These pathways are part of efforts to address physician shortages in the United States, particularly in medically underserved areas and specialties, while ensuring patient safety. IMGs are already playing a crucial role in providing high-quality health care across the country, especially in areas with critical shortages.
The guidance document includes nine key recommendations that focus on eligibility requirements for IMGs seeking licensure through these additional pathways. These recommendations, developed based on public feedback, aim to balance improving access to health care with maintaining high standards for medical practice.
The full guidance document and recommendations can be accessed on the FSMB website here.
Additionally, a joint press release from the parent organizations of FSMB, Intealth, and ACGME is available here.
Looking ahead, the Commission is expected to release additional recommendations in mid-2025. These will address critical areas such as the transition from provisional to full licensure and criteria for assessing physicians entering new licensure pathways.
Categories: IMGs in U.S., Press Releases