I think they mean not all residency programs are set up supervise FMGs for the required 2 years.
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I do not find how to apply for it so far. I think some programs might not set up the spots for this process. How to choose candidates? score matter? Does clinical experience matters? what is the most important experience in our package? Lots of people will apply for it once open the gate.
These are questions you will need to ask the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners
Please contact them directly with any questions you have about the process.
The Medical Board first has to determine IF you are eligible for the medical licensing process and what documentation they require to consider your eligibility.
Once the process has been established, residency positions will be announced on FRIEDA and other official venues. Until the Medical Board establishes a process for FMGs to apply for medical licenses, no residency programs are going to open.
I do not know if applicants will be required to apply through the National Residency Match Program.
Each residency program will determine what factors they consider important when reviewing applicants for their program. (The same is true for US med grads applying for residency. Every programs has its own values and requirements.)
P.S. Also you need to understand that the purpose of this program is to provide family medicine physicians/general internists/general practitioners for rural areas.
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Some clarifications
The new law will go into effect starting July 1, 2024
If you have completed residency outside the United States and would like to get a license to practice medicine in the state of Tennessee, you need the following:
- Have completed a three-year post-graduate training program (residency or fellowship training in their home country) or have practiced for at least three out of the last five years outside the United States.
- Evidence of being an international graduate
- A job offer from a healthcare provider in Tennessee that runs an ACGME-accredited post-graduate training program (residency or fellowship program).
- The boardâs assessment of demonstrated âcompetencyâ.
- ECFMG Certification: You must have your ECFMG certification to be able to practice in Tennessee.
Additionally, FMG must have passed their USMLE Step 1 and Step CK exams and obtained a ECFMG certification.
Successful applicants will be granted a 2 year provisional medical license that only allows medical practice at healthcare providers running an ACGME-accredited residency program
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So the law basically requires foreign doctors to be in a pseudo residency program to qualify for and obtain a permanent license to practice?
Yes. But as I understand it, they donât need to actually work in the same hospital as the residency program. They may be working in a satellite clinic, but still nominally supervised like a NP or PA would be.
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I agree 100% with @parentologiest.
Why donât they open more medical schools in TN and reduce the cost of education?
That would require the state to spend money to subsidize more expensive medical school education, instead of taking medical school graduates who have completed the expensive medical school education elsewhere.
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hello. will only need approval on Step 1 and Step 2 CK? wonât it be necessary to approve in Step 2 CS or Step 3?
Please contact the Tennessee State Board of Medical Examiners for answers to any questions you may have about this new pathway for foreign medical graduates.
Address: Tennessee State Board of Medical Examiners
665 Mainstream Drive
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 532-3202
Every state/territory in the US requires passing STEP 3 for full licensure.
The new law requires all applicants to obtain ECFMG certification in order to be eligible. ECFMG certification requires a passing score on STEP 2 CS or following a specific alternative pathway that demonstrates both proof of basic clinical skills and English language proficiency.
See https://www.ecfmg.org/resources/CertificationFactSheet.pdf