15.     IMG Physicians Can Receive Special License to Work at Children’s Research Hospital

A recent bill unanimously passed by the Tennessee legislature will allow foreign-trained physicians to work at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital without having completed a U.S. residency program.  The bill allows foreign physicians to be licensed to work at St. Jude only.

The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Global Collaboration License can be issued by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners to physicians who meet all qualifications for licensure other than a U.S. residency program approved by the American Medical Association.  This license is non-transferable; if the physician is no longer employed by St. Jude, the license is void.

According to St. Jude, the hospital sought this legislation in order to lower restrictions it has faced in recruiting physicians from outside the United States.  St. Jude routinely recruits physicians from around the world who have an expertise needed by the hospital.  The purpose of the bill is not to find minimally trained physicians who can now have an easier time working in the U.S., but to find world medical experts who can maintain St. Jude’s reputation of providing the best medical care for children.

Note that the new law does not affect the requirements for a US visa which, in the case of an H-1B visa, requires passage of all three parts of USMLE 3.