Summary
Part II of SL 2025-37 sets up a pathway to licensure for individuals who have obtained medical education and post graduate training outside the United States. This license is only available to applicants who have been offered full-time employment at an NC licensed hospital or a medical practice in certain rural counties where an NC licensed physician is physically practicing on-site. The applicant will also need to provide information to the Board, including proof of licensure in good standing from another country within the last five years, 130 weeks of medical education from certain designated schools, two years of postgraduate training or active practice for at least 10 years, and at least five years of experience practicing medicine. Additionally, applicants must be eligible for ECFMG certification, which requires passing Step 1 and Step 2 of the USMLE. Applicants must also demonstrate competency, which may be done by various means including passing Step 3 of the USMLE, providing proof of board certification, or passing an examination that is considered comparable to the USMLE and recognized by certain established international regulatory medical boards. The applicant must also have no disciplinary actions or pending investigations in any jurisdiction, no criminal convictions, and be legally authorized to work in the United States.
The scope of this license is limited to practicing at NC licensed hospitals or rural medical practice where an NC licensed physician is physically present. After four years of licensure, the international physician license holder is eligible to apply for a full license.
Additional information will be provided closer to the effective date in January 2026.
Resources and References
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
World Federation for Medical Education
List of hospitals licensed in North Carolina
List of Rural Counties as defined in Session Law 2025-37/HB 67
FAQs
For more information, please visit our ITPE FAQs here.