MMA Board of Trustees Discusses IMG Licensure Legislation

February 29, 2024

Sen. Alice Mann, MD, (DFL-Edina), has introduced SF 3611/ HF 3891 to provide a path to licensure for the hundreds of international medical graduates (IMGs) who have been unable to obtain a Minnesota medical license.  

Among the requirements currently in Minnesota law, an IMG is required to have completed at least one year of graduate clinical medical training at an ACGME-approved program, which is most often fulfilled through completing a U.S. residency. Many IMGs are unable to be accepted into a U.S. residency program, making it impossible to obtain a Minnesota medical license. This is regardless of how long they’ve been practicing as a physician in another country. 

Mann’s legislation would create a limited license for specific IMGs who have “performed the duties of a physician” in another country for at least five years. Individuals would only be allowed to apply for a limited license if they have an employment offer from a clinic or hospital. The limited license would allow IMGs who have not completed a U.S. residency to practice in a rural or underserved urban area “within the context of a collaborative agreement within a hospital or clinical setting” for two years. After two years, the limited license holder would be granted a full, unrestricted Minnesota medical license.   

The MMA’s Board of Trustees (BOT) reviewed and discussed the legislation at its February 28 board meeting. All board members agreed that the MMA must continue to look for avenues for highly trained and qualified IMGs to be brought into the Minnesota healthcare workforce. However, there were concerns raised about an unrestricted license, the challenge of assessing competency in training and experience without a residency requirement. Concerns were also raised about the inability of these limited license holders to obtain liability insurance, be credentialed, or become employed, due to the inability to become board certified without completing a residency program. 

The MMA Board agreed to continue to monitor the proposal and provide additional input to Sen. Mann in coordination with the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.