Internationally trained medical graduates in Washington state have the opportunity to get their medical licenses within two years, with an opportunity for renewal, under a new program, according to an Oct. 11 Time report.
Participants can forgo residencies but must meet certain other requirements, including English proficiency, passing the USMLE, and working under the supervision of a fully-licensed physician.
Gov. Jay Inslee signed a law in May granting the expedited processes for international graduates.
The Washington Health Commission told Time 40 internationally trained physicians are set to apply in October.
The Time report said the program is the largest-scale permanent program to allow foreign doctors to work statewide, but six other states have issued emergency executive orders to allow internationally trained doctors to work amid staffing shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.