Wisconsin Legislative Council
ACT MEMO
One Ea st Ma in Stre e t, Suite 401 • Ma dison, W I 53703 • (608) 266-1304 • le g.council@le gis.wisconsin.gov • http://www.le gis.wisconsin.gov/lc
Prepared by: Kelly McGraw, Staff Attorney April 12, 2024
2023 Wisconsin Act 214
[2023 Assembly Bill 954]
Provisional Licenses for
International Physicians
BACKGROUND
Generally, no person may practice medicine and surgery, or attempt to do so or make a representation
as authorized to do so, without a license to practice medicine and surgery granted by the Medical
Examining Board. An applicant for a license to practice medicine and surgery who is a graduate of a
foreign medical college must meet certain requirements. The board may promulgate rules specifying
circumstances in which the board, in cases of hardship or in cases in which the applicant possesses a
medical license issued by another jurisdiction, may grant a waiver from any requirement.
2023 WISCONSIN ACT 214
2023 Wisconsin Act 214 creates a provisional license to practice medicine and surgery for
internationally trained physicians. The board may grant a provisional license to practice medicine and
surgery for international physicians to an applicant who satisfies the requirements in the act. A
provisional license is separate from preexisting license options for a graduate of a foreign medical
college and or in cases of hardship.
The holder of a provisional license may practice medicine and surgery only under the supervision of
certain licensed physicians. A provisional license to practice medicine and surgery converts into a
license to practice medicine and surgery after the provisional license holder practices medicine and
surgery full-time in Wisconsin and maintains good standing for three consecutive years.
Applicant Requirements
An applicant for a provisional license to practice medicine and surgery for international physicians
must supply evidence to the board that the applicant satisfies all of the following:
The applicant has an offer for full-time employment as a physician in this state from a federally
qualified health center, a community health center, a hospital, an ambulatory surgical center, or any
other health care facility approved by the board.
The applicant has been granted a medical doctorate or a substantially similar degree by an
international medical program.
The applicant has completed a residency program or a postgraduate medical training program that
is substantially similar to a residency program.
The applicant has practiced as a fully licensed or otherwise authorized physician in his or her
country of practice for at least five years after completing a residency program or a postgraduate
medical training program that is substantially similar to a residency program. - 2 -
The applicant has practiced continuously as a physician in his or her country of practice for at least
one out of the five years immediately preceding the date that the applicant submits an application
for a provisional license.
The applicant has been in good standing with the medical licensing or regulatory agency of his or
her country of practice for the five years preceding the individual’s application and does not have
any pending disciplinary action before the medical licensing or regulatory agency.
The applicant has obtained certification by the Educational Council for Foreign Medical Graduates
or another evaluation entity approved by the board.
The applicant has passed all steps of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination administered by the
National Board of Medical Examiners and the Federation of State Medical Boards.
The applicant has, or will have prior to working as a physician in this state, a federal immigration
status and employment authorization that enables the applicant to work as a physician in this state.
The applicant possesses basic fluency in the English language.
Provisional License Holder Requirements
Additionally, every six months or upon request of the board, the holder of a provisional license must
submit to the board a statement certifying whether the license holder is still employed as a physician in
Wisconsin and whether the license holder has been subjected to professional discipline as a result of the
license holder’s practice. If the license holder has been subject to professional discipline, the license
holder must submit to the board a description of the circumstances of the discipline.
The board may suspend or revoke a provisional license if a majority of the board determines that the
holder of the license is no longer employed as a physician in Wisconsin by an employer described in the
act. The holder of the license must be granted an opportunity to be heard prior to the board’s
determination.
Effective date: January 1, 2025
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
KAM:ksm