HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1379
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to health.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Section 453-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

"(b) Before any applicant shall be eligible for licensure, the applicant shall furnish proof satisfactory to the board that:

(1) The applicant is of demonstrated competence and professional knowledge; and

(2) The applicant is a graduate of:

(A) A medical school or college whose program leading to the M.D. degree is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education or whose program leading to the D.O. degree is approved by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, and has served a residency of at least one year in a program that has been accredited for the training of resident physicians or osteopathic physicians by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association, respectively, or a residency of at least one year in a program in Canada that has been accredited for the training of resident physicians by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or the College of Family Physicians of Canada; or

(B) A foreign medical school and has had at least two years of residency in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association, or has had at least two years of residency in a program in Canada that has been accredited for the training of resident physicians by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or by the College of Family Physicians of Canada; and:

(i) Holds the national certificate of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, or its successor, or for applicants with residency training in Canada, has passed with scores deemed satisfactory by the board, the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination, or its successor; or

(ii) Holds the certificate of the Fifth Pathway Program of the American Medical Association;

provided that for a period of two years after June 26, 2004, the requirements of subsection (b)(2)(B)(i) and (ii) shall not apply to any applicant who has had four years of residency in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association and who has passed, with scores deemed satisfactory by the board, the Special Purpose Examination (SPEX)[.]; provided further that the requirement that an applicant complete at least two years of residency in an accredited program shall not apply to any applicant who has had at least one year of fellowship training in a program whose parent program or hospital is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association, or who has had at least one year of fellowship training in Canada in a program whose parent program or hospital is accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or by the College of Family Physicians of Canada; provided further that the board may waive the residency requirement under this subparagraph for an applicant who is a graduate from a foreign medical school who has passed, with scores deemed satisfactory by the board, the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and who provides services in a specialty that no other physician licensed in the State provides."

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Medical Students; Licensure; Waiver; International Medical Graduates; Exemptions

Description:

Exempts graduates from international medical schools from the residency requirements for medical licensure if the applicant has had at least one year of fellowship training in a program whose parent program or hospital is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, American Osteopathic Association, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or College of Family Physicians of Canada. Authorizes the board to waive the residency requirements if the applicant has graduated from a foreign medical school, passed the USMLE, and practices in a specialty that no other licensed physician in the State practices in.

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