TITLE: Relating to the issuance of a license in this state to certain physicians licensed outside of this state.

SUMMARY: Relating to the issuance of a license in this state to certain physicians licensed outside of this state.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the issuance of a license in this state to certain physicians licensed outside of this state. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to improve health care in this state by encouraging physicians to relocate to this state and by providing for the expedited licensing of those physicians. SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 155, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 155.010 to read as follows: Sec. 155.010. LICENSING OF PHYSICIANS WITH CERTAIN SPECIALTIES; RECIPROCITY. (a) This section applies only to an applicant who is a physician licensed in a jurisdiction other than this state and who holds a specialty certification recognized by the board in one of the following areas: (1) primary care; (2) psychiatry; (3) family practice; (4) internal medicine; (5) pediatrics; or (6) obstetrics and gynecology. (b) The board shall issue a license to an applicant described by Subsection (a) who the board determines holds a license issued by another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements substantially equivalent to or more stringent than the requirements of this state. (c) The board shall issue a license to an applicant who holds a license issued by a jurisdiction with which this state has a reciprocity agreement. The board shall enter into an agreement with another jurisdiction for the issuance of licenses by reciprocity to applicants described by Subsection (a) if the other jurisdiction has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to or more stringent than the requirements of this state. SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only to an applicant for a physician license who submits an application on or after January 1, 2016. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.