Global Doctors, Texas Bound 🌍🏥

A new law starting in September will let seasoned foreign-trained doctors start practicing sooner in Texas, helping ease shortages and bring more care to communities in need.

August 18, 2025

Texas Opens a Fast-Track for Foreign Physicians 🌎

Starting September, Texas’ Doctor Act creates provisional licenses for experienced internationally trained physicians without U.S. residency and adds a pathway for physician graduates.

Key Points

  • Texas will become the 13th state offering an alternative licensure pathway in September under the Doctor Act.

  • HB 2038 lets foreign-trained physicians with 5+ years of practice apply for a provisional license without U.S. residency.

  • Signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in June, the law takes effect in September; the Texas Medical Board expects more providers and will track applications.

  • As of August 2025, FSMB reports 18 states with some form of full licensure without accredited postgraduate training, 16 with pending or proposed bills, and at least three with limited-licensure pathways; McKinsey projects a shortage of 64,000 physicians by end of 2024 and 86,000 by 2036.

Why It Matters

Texas could expand provider supply quickly by tapping seasoned internationally trained physicians, easing pressure on underserved regions and hospital staffing. Other states may mirror the model as shortages deepen, accelerating cross-border talent pipelines and reshaping residency-dependent hiring.

Takeaway

Plan recruitment pipelines that include internationally trained physicians eligible under the Doctor Act and prepare onboarding, supervision, and credentialing workflows for provisional licenses.

📢 Here’s a recap of our last issue!

💊 Saline Shortage Over, Ransomware Rings Busted, and FDA Speeds Up U.S. Drug Plants

From IV bags finally flowing to cybercriminals losing their lunch money to the FDA putting U.S. drug manufacturing on the fast track, plus a $145M reality check for shady health plan marketers. It’s been a week.

pasha.healthcare/p/saline-shortage-over-ransomware-rings-busted-and-fda-speeds-up-u-s-drug-plants-f70b