Amends and adds to existing law to provide for assistant physicians and to provide for general practice licensure under certain circumstances.

This legislation expands Idaho’s bridge physician licensure program by creating a direct pathway for bridge physicians to become a licensed general practitioner without entering a residency program. This is designed to alleviate the physician shortage by allowing smaller healthcare providers to train the physician workforce where they are needed. This legislation renames bridge physicians as “assistant physicians.” After completing a minimum of three years as an assistant physician and successfully passing the final step of the United States Medical Licensing Examination, a candidate may apply for an unrestricted license to practice as a general practitioner.