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

This Idaho bill (H 77) creates two new licensure pathways for assistant physicians. First, it establishes a limited "bridge year" license for doctors who didn’t secure residency spots (within 1 year of graduation), allowing supervised practice under specific conditions. Second, it allows assistant physicians to become general practitioners after completing 36 months of collaborative practice, passing Step 3 of the medical exam, and meeting annual CME requirements. The bill directly affects assistant physicians seeking licensure and requires the state board to report on its impact in health shortage areas by 2033. It takes effect July 1, 2025, to address physician workforce needs.