SB 489 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Health Occupations - Physicians Trained in Foreign Countries - Exemption From Educational Requirements and Limited License

SB 489 modifies Maryland's licensing rules for physicians trained at international medical schools. It exempts applicants who provide evidence of completing two years of postgraduate training accredited by ACGME-I or another board-recognized body from standard educational requirements. These physicians would be permitted to practice medicine only during their initial license term under mandatory supervision, as specified by the Board. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, directly affecting international medical graduates meeting these specific training criteria.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Apr 2026

Governor

Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Last action Apr 13, 2026

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What changed between versions

First - Health Occupations - Physicians Trained in International Medical Schools → Third - Health Occupations - Physicians Trained in Foreign Countries - Exemption From Educational Requirements and Limited License · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was expanded to include physicians trained in foreign countries by creating a new limited license category and adding a 'fifth pathway' for US citizens who studied abroad. It also updated the exemption criteria for international graduates, requiring certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates and a qualifying examination, while retaining the option for postgraduate training. The bill now repeals and reenacts multiple existing sections to integrate these new provisions into the state's health code.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from only physicians trained in international medical schools to include those trained in foreign countries, introducing a new limited license type.

ELIGIBILITY

Created a new 'limited license' for physicians trained and licensed in foreign countries under specific circumstances.

Updated exemption criteria for international graduates to require certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates and passing a qualifying examination.

REQUIREMENT

Established a 'fifth pathway program' allowing US citizens who studied medicine abroad to qualify for a license by completing a Board-approved postgraduate program.

Changed the repeal and reenactment instructions to include new sections (14-101) and additional existing sections (14-308, 14-314) to accommodate the new provisions.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'License' to explicitly include the newly created limited license.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 7, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 30, 2026

How they voted

45–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 49

Mar 7, 2026

D Democratic36

33 Yea 3

91% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed with Amendments

lower

Apr 13, 2026

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Health

lower

Mar 30, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (129-9-4)

house of delegates

Mar 24, 2026

Committee

Referred Health

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

upper

Mar 7, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (45-0-4)

senate

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

First Reading Finance

upper

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors