Committee advances HB127 to expedite licensure and create telehealth registry for out‑of‑state providers

House Bill 127 would create three changes to medical licensure in New Mexico: a provisional-license pathway for internationally trained physicians who graduated from recognized schools, have at least two years' practice, hold an ECFMG certificate (passing Step 1 and Step 2 exams) and a qualifying in-state job offer; an update from a telemedicine license to a lower-fee telehealth registry for out-of-state providers; and a change from "may" to "shall" for expedited licensure provisions.

Sponsors said the provisional pathway is intended to allow internationally trained physicians to practice under supervision in facilities that provide training to residents without requiring the foreign-trained physician to repeat an entire residency. The sponsor described the path as "a provisional license for 2 years" followed by evaluation and possible restricted licensure for another two years before full licensure, with checks including job placement and supervision at a teaching or training site.

Members praised the bill as a practical way to address provider shortages and asked detailed questions about who determines "underserved" areas and the role of teaching hospitals in supervision. The sponsor said the Department of Health (DOH) will determine underserved areas and indicated the bill references existing federal HRSA criteria and health-professional-shortage-area designations to do so.

The committee moved a due pass on the bill and recorded an 11–0 vote to advance it.