Panel supports IMG clinical‑experience pilot to fast‑track certain international medical graduates

Committee staff explained Substitute Senate Bill 5,185 would create a clinical experience graduate pilot program for international medical graduates (IMGs) with specified eligibility requirements (limited clinical experience license issued before 07/01/2026, two years of supervised practice, satisfactory assessments, physician attestation and an endorsed practice-site medical director). The pilot expires on June 30, 2035, and requires annual reporting to the legislature on practice patterns and disciplinary actions.

Mohammed Khalif of the International Medical Graduates Academy described the bill as the culmination of roughly a decade of work, noting 40–50 physicians currently hold clinical experience licenses and that the pilot would allow them to "graduate to full licensure" more efficiently. Micah Matthews of the Washington Medical Commission said the WMC already has roughly 50 such licensed clinicians in practice with only two complaints investigated and found without merit, and that the commission views the pilot as a way to collect data and monitor quality as the program scales.

Alex Whithanger of the Washington State Medical Association supported the substitute language as a negotiated product that balances reducing barriers for IMGs and maintaining quality oversight. Witnesses indicated they had technical amendments forthcoming and that the bill reflects multi‑year stakeholder work.

No formal committee vote occurred on SSB 5,185 at this hearing; public testimony concluded and the item was dismissed.