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Bill

HB 1306

Establishing preceptorship and hardship pathways to medical practice for international medical graduates.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Liz Berry and 16 co-sponsors

HB 1306 creates preceptorship and hardship exemption pathways allowing international medical graduates to practice in Washington without completing standard residency requirements.

First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness.
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Bill Summary · HB 1306

Legislative bill overview

HB 1306 creates alternative pathways for international medical graduates (IMGs) to practice medicine in Washington state through preceptorship and hardship exemption programs. Rather than requiring completion of all standard residency requirements, the bill allows qualified IMGs to practice under supervision or gain exemptions based on demonstrated need in underserved areas.

Why is this important

Washington faces significant physician shortages, particularly in rural and underserved communities. This bill could expand access to medical care in areas struggling to attract traditionally-trained physicians while potentially addressing workforce gaps more quickly than conventional training pathways. It directly impacts healthcare access for vulnerable populations and workforce economics in the medical field.

Potential points of contention

  • Patient safety concerns: Critics may argue that bypassing standard residency requirements could compromise quality of care, even with preceptorship oversight, since residencies provide extensive supervised clinical training beyond what preceptorship offers
  • Professional standards and credentialing: Medical licensing boards and established medical organizations may resist modifications to credentialing standards, citing concerns about maintaining consistent quality benchmarks across practitioners
  • Equity and fairness questions: The bill raises questions about differential treatment—whether exemptions fairly balance workforce needs against standardized training requirements, and whether this could undermine the purpose of residency training for all physicians

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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