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HB 3352

Modifies provisions relating to physician licensure

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Melanie Stinnett

Missouri HB 3352 creates expanded, time-limited licensure pathways (temporary and transitional) for physicians tied to state medical schools or hospitals, with waivers toward perma

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
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Bill Summary · HB 3352

Overview

Missouri House Bill 3352 (2026) proposes changes to physician licensure by repealing current Section 334.046 and enacting two new sections (334.046 and 334.048). The bill expands pathways for temporary, transitional, and potentially permanent licensure for physicians connected to accredited Missouri medical schools or hospitals, including provisions for international medical graduates and previously licensed physicians whose licenses have lapsed.

Main purpose and intent

  • Create expanded, structured licensure pathways to facilitate physician involvement in academic settings (teaching, lecturing, and patient care) and to reduce barriers for physicians returning to practice or transitioning from foreign training.
  • Allow Missouri-placed medical schools and sponsoring hospitals to sponsor physicians through temporary and transitional licenses with defined time limits and eligibility criteria.
  • Provide a mechanism for waivers to convert temporary or transitional licenses into permanent licenses under controlled conditions, including verification of foreign or out-of-state licensure and examination requirements.

Key provisions and changes

334.046 (new)

  1. Temporary license for teaching and patient care in Missouri-accredited medical school programs or accredited hospitals

    • Duration: up to 12 months, automatically terminates.
    • Eligibility: must meet permanent licensure requirements, with possible recognition of credentials from other states or foreign countries.
    • Prohibition: not allowed for locum tenens or itinerant practice.

  2. Graduate medical/osteopathic education participation

    • Interns or residents enrolled and licensed in a contiguous-state program may act as interns/residents in Missouri if part of the recognized educational experience.

  3. Waiver to permanent licensure (334.046(3)-(7))

    • Board may waive sections 334.035 and 334.040 (not 334.031) to grant a permanent license to someone holding a temporary license for at least 12 months and meeting board-imposed conditions.
    • Permanent licensure requires evidence of licensure in another U.S. state/territory, D.C., or foreign country with equivalent authority to practice.
    • May require passing the federation portion of the SPEX.
    • License may be limited or restricted to the applicant’s board specialty.
    • Disqualifications: cannot grant a waiver to applicants who failed to achieve a passing score after three attempts on licensing exams in any jurisdiction.
    • Discretionary by board; denials are not appealable to AHC or circuit court.

334.048 (new)

  1. Transitional license for physicians sponsored by an accredited Missouri medical school

    • Eligibility categories:
      • (1) Previously licensed in Missouri or another state, practicing at least two years, in good standing, license lapsed no more than 10 years, no disciplinary actions.
      • (2) Foreign-trained physicians with at least two years of practice abroad, ECFMG-certified, and at least three years of postgraduate training in a country with requirements similar or stricter than Missouri’s; sponsorship verification required.
    • Duration: up to three years, automatically terminates.
    • Eligibility: must meet all permanent licensure requirements, with potential waivers; must not be for locum tenens.

  2. Waiver to permanent licensure (334.048(3)-(7))

    • Board may waive sections 334.035 and 334.040 (not 334.031) to grant a permanent license after three years of transitional status, three years of employment with the sponsor, and compliance with board rules.
    • Requires evidence of licensure in another jurisdiction as appropriate.
    • May require passing the SPEX.
    • Waiver may be limited to the physician’s specialty.
    • Disqualification: no waiver for those who failed to pass licensing exams three times in any jurisdiction.
    • Discretionary by board; denials not appealable.

  3. Additional provisions

    • Similar to the temporary license process, with waivers subject to board discretion.

Who would be affected

  • Physicians seeking to teach, lecture, or provide patient care in Missouri medical schools or affiliated hospitals under temporary or transitional licenses.
  • Interns and residents enrolled in graduate medical education programs in contiguous states.
  • Physicians with previously lapsed licenses in Missouri or other U.S. jurisdictions, and foreign-trained physicians who meet specified training and certification criteria.
  • Sponsoring accredited Missouri medical schools and their affiliated hospitals or programs.

Key procedural and timeline aspects

  • Temporary license: up to 12 months, non-renewable beyond the term.
  • Transitional license: up to 3 years, automatically terminates if not converted.
  • Waiver-to-permanent license: requires minimum time thresholds (12 months for temporary, 3 years for transitional), sponsor employment duration, and compliance with board rules; SPEX may be required.
  • Appeals: waivers and discretionary decisions by the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts are not appealable to the Administrative Hearing Commission or circuit court.
  • No locum tenens authorization under either pathway.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • May streamline and accelerate re-entry of physicians with non-continuous licensure, foreign-trained physicians, or those returning from lapse periods into Missouri academic medical environments.
  • Creates structured, time-limited pathways with clear eligibility, examination, and sponsor requirements, balancing access to physician talent with licensure integrity.
  • Could affect workforce dynamics in Missouri medical schools and teaching hospitals by expanding the pool of eligible teaching/clinical physicians.
  • Requires ongoing regulatory rules to specify detailed criteria, fees, and administrative processes for waivers and examinations.

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

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