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HB 2251

Requiring the state board of healing arts to grant provisional licensure to certain international physicians with offers of employment at healthcare providers operating in Kansas.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas creates a provisional medical license for international physicians with employer sponsorship, converting to full licensure after three years of practice to expand access.

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Bill Summary · HB 2251

Summary — HB 2251 (Expanding Physician Access Act of 2025) — Kansas

Note: The source materials included other, unrelated bills from other states that share the HB 2251 number. This summary focuses on the Kansas bill titled the Expanding Physician Access Act of 2025 (as introduced in 2025).

Purpose / Intent

To expand access to physicians in Kansas by requiring the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts to issue a new provisional license to qualified internationally trained physicians who have an offer of employment from a healthcare provider that operates in Kansas, with a pathway to full licensure after successful practice.

Key provisions

  • Establishes a new provisional license to practice medicine in Kansas for certain "international physicians" who receive a bona fide offer of employment from a Kansas healthcare provider.
  • Defines terms including “board,” “healthcare provider,” “international medical program,” and “international physician.”
  • Sets eligibility criteria for an international physician, including:
    • Medical doctorate (or substantially similar degree) from a program of good standing;
    • Good standing with the licensing/regulatory body in their licensing country (no pending discipline in last 5 years);
    • Completion of residency or equivalent training or at least seven years’ post-MD practice performing physician duties;
    • At least five years’ practice as a fully licensed/authorized physician after residency or equivalent;
    • Certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) or board-approved evaluator;
    • Passage of USMLE Steps 1, 2 and 3;
    • Basic fluency in English.
  • Additional constraints before licensure: must be eligible for U.S. federal immigration/work authorization that permits physician practice; must possess passing USMLE scores.
  • Board may require evidence of training, exam passage, background checks, completed application, and payment of fees prior to granting a provisional or full license.
  • Provisional license holders may apply before obtaining federal work authorization but may not begin work until authorized.
  • Provisional licenses automatically convert to full Kansas licenses after three years of active practice in Kansas.
  • Provisional licenses may be revoked if the physician is not employed by a sponsoring Kansas healthcare provider during the provisional period (physician may change sponsors but cannot be without sponsoring employment for more than 30 days total during the provisional period).
  • Board retains standard disciplinary authority (revocation, suspension, limitation, censure, probation) under existing statutes and administrative procedure.
  • Contains severability clause; bill supplements the Kansas Healing Arts Act. Effective upon publication in statute book.

Who is affected

  • International physicians who meet the specified qualifications and have employment offers from Kansas healthcare providers.
  • Kansas State Board of Healing Arts: required to create and administer a new license category and procedures.
  • Kansas healthcare providers (hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities, university medical centers, etc.) seeking to recruit internationally trained physicians.
  • Patients and the broader healthcare system due to potential changes in physician workforce availability.

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • Kansas State Board of Healing Arts estimates increased fee-fund expenditures of $282,681 in FY2026 and $262,681 in subsequent years.
    • Estimated need for two new positions: 1.0 Medical Licensing Analyst (to assess substantial equivalency) and 1.0 Licensing Analyst (to track provisional licensees).
    • Salary/benefits estimated at ~$262,618; one-time startup costs ~$10,000 per position for equipment/software/office furnishings.
    • Significant IT/system changes required to add a new license type.
  • Revenue impact described as negligible.
  • Fiscal impact was not reflected in the FY 2026 Governor’s Budget Report.

Procedural status (as provided)

  • Introduced (early 2025) and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services. (Source documents show committee referral and related chamber actions; consult the official Kansas legislative website for the latest status and actions.)

Potential implications / considerations

  • Could accelerate recruitment and placement of internationally trained physicians to address provider shortages in Kansas.
  • Raises issues for oversight and quality assurance (board’s substantial equivalency determinations, monitoring of provisional licensees, disciplinary enforcement).
  • Administrative costs and IT/system implementation requirements for the Board.
  • Interaction with federal immigration/work authorization timing noted (work may not begin until authorized).

For the most current text, legislative actions, or fiscal updates, consult the Kansas Legislature or the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts.

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

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