Provisional Medical Licenses for Foreign Doctors in Illinois: International Medical Graduate Application and Process

This article about Illinois professional licensing was originally published on the website for Chicago IDFPR and Licensing Attorney, Michael V. Favia, on January 24, 2025, at https://bit.ly/InternationalMedicalGraduateProvisionalLicensingIllinois

The International Medical Graduate Application and Process Paves the Way to Illinois Medical Licenses Under a Supervised Limited Practice Program?

The current aging generation is significant compared to currently available medical facilities and physicians. We need more doctors. Foreign doctors would love to work here in the US but lack the qualifications to apply for a medical license based on their foreign practice alone. The provisional license program offers a supervised practice program for foreign physicians who experience our health systems and in time, may apply for full licensing in Illinois.?

The foreign-trained doctors, given their educational qualifications, make them eligible for this provisional license program, otherwise would not have completed a US residency program, so this supervised provisional practice program helps substitute the benefit of that supervised experience.?

Here is the IDFPR: Questions Regarding the International Medical Graduate (IMG) Application and Application Process

Eligibility to Apply for a Provisional Medical License, and Legal Assistance?

The applicant must pass the USMLE and certification of their foreign medical education must be completed by the ECFMG. The IDFPR published an Initial Licensure Checklist containing extensive information about the checklist of necessary documentation and steps in the process of obtaining temporary approved provisional licensure.?

At the Law Offices of Michael V. Favia & Associates, P.C., we frequently answer questions and assist in the preparation of applications for licensure under all kinds of circumstances where the applicant appreciates professional guidance in licensing matters. It is valuable to these physicians to have relationships with regulatory lawyers like us so they know they can always be in touch with a question that may arise now and then under all kinds of situations.?

Limited Practice?

Approved for provisional licenses, foreign physicians are permitted to practice under the supervision of a traditionally licensed physician, to serve areas experiencing medical need and underserved populations.??

The Pathway to a Full Illinois Medical License?

Foreign doctors, after practicing for a period of supervised medical practice, are eligible to apply for a full medical license in Illinois. On the new law passing, the Illinois State Medical Society praised the program to help ease the physician shortage in Illinois. “State lawmakers passed a new law to provide a licensure pathway for certain internationally trained doctors who are not eligible for regular licensure under existing law.”?

The new law went into effect this January 1, 2025.?

With Questions or in Need of Assistance with International Medical Graduate Provisional Licensing, Contact Chicago IDFPR and Licensing Attorney Michael V. Favia

There are all kinds of questions and concerns that can arise in the process of applying for provisional licensing in the International Medical Graduate program in Illinois. Applicants may have eligibility questions or their application could have been interrupted for some reason. Our attorneys are former IDFPR Department professionals who understand the nature of the process of vetting applicants assisting with documentation and making the necessary steps to achieving the ultimate goal of a full medical license in Illinois.?

With your questions, please contact us through our website or call the Law Office of Michael V. Favia & Associates, P.C. in Chicago and Rolling Meadows at (312) 609-6666.