In some situations before a physician can receive authorization to work for a U.S. employer, they must first receive the proper professional licensing. Limited licenses are only available for physicians who meet certain criteria.
Limited licenses waive the citizenship/permanent residence requirements in exchange for the physician’s service in medically underserved areas.
To be eligible, you must meet all requirements for licensure as a physician except for the citizenship/permanent residence requirement. This includes three years of accredited postgraduate training (or the substantial equivalent) and an acceptable licensing examination sequence (e.g., USMLE Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3).
Physicians who obtain limited medical licenses must agree to limit their practice to a medically underserved area. Although limited in nature a physician pursuing permanent residency status may have an extension of up to six years.
Areas designated by the United States Department of Health are eligible service areas for primary care physicians, which includes family practice, pediatrics, internal medicine, and obstetrics/gynecology.
A subspecialist who is seeking a three-year limited license to practice in an area or at a facility that is not designated by the Board of Regents as having a shortage in the specific subspecialty must obtain endorsement of unmet need. Due to the way unmet need is measured, occasionally extenuating circumstances can affect access to subspecialty health care. We work closely with both State and Federal agencies through this complex process, helping our clients remain in the United States to further their medical careers.
