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CE Graduate Pilot Program Rules

Rule Description: 

CE Graduate Pilot Program Rules

Current Draft Language Date Status
SSB 5185 Draft Language 8/3/2026 Ready for Hearing

 

 

Code Reviser (CR) Document: 
PDF icon CR-101
Rule Making Supporting Materials: 

SSB 5185

Type of Meeting Date Materials Recordings
Rules Workshop 7/20/2026 Workshop Packet Video Link
Rules Workshop 8/3/2026 Workshop Packet Video Link

Public Comments

Cherie Sandretzky (not verified)- Jun 30, 2026 07:21 PM Reply
I have a bit of a problem with this, two years ago, I went to the doctor with my husband and this Doctor was from a different country and we were giving her the history I said he had a TBI, I am a critical care nurse and assumed that anyone in healthcare would know what a TBI is. She looked at me and said, oh, what is that? I had to explain to this supposed physician, a very simple term, what a traumatic brain injury was, this is unacceptable. Another time, a different foreign doctor told my son that being a diabetic, that what he ate today would not affect him until tomorrow, this is ludicrous. A doctor from another country does not understand that blood sugars postprandial food peaks at 2 hours, then she continued on to say that he didn't need to check his blood sugars! He's a diabetic for crying out loud. Of course he needs to monitor hia blood sugars! I just don't think that these people coming into the country without sufficient education is a miatake. No matter what protocol you put them through, no matter what hoops they jump theough, or what tests they need to take. I don't think it benefits the population especially here in Washington. This does not make sense to me why you want to do this. There is enough fraud and enough fraudulent paperwork around that I could probably go to another country and get some type of paperwork that says, I've been in medical school. We had it happen down. In Florida, a couple of years ago, they were giving out registered nurse licenses left and right for people that had never gone to school. Let's be a little bit smarter with our community. Please. .
Micah Matthews, WMC (not verified)- Jul 09, 2026 05:58 PM Reply
Hello, Mrs. Sandretzky, Thank you for commenting on this proposal. I’d like to walk through some background on the Washington physician workforce related to this proposal, since it speaks to some of your concerns. The situations you describe are certainly problematic sounding as written. If such instances occur, I recommend you file a complaint with the WMC so the regulator responsible can investigate if warranted: https://wmc.wa.gov/complaints-actions/file-complaint-against-md-or-pa However, the current reality doesn’t support this worry. The International Medical Graduates (IMG) Clinical Experience license has been issued 133 times by the WMC since the Legislature directed us to do so in 2021. In that time, we received a total of two complaints against holders of these license types; both were fully exonerated of any violation. Therefore, as of July 2, 2026, no licensed IMGs have been disciplined. Further, complaint rates against IMGs are proportionally lower than domestic graduates for more than a decade. Washington has a clinical workforce shortage in nearly every area of the state. IMGs make up 20 percent of the Washington physician workforce according to our published data. In training centers such as UW, that number climbs to 40 percent or more. Compared to nursing education, medicine has a rigorous verification structure. It requires multiple layers of education, training, third party verifications, background checks and three licensing exams before applying for a license. Even more is required to achieve independent practice. Decades of federal inaction related to residency funding levels only accentuate these access issues. It is up to the State to address citizen’s needs. That is why the Legislature and two Governors for the past eight years have aimed to expand the workforce through funding residency positions and promoting growth of existing and new professions. This four-year supervised practice pathway is one such approach. For five years this was rigorously studied and reported on; with 22 other U.S. states enacting similar legislation. This is not cutting corners or compromising care; it is responding to our community needs, following the direction of the Legislature and Governor, and using the qualified and competent resources (IMGs) already in our state. Thank you again for your engagement.
Ethel Vassallo (not verified)- Jul 19, 2026 10:44 PM Reply
The CE Graduate Program physicians should be totally supported, they’re the ones dedicating their lives serving the underserved aging population. These physicians bridges the gap of shortage in the Medical Field. They’re certified equally like local graduate physicians. And have been serving the community for some years now.
Stephanie Fox (not verified)- Jul 17, 2026 02:26 PM Reply
Good afternoon! I wanted to share my family’s recent experience with one of the physicians who has the International Medical Graduates Clinical Experience License. About a month ago, my 20 year old stepson ended up going to the ER. This was very concerning to me as he hardly ever gets sick. While they did their tests & scans, they could not figure out exactly what was causing his issues. They recommended that he get set up with a primary care provider (PCP) and have them do a basic physical, order labs, and provide a referral to a specialist physician. Most primary care clinics are so full that it usually takes 2 months or more to see a PCP. My stepson was able to obtain a visit which happened at about 1 month after the ER visit. My husband was also at this visit for moral support as this was stepson’s first time setting up his own medical appointments. My husband and stepson told me about the visit when they returned home. They stated that the visit went great. They said that the doctor was a nice person, that he listened and treated stepson very well. They said the doctor addressed all of his needs, did the history & physical, put in the order for lab work and got the referral going for the specialist physician. When I mentioned to my husband that the doctor they had seen was an MDCE provider, he stated that “He was just like the rest of the doctors and providers at the clinic. There really was no difference at all.” I will say this, we are a “medically complex” family meaning we have conditions that require more care and more visits with an array of providers in different specialties. We tend to pay attention to the providers with whom we have positive experiences. I really appreciate that the state decided to do this program. It is helping Washingtonians. We have a shortage of providers in this state. Adding this license enables organizations to have more qualified providers treating patients and more providers means more hands to help and reduced wait times for patients to be seen. I am so thankful for this.
Sam Hsieh (not verified)- Jul 17, 2026 04:14 PM Reply
I want to share my support for the MDCE pathway and offer a different perspective on some of the concerns I have been hearing about internationally trained physicians. These are not unqualified doctors. They passed the same US medical licensing exams required of every physician in this country. They are background checked, ECFMG certified, and practice under a supervision agreement filed directly with the Washington Medical Commission. Many hold board certifications from their home countries earned through rigorous examination and clinical evaluation. Studies have shown that patients treated by internationally trained physicians have outcomes that are comparable to, and in some cases better than, those treated by US trained physicians. Where someone trained does not determine their competency. Demonstrated skill does. Here is what I find hard to understand. Hospitals across rural Washington, especially on the Eastern Washington side, are already hiring brand new physician assistants and nurse practitioners, handing them full patient panels, and expecting them to function like physicians. Most patients in those exam rooms cannot tell the difference, and honestly, they do not care as long as someone is there to help them. That is happening right now, and we are already seeing the consequences in provider burnout rates across the state. If we are comfortable with that model, why are we resistant to bringing in fully trained, supervised, and monitored physicians to help carry that load? This pathway is not here to replace anyone. It is here to help. These physicians are already living and working in the US, fully trained, and ready to serve. Washington communities, particularly rural ones, are running out of options and we simply don’t have enough doctors. Over 28 states have now enacted some form of alternative licensure pathway recognizing this same need. This is becoming a national movement. Washington made the right call passing SB 5185. Our communities need this program and the Commission should continue building it with confidence.
Neriza Mercado (not verified)- Jul 19, 2026 10:18 PM Reply
There’s not a lot of physicians in washington. There is a shortage of physicians and these CE graduate program will help fill that gap. Having full licensure privileges to international graduates especially in areas away from the big cities will be a huge help. These international graduates passed all exams as well . And they completed medical schools and are competent to treat and manage complex cases. NP and PA are good providers but washington will benefit from these physicians.
Kristoffer Mercado (not verified)- Jul 19, 2026 10:21 PM Reply
I fully support the CE Graduate program. WA State has a shortage of physicians and we need them to fill the huge gap. They have been serving their communities well for more than four years now. These physicians are providing care to the underserved population in WA state.