Webinar: What's next for state pathways for internationally trained doctors?

On December 11, 2025, the Niskanen Center hosted a panel featuring state lawmakers, policy experts, and physicians. Experts explored the key implementation challenges states face, highlighted the Niskanen Center’s key policy recommendations, and assessed what’s next for strengthening the health-care workforce.

In the last five years, more than a third of U.S. states have created alternative licensing pathways to help experienced doctors from around the world address America’s growing physician shortage. Once licensed by state medical boards, these internationally trained physicians (ITPs) are ready to treat patients immediately.

But turning legislation into impact is far from straightforward.  Passing a law is only the first step in a process that depends on implementation by state boards, uptake by employers, and years of work by ITPs before those doctors achieve the full practice authority and flexibility needed for maximum impact.

Lawson Mansell moderated the discussion featuring:

• Jonathan Wolfson, Niskanen Center 
• Rep. Tom Oliverson, Texas House of Representatives
• Dr. Ilan Shapiro, AltaMed Health Services