Provide for licensure of internationally trained physicians under the Uniform Credentialing Act and change provisions of the Engineers and Architects Regulation Act
LB 1212 creates two new license types for internationally trained physicians in Nebraska who completed medical education outside the U.S. It allows a "limited license" (valid up to 6 years total) requiring supervision by a participating health care entity (like a hospital or health center) and completion of a state-approved assessment program. A "restricted license" would permit independent practice in designated health profession shortage areas after meeting the same requirements. The bill requires physicians to hold ECFMG certification, pass USMLE steps 1 and 2, maintain valid U.S. work authorization, and be employed by a participating entity during the limited license period. This directly affects internationally trained physicians seeking to practice medicine in Nebraska, particularly in underserved rural or urban areas.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Legislature Passage
Apr 2026
Legislature Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 21, 2026
Signed Apr 17, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Enrollment and Review ER167
→
Final Reading
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was re-introduced with a significant shift in focus from a broad credentialing reform to specifically targeting the licensure of internationally trained physicians under the Medicine and Surgery Practice Act. The text now includes detailed definitions for terms like 'internationally trained physician' and 'participating health care entity,' establishing a pathway for these doctors to practice in health shortage areas. The scope has narrowed to exclude the Engineers and Architects Regulation Act, which was previously mentioned in the original version.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed to focus exclusively on the Medicine and Surgery Practice Act, removing previous references to the Engineers and Architects Regulation Act.
DEFINITION
New definitions were added for 'internationally trained physician,' 'legally chartered medical school,' 'participating health care entity,' and 'transitional license' to clarify eligibility and operational requirements.
ELIGIBILITY
Specific criteria were established for issuing provisional licenses, including requirements for passing USMLE Step 1 and 2, holding ECFMG certification, and securing employment with an approved health care entity.
SCOPE
References to the Engineers and Architects Regulation Act were removed, indicating the bill no longer covers engineering or architecture licensing.
TIMELINE
The bill's date was updated from March 2026 to January 2026, reflecting a new introduction date and committee assignment to Health and Human Services.
Floor votes · Legislature Mar 24, 2026
How they voted
38–0
Passed · 11 other
Total votes 49
Mar 24, 2026
N
Nonpartisan49
77% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
29
Key actions
9
Committee
2
Amendments
1
Apr 17, 2026
Introduced
Provisions/portions of LB899 amended into LB1212 by AM2998
legislature
Apr 17, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor on April 14, 2026
executive
Apr 10, 2026
Legislature · Passed
President/Speaker signed
legislature
Apr 10, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Passed on Final Reading 49-0-0
legislature
Apr 1, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Riepe AM2937 adopted
legislature
Apr 1, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Riepe AM3028 adopted
legislature
Apr 1, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Lonowski AM2998 adopted
legislature
Apr 1, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Enrollment and Review ER167 adopted
legislature
Mar 24, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Health and Human Services AM2477 adopted
legislature
Mar 10, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Placed on General File with AM2477
legislature
Jan 23, 2026
Committee
Referred to Health and Human Services Committee
legislature
Jan 21, 2026
Introduced
Date of introduction
legislature
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Merv Riepe
NNonpartisan
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