BUILDING A BETTER TEXAS TOGETHER!

Governor Signs Perez Joint-Authored Bill to Allow Experienced Foreign-Trained Doctors to Practice in Texas

State Rep. Vince Perez says new law is “very big deal” for El Paso and other border communities

EL PASO, TEXAS — State Representative Vince Perez announced that Governor Greg Abbott has signed House Bill 2038 into law—a landmark reform that will allow experienced foreign-trained physicians (such as those in Mexico) to practice in Texas without repeating a U.S. residency, provided they meet state licensing and employment criteria. The law was jointly authored by State Rep. Perez and is expected to have significant impact in expanding the number of qualified doctors to serve El Paso and other border communities.

“There are thousands of well-trained, highly educated, and deeply experienced doctors in Mexico who would love nothing more than to serve communities like El Paso,” said State Representative Vince Perez. “But for too long, states like Texas have forced them to repeat as many as four years of residency—even after passing the same medical exams as U.S. doctors and completing similar residency programs in their home country. As I said during my campaign, fixing this broken system was one of my top priorities, and I couldn’t be prouder that we’ve delivered real reform in my first term. This new law will undoubtedly bring more qualified physicians to El Paso and to underserved communities across Texas.”

The legislation creates a provisional license pathway for foreign medical graduates (FMGs) who:

• Have practiced abroad for at least 5–10 years,
• Hold a medical degree from a school recognized by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates,
• Pass Step 1 and Step 2 of the U.S. medical licensing exam,
• Are proficient in English and eligible to work in the U.S., and
• Secure employment in a Texas healthcare facility.

After a two-year provisional period and additional verification, they may be eligible for full licensure, without redoing a full U.S. residency program.

Initially, provisional license holders will be required to practice in structured, facility-based or group practice settings, such as hospitals or clinics affiliated with medical residency programs. However, once their license is renewed—typically after two years—they may practice in any setting within a medically underserved area, rural community, or health professional shortage area as designated by the federal government. Much of El Paso County qualifies under these definitions, ensuring that renewed license holders will be able to continue serving the region.

The change is especially meaningful for border communities like El Paso, where physician shortages are acute and recruitment is challenging.

“In a region like El Paso, where patients often wait months to see a specialist, this bill means more doctors, more timely care, and better health outcomes,” said Perez. “It recognizes that many foreign-trained physicians already have the knowledge and clinical skills—they just need a pathway to serve. This legislation is about removing artificial barriers without compromising patient safety. It’s a very big deal for communities like El Paso that can attract doctors from Mexico who want to practice in Texas but also want to remain close to home.”

Dr. Alejandro Diaz, a physician and advocate for greater access to healthcare in underserved communities, praised the legislation: “Texas is facing one of the most acute provider shortages in the country. Innovative legislative initiatives such as those introduced by Rep. Vince Perez in HB 2038 will allow for qualified medical professionals like foreign medical graduates to bring their expertise to the State of Texas. This bill will not only streamline the licensure pathways to experienced and qualified physicians from around the globe but also contribute to the mission of expanding access to high-quality healthcare and meeting the growing demands of Texas’ 32 million residents. For the El Paso community, where healthcare providers face the dual pressures of serving a large, bilingual population and geographic isolation from many specialty services, broadening the pool of eligible clinicians—including foreign-trained doctors already living in the region—will allow for meaningful contributions to the local health ecosystem. I want to thank Representative Perez and his colleagues in the Texas State House and Senate for their extraordinary efforts in passing this transformational legislation so swiftly.”

The Texas Medical Board will implement the new licensing framework by January 1, 2026, and the law goes into effect September 1, 2025.

Perez also expressed his gratitude to State Rep. Tom Oliverson (R-Cypress) who was the primary author of the bill. While State Rep. Perez’s first authored bill as a legislator was HB 2852 - “Relating to the issuance of a provisional license to practice medicine to certain foreign medical license holders with offers of employment; authorizing fees,” the bill contained similar provisions to one authored by Rep. Oliverson. In his first meeting after taking the oath of office, Rep. Perez met with Dr. Oliverson to discuss the importance of the bill to communities such as El Paso. Dr. Oliverson asked Rep. Perez to serve as joint author to the bill.

“I also wish to thank Rep. Tom Oliverson for his leadership in authoring this important legislation and allowing me to serve as joint author. It is an example of what bipartisanship can deliver for the people of Texas.”

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Vince Perez is State Representative for House District 77 in El Paso. He serves on the influential House Ways and Means Committee as well the committees on Higher Education and Local, Consent, and Resolutions Calendars. He is the former El Paso County Commissioner for Precinct 3 and was named the 2016 County Leader of the Year by American City & County Magazine. He is a lifelong resident of El Paso's Mission Valley, where he lives with his dogs Whiskey, Lady, and Manchas.