EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed House Bill 2038 into law which will allow experienced foreign-trained doctors to practice in Texas without having to repeat a U.S. residency, state Rep. Vince Perez’s office announced in a news release.
The bill would allow foreign-trained doctors, like those in Mexico, to skip a U.S. residency if they can meet state licensing and employment criteria, said the office of Perez, a first-term Democrat representing El Paso.
The law was jointly authored by Perez and is expected to have significant impact in expanding the number of qualified doctors to serve El Paso and other border communities, Perez’s office said.
“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,” Perez said. “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,” Perez said.
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.;
• Secure employment in a Texas health care 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, Perez’s office said.
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, Perez’s office said.
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, Perez’s office said.
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,” Perez said. “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.”
The Texas Medical Board will implement the new licensing framework by Jan. 1, 2026, and the law goes into effect Sept. 1, 2025.
State Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, was the primary author of the bill.
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