Louisiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Louisiana HB1160: PHYSICIANS: Provides relative to rural physician licenses
Status: Signed into law, June 9, 2026
What the bill says
An act To enact R.S. 37:1275.3, relative to the practice of medicine; to provide for licensure of certain international physicians; to provide for a restricted rural physician license; to provide for eligibility requirements; to provide for practice limitations and supervision; to provide for conversion to an unrestricted license; to provide for rules; and to provide for related matters; and to provide for related matters.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT To enact R.S. 37:1275.3, relative to the practice of medicine; to provide for licensure of certain international physicians; to provide for a restricted rural physician license; to provide for eligibility requirements; to provide for practice limitations and supervision; to provide for conversion to an unrestricted license; to provide for rules; and to provide for related matters; and to provide for related matters. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: Section 1. R.S. 37:1275.3 is hereby enacted to read as follows: §1275.3. Rural international physician; licensure; limitations A. The board shall issue a restricted rural physician license to an applicant who meets all of the following requirements: (1) Holds a medical degree from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools. (2) Has completed medical education substantially equivalent to a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine degree. (3) Has successfully passed Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination or an equivalent examination as determined by the board. (4) Possesses certification from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates or equivalent credential verification approved by the board. Page 1 of CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HLS 26RS-1656 ORIGINAL HB NO. 1160 (5) Has completed at least three …
Sponsors
- Echols, Michael (R, 14) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Effective date: 08/01/2026.
- : Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 879.
- : Sent to the Governor for executive approval.
- : Signed by the President of the Senate.
- : Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
- : Received from the Senate without amendments.
- : Rules suspended. Read by title, passed by a vote of 38 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
- : Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.
- : Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
- : Reported favorably.
Votes
- Senate Vote on HB 1160, FINAL PASSAGE (#1351) (May 26, 2026): 38 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Vote on HB 1160, FINAL PASSAGE (#689) (April 22, 2026): 94 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB1160?
- HB1160 is a bill in the Louisiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): PHYSICIANS: Provides relative to rural physician licenses.
- What does HB1160 do?
- In its own words: An act To enact R.S. 37:1275.3, relative to the practice of medicine; to provide for licensure of certain international physicians; to provide for a restricted rural physician license; to provide for eligibility requirements; to provide for practice limitations and supervision; to provide for conversion to an unrestricted license; to provide for rules; and to provide for related matters; and to provide for related matters.
- What is the status of HB1160?
- Signed into law as of June 9, 2026. Latest action: Effective date: 08/01/2026. (June 9, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1160?
- Echols, Michael (R, 14).
- Where is the official record for HB1160?
- On the Louisiana Legislature website: https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=HB1160
Source: official Louisiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.