Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5185: International med. pathways
Status: Signed into law, March 23, 2026
Establishing preceptorship and hardship pathways to medical practice for international medical graduates.
What the bill says
An act Relating to establishing a pilot program that creates a pathway to physician licensure for international medical graduates; amending RCW 18.71.051; adding a new section to chapter 18.71 RCW; and providing an expiration date.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to establishing a pilot program that creates a pathway to physician licensure for international medical graduates; amending RCW 18.71.051; adding a new section to chapter 18.71 RCW; and providing an expiration date. Sec. 1. RCW 18.71.051 and 2020 c 325 s 4 are each amended to read as follows: (1) Applicants for licensure to practice medicine who have graduated from a school of medicine located outside of the states, territories, and possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Dominion of Canada, shall file an application for licensure with the commission on a form prepared by the secretary with the approval of the commission. Each applicant shall furnish proof satisfactory to the commission of the (b)(((i) Except as provided in (b)(ii) of this subsection, that))That he or she meets all the requirements which must be met by graduates of the United States and Canadian school of medicine except that he or she need not have graduated from a school of medicine approved by the commission; (((ii) An applicant for licensure under this section is not required to meet the requirements of RCW 18.71.050(1)(b) if he or she furnishes proof satisfactory to the commission that he or she or (II) Been issued a permanent immigration visa; and (B) Received multiple sclerosis certified specialist status from …
Sponsors
- Rebecca Saldaña (D) · primary sponsor
- Adrian Cortes (D)
- Annette Cleveland (D)
- Lisa Wellman (D)
- Derek Stanford (D)
- Joe Nguyen (D)
- Mike Chapman (D)
- Tina Orwall (D)
- Manka Dhingra (D)
- Javier Valdez (D)
- Marcus Riccelli (D)
- Jessica Bateman (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 154, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : Speaker signed.
- : President signed.
- : Passed final passage; yeas, 41; nays, 8; absent, 0; excused, 0.
- : Senate concurred in House amendments.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 89; nays, 4; absent, 0; excused, 5.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Votes
- Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 9, 2026): 41 yea, 8 nay, passed
- Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 3, 2026): 89 yea, 4 nay, passed
- House Committee on Health Care & Wellness: Do pass as amended (February 24, 2026): 18 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 6, 2026): 39 yea, 9 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5185 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass (January 30, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF, HEALTH CARE PRACTIONERS AND PROVIDERS
Common questions
- What is SB5185?
- SB5185 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): International med. pathways.
- What does SB5185 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to establishing a pilot program that creates a pathway to physician licensure for international medical graduates; amending RCW 18.71.051; adding a new section to chapter 18.71 RCW; and providing an expiration date.
- What is the status of SB5185?
- Signed into law as of March 23, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 23, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5185?
- Rebecca Saldaña (D), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB5185?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5185&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.