A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to make modifications to the laws pertaining to the north carolina medical board.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 1 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 90‑12.2B.  Licensure by endorsement.
(a)	The Board may issue a license as a physician, physician assistant, or anesthesiologist assistant in North Carolina to an applicant who submits an application for licensure by endorsement to the Board and satisfies all of the following, as applicable to the applicant's licensure:
(1)	Has held an active, full, and unrestricted license in at least one other United States jurisdiction, including any state, territory, or district, for at least five years. Physicians applying for a license to practice medicine must have practiced with an active, full, and unrestricted license for at least two years after completing training after graduating from medical school in a residency program approved by any of the following:
a.	The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
b.	The American Osteopathic Association.
c.	The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
d.	The College of Family Physicians of Canada.
(2)	An employer submits a letter to the Board verifying that the applicant has accepted an offer of full‑time employment to practice consistent with the applicant's respective licensure in person at a physical location in this State rendering care to individuals in this State.
(3)	Provides to the Board sufficient proof of identification, including the applicant's social security number, certified or official copy of birth certificate, copy of drivers license, United States passport, or other government‑issued identification. The applicant shall include documentation of any legal name change.
(4)	Provides an attestation that the applicant meets all of the following:
a.	Is in good standing in all jurisdictions of licensure where the applicant holds an active license, has not been disciplined in the last five years by any occupational licensing board preceding the application by endorsement, and has no pending investigations by any occupational licensing board.
b.	Is not the subject to any adverse action taken by any regulatory board or agency overseeing the applicant's respective licensure in the last five years preceding the application for licensure by endorsement.
c.	Has actively practiced as a physician, physician assistant, or anesthesiologist assistant for an average of 20 hours or more per week during the two years immediately preceding the application for licensure by endorsement.
d.	Has no misdemeanor or felony convictions in the last five years preceding the application for licensure by endorsement.
e.	Meets the licensure requirements of physicians under G.S. 90‑9.1 or G.S. 90‑9.2, physician assistants under G.S. 90‑9.3, or anesthesiologist assistants under G.S. 90‑9.4.
f.	Meets the examination requirements of G.S. 90‑10.1 for physician licensure.
g.	Is able to satisfy all licensing requirements of any applicable Board rule, including 21 NCAC 32B .1303, 21 NCAC 32S .0202, and 21 NCAC 32W .0102, as amended, for physicians, physician assistants, and anesthesiologist assistants, respectively.
(b)	Licensees who have received a licensure in accordance with subsection (a) of this section shall submit to the Board any additional licensure information for a license as required by any applicable Board rule, including 21 NCAC 32B .1303, as amended, within 120 days of receipt of licensure by endorsement under this section. Failure to provide the necessary information under this section shall constitute a basis for the Board to investigate that failure and take appropriate action. The Board has the authority to investigate and take appropriate action against an applicant or licensee who applied for or received licensure by endorsement under this section. The Board shall retain jurisdiction over the holder of any inactive license issued by the Board.
(c)	A license issued under this section shall become inactive after 180 days unless the applicant meets all of the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.
(d)	An applicant for licensure by endorsement shall pay the applicable license fees under G.S. 90‑13.1 and applicable criminal background check fees under G.S. 90‑11."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 90‑13.1 is amended by adding the following new subsections to read:
"(i)	Physicians applying for licensure by endorsement under G.S. 90‑12.2B shall pay to the Board an application fee not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00).
(j)	Anesthesiologist assistants applying for licensure by endorsement under G.S. 90‑12.2B shall pay to the Board an application fee not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).
(k)	Physician assistants applying for licensure by endorsement under G.S. 90‑12.2B shall pay to the Board an application fee not to exceed three hundred thirty dollars ($330.00)."
SECTION 3.  The North Carolina Medical Board may adopt temporary rules to implement the provisions of Sections 1 and 2 of this act.
SECTION 4.  G.S. 90‑16(c) reads as rewritten:
"(c)	All records, papers, investigative files, investigative reports, other investigative information and other documents containing information in the possession of or received or gathered by the Board, or its members or employees or consultants as a result of investigations, inquiries, assessments, or interviews conducted in connection with a licensing, complaint, assessment, potential impairment matter, disciplinary matter, or report of professional liability insurance awards or settlements pursuant to G.S. 90‑14.13, shall not be considered public records within the meaning of Chapter 132 of the General Statutes and are privileged, confidential, and not subject to discovery, subpoena, or other means of legal compulsion for release to any person other than the Office of the State Auditor pursuant to G.S. 147‑64.7(a), the Board, its employees or consultants involved in the application for license, impairment assessment, or discipline of a license holder, except as provided in subsection (e1) of this section. For purposes of this subsection, investigative information includes information relating to the identity of, and a report made by, a physician or other person performing an expert review for the Board and transcripts of any deposition taken by Board counsel in preparation for or anticipation of a hearing held pursuant to this Article but not admitted into evidence at the hearing."
SECTION 5.  Sections 1 and 2 of this act become effective January 1, 2026. Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.