1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; modifying licensure requirements for the practice of medicine 
1.3 	and acupuncture; amending temporary license requirements for respiratory care 
1.4 	practitioners; repealing professional corporation rules;amending Minnesota Statutes 
1.5 	2022, sections 147.02, subdivision 1; 147.03, subdivision 1; 147.037, subdivision 
1.6 	1; 147.141; 147A.16; 147B.02, subdivisions 4, 7; 147C.15, subdivision 3; repealing 
1.7 	Minnesota Rules, parts 5610.0100; 5610.0200; 5610.0300.
1.8 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.9 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 147.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.10 		Subdivision 1.United States or Canadian medical school graduates. The board shall 
1.11 	issue a license to practice medicine to a person not currently licensed in another state or 
1.12 	Canada and who meets the requirements in paragraphs (a) to (i).
1.13 	(a) An applicant for a license shall file a written application on forms provided by the 
1.14 	board, showing to the board's satisfaction that the applicant is of good moral character and 
1.15 	satisfies the requirements of this section.
1.16 	(b) The applicant shall present evidence satisfactory to the board of being a graduate of 
1.17 	a medical or osteopathic medical school located in the United States, its territories or Canada, 
1.18 	and approved by the board based upon its faculty, curriculum, facilities, accreditation by a 
1.19 	recognized national accrediting organization approved by the board, and other relevant data, 
1.20 	or is currently enrolled in the final year of study at the school.
1.21 	(c) The applicant must have passed an examination as described in clause (1) or (2).
1.22 	(1) The applicant must have passed a comprehensive examination for initial licensure 
1.23 	prepared and graded by the National Board of Medical Examiners, the Federation of State 
2.1 	Medical Boards, the Medical Council of Canada, the National Board of Osteopathic 
2.2 	Examiners, or the appropriate state board that the board determines acceptable. The board 
2.3 	shall by rule determine what constitutes a passing score in the examination.
2.4 	(2) The applicant taking the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) 
2.5 	or Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA) must 
2.6 	have passed steps or levels one, two, and three. Step or level three must be passed within 
2.7 	five years of passing step or level two, or before the end of residency training. The applicant 
2.8 	must pass each of steps or levels one, two, and three with passing scores as recommended 
2.9 	by the USMLE program or National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners within three 
2.10 	attempts. The applicant taking combinations of Federation of State Medical Boards, National 
2.11 	Board of Medical Examiners, and USMLE may be accepted only if the combination is 
2.12 	approved by the board as comparable to existing comparable examination sequences and 
2.13 	all examinations are completed prior to the year 2000.
2.14 	(d) The applicant shall present evidence satisfactory to the board of the completion of 
2.15 	one year of graduate, clinical medical training in a program accredited by a national 
2.16 	accrediting organization approved by the board or other graduate training approved in 
2.17 	advance by the board as meeting standards similar to those of a national accrediting 
2.18 	organization.
2.19 	(e) The applicant may make arrangements with the executive director to appear in person 
2.20 	before the board or its designated representative to show that the applicant satisfies the 
2.21 	requirements of this section. The board may establish as internal operating procedures the 
2.22 	procedures or requirements for the applicant's personal presentation.
2.23 	(f) The applicant shall pay a nonrefundable fee established by the board. Upon application 
2.24 	or notice of license renewal, the board must provide notice to the applicant and to the person 
2.25 	whose license is scheduled to be issued or renewed of any additional fees, surcharges, or 
2.26 	other costs which the person is obligated to pay as a condition of licensure. The notice must:
2.27 	(1) state the dollar amount of the additional costs; and
2.28 	(2) clearly identify to the applicant the payment schedule of additional costs.
2.29 	(g) The applicant must not be under license suspension or revocation by the licensing 
2.30 	board of the state or jurisdiction in which the conduct that caused the suspension or revocation 
2.31 	occurred.
2.32 	(h) The applicant must not have engaged in conduct warranting disciplinary action 
2.33 	against a licensee, or have been subject to disciplinary action other than as specified in 
3.1 	paragraph (g). If the applicant does not satisfy the requirements stated in this paragraph, 
3.2 	the board may issue a license only on the applicant's showing that the public will be protected 
3.3 	through issuance of a license with conditions and limitations the board considers appropriate.
3.4 	(i) If the examination in paragraph (c) was passed more than ten years ago, the applicant 
3.5 	must either:
3.6 	(1) pass the special purpose examination of the Federation of State Medical Boards with 
3.7 	a score of 75 or better within three attempts; or
3.8 	(2) have a current certification by a specialty board of the American Board of Medical 
3.9 	Specialties, of the American Osteopathic Association, the Royal College of Physicians and 
3.10 	Surgeons of Canada, or of the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

3.11 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 147.03, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
3.12 		Subdivision 1.Endorsement; reciprocity. (a) The board may issue a license to practice 
3.13 	medicine to any person who satisfies the requirements in paragraphs (b) to (e).
3.14 	(b) The applicant shall satisfy all the requirements established in section 147.02, 
3.15 	subdivision 1, paragraphs (a), (b), (d), (e), and (f).
3.16 	(c) The applicant shall:
3.17 	(1) have passed an examination prepared and graded by the Federation of State Medical 
3.18 	Boards, the National Board of Medical Examiners, or the United States Medical Licensing 
3.19 	Examination (USMLE) program in accordance with section 147.02, subdivision 1, paragraph 
3.20 	(c), clause (2); the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners; or the Medical Council 
3.21 	of Canada; and
3.22 	(2) have a current license from the equivalent licensing agency in another state or Canada 
3.23 	and, if the examination in clause (1) was passed more than ten years ago, either:
3.24 	(i) pass the Special Purpose Examination of the Federation of State Medical Boards with 
3.25 	a score of 75 or better(SPEX) within three attempts; or
3.26 	(ii) have a current certification by a specialty board of the American Board of Medical 
3.27 	Specialties, of the American Osteopathic Association, the Royal College of Physicians and 
3.28 	Surgeons of Canada, or of the College of Family Physicians of Canada; or
3.29 	(3) if the applicant fails to meet the requirement established in section 147.02, subdivision 
3.30 	1, paragraph (c), clause (2), because the applicant failed to pass within the permitted three 
3.31 	attempts each of steps or levels one, two, and three of the USMLE within the required three 
4.1 	attempts or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination 
4.2 	(COMLEX-USA), the applicant may be granted a license provided the applicant:
4.3 	(i) has passed each of steps or levels one, two, and three within no more than four attempts 
4.4 	for any of the three steps or levels with passing scores as recommended by the USMLE or 
4.5 	COMLEX-USA program within no more than four attempts for any of the three steps;
4.6 	(ii) is currently licensed in another state; and
4.7 	(iii) has current certification by a specialty board of the American Board of Medical 
4.8 	Specialties, the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Professional Education, the 
4.9 	Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or the College of Family Physicians 
4.10 	of Canada.
4.11 	(d) The applicant must not be under license suspension or revocation by the licensing 
4.12 	board of the state or jurisdiction in which the conduct that caused the suspension or revocation 
4.13 	occurred.
4.14 	(e) The applicant must not have engaged in conduct warranting disciplinary action against 
4.15 	a licensee, or have been subject to disciplinary action other than as specified in paragraph 
4.16 	(d). If an applicant does not satisfy the requirements stated in this paragraph, the board may 
4.17 	issue a license only on the applicant's showing that the public will be protected through 
4.18 	issuance of a license with conditions or limitations the board considers appropriate.
4.19 	(f) Upon the request of an applicant, the board may conduct the final interview of the 
4.20 	applicant by teleconference.

4.21 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 147.037, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
4.22 		Subdivision 1.Requirements. The board shall issue a license to practice medicine to 
4.23 	any person who satisfies the requirements in paragraphs (a) to (g).
4.24 	(a) The applicant shall satisfy all the requirements established in section 147.02, 
4.25 	subdivision 1, paragraphs (a), (e), (f), (g), and (h).
4.26 	(b) The applicant shall present evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant is a 
4.27 	graduate of a medical or osteopathic school approved by the board as equivalent to accredited 
4.28 	United States or Canadian schools based upon its faculty, curriculum, facilities, accreditation, 
4.29 	or other relevant data. If the applicant is a graduate of a medical or osteopathic program 
4.30 	that is not accredited by the Liaison Committee for Medical Education or the American 
4.31 	Osteopathic Association, the applicant may use the Federation of State Medical Boards' 
4.32 	Federation Credentials Verification Service (FCVS) or its successor. If the applicant uses 
5.1 	this service as allowed under this paragraph, the physician application fee may be less than 
5.2 	$200 but must not exceed the cost of administering this paragraph.
5.3 	(c) The applicant shall present evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant has 
5.4 	been awarded a certificate by the Educational Council for Foreign Medical Graduates, and 
5.5 	the applicant has a working ability in the English language sufficient to communicate with 
5.6 	patients and physicians and to engage in the practice of medicine.
5.7 	(d) The applicant shall present evidence satisfactory to the board of the completion of 
5.8 	one year of graduate, clinical medical training in a program accredited by a national 
5.9 	accrediting organization approved by the board or other graduate training approved in 
5.10 	advance by the board as meeting standards similar to those of a national accrediting 
5.11 	organization. This requirement does not apply to an applicant who is admitted pursuant to 
5.12 	the rules of the United States Department of Labor and:
5.13 	(1) to an applicant who is was admitted as a permanent immigrant to the United States 
5.14 	on or before October 1, 1991, as a person of exceptional ability in the sciences according 
5.15 	to Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, section 656.22(d); or
5.16 	(2) to an applicant holding who holds a valid license to practice medicine in another 
5.17 	country and was issued a permanent immigrant visa after October 1, 1991, as a person of 
5.18 	extraordinary ability in the field of science or as an outstanding professor or researcher 
5.19 	according to Code of Federal Regulations, title 8, section 204.5(h) and (i), or a temporary 
5.20 	nonimmigrant visa as a person of extraordinary ability in the field of science according to 
5.21 	Code of Federal Regulations, title 8, section 214.2(o),.
5.22 	provided that a person under clause (1) or (2) is admitted pursuant to rules of the United 
5.23 	States Department of Labor.
5.24 	(e) The applicant must:
5.25 	(1) have passed an examination prepared and graded by the Federation of State Medical 
5.26 	Boards, the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) program in accordance 
5.27 	with section 147.02, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), clause (2), or the Medical Council of 
5.28 	Canada; and
5.29 	(2) if the examination in clause (1) was passed more than ten years ago, either:
5.30 	(i) pass the Special Purpose Examination of the Federation of State Medical Boards with 
5.31 	a score of 75 or better within three attempts (SPEX) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic 
5.32 	Medical Variable-Purpose Examination of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical 
5.33 	Examiners (COMVEX). The applicant must pass the SPEX or COMVEX within no more 
6.1 	than three attempts of taking the SPEX, COMVEX, or a combination of the SPEX and 
6.2 	COMVEX; or
6.3 	(ii) have a current certification by a specialty board of the American Board of Medical 
6.4 	Specialties, of the American Osteopathic Association, of the Royal College of Physicians 
6.5 	and Surgeons of Canada, or of the College of Family Physicians of Canada; or
6.6 	(3) if the applicant fails to meet the requirement established in section 147.02, subdivision 
6.7 	1, paragraph (c), clause (2), because the applicant failed to pass within the permitted three 
6.8 	attempts each of steps or levels one, two, and three of the USMLE within the required three 
6.9 	attempts or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination 
6.10 	(COMLEX-USA), the applicant may be granted a license provided the applicant:
6.11 	(i) has passed each of steps or levels one, two, and three within no more than four attempts 
6.12 	for any of the three steps or levels with passing scores as recommended by the USMLE or 
6.13 	COMLEX-USA program within no more than four attempts for any of the three steps;
6.14 	(ii) is currently licensed in another state; and
6.15 	(iii) has current certification by a specialty board of the American Board of Medical 
6.16 	Specialties, the American Osteopathic Association, the Royal College of Physicians and 
6.17 	Surgeons of Canada, or the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
6.18 	(f) The applicant must not be under license suspension or revocation by the licensing 
6.19 	board of the state or jurisdiction in which the conduct that caused the suspension or revocation 
6.20 	occurred.
6.21 	(g) The applicant must not have engaged in conduct warranting disciplinary action 
6.22 	against a licensee, or have been subject to disciplinary action other than as specified in 
6.23 	paragraph (f). If an applicant does not satisfy the requirements stated in this paragraph, the 
6.24 	board may issue a license only on the applicant's showing that the public will be protected 
6.25 	through issuance of a license with conditions or limitations the board considers appropriate.

6.26 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 147.141, is amended to read:
6.27 	147.141 FORMS OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
6.28 	When the board finds that a licensed physician or a physician registered under section 
6.29 	147.032 has violated a provision or provisions of sections 147.01 to 147.22, it may do one 
6.30 	or more of the following:
6.31 	(1) revoke the license;
6.32 	(2) suspend the license;
7.1 	(3) revoke or suspend registration to perform interstate telehealth;
7.2 	(4) impose limitations or conditions on the physician's practice of medicine, including 
7.3 	limiting the limitation of scope of practice to designated field specialties; the imposition of
7.4 	imposing retraining or rehabilitation requirements; the requirement of requiring practice 
7.5 	under supervision; or the conditioning of continued practice on demonstration of knowledge 
7.6 	or skills by appropriate examination or other review of skill and competence;
7.7 	(5) impose a civil penalty not exceeding $10,000 for each separate violation, the amount 
7.8 	of the civil penalty to be fixed so as to deprive the physician of any economic advantage 
7.9 	gained by reason of the violation charged or to reimburse the board for the cost of the 
7.10 	investigation and proceeding;
7.11 	(6) order the physician to provide unremunerated professional service under supervision 
7.12 	at a designated public hospital, clinic, or other health care institution; or
7.13 	(7) censure or reprimand the licensed physician.

7.14 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 147A.16, is amended to read:
7.15 	147A.16 FORMS OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
7.16 	(a) When the board finds that a licensed physician assistant has violated a provision of 
7.17 	this chapter, it may do one or more of the following:
7.18 	(1) revoke the license;
7.19 	(2) suspend the license;
7.20 	(3) impose limitations or conditions on the physician assistant's practice, including 
7.21 	limiting the scope of practice to designated field specialties; imposing retraining or 
7.22 	rehabilitation requirements; or limiting practice until demonstration of knowledge or skills 
7.23 	by appropriate examination or other review of skill and competence;
7.24 	(4) impose a civil penalty not exceeding $10,000 for each separate violation, the amount 
7.25 	of the civil penalty to be fixed so as to deprive the physician assistant of any economic 
7.26 	advantage gained by reason of the violation charged or to reimburse the board for the cost 
7.27 	of the investigation and proceeding; or
7.28 	(5) censure or reprimand the licensed physician assistant.
7.29 	(b) Upon judicial review of any board disciplinary action taken under this chapter, the 
7.30 	reviewing court shall seal the administrative record, except for the board's final decision, 
7.31 	and shall not make the administrative record available to the public.

8.1 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 147B.02, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
8.2 		Subd. 4.Exceptions. (a) The following persons may practice acupuncture within the 
8.3 	scope of their practice without an acupuncture license:
8.4 	(1) a physician licensed under chapter 147;
8.5 	(2) an osteopathic physician licensed under chapter 147;
8.6 	(3) a chiropractor licensed under chapter 148;
8.7 	(4) a person who is studying in a formal course of study or tutorial intern program 
8.8 	approved by the acupuncture advisory council established in section 147B.05 so long as 
8.9 	the person's acupuncture practice is supervised by a licensed acupuncturist or a person who 
8.10 	is exempt under clause (5);
8.11 	(5) (4) a visiting acupuncturist practicing acupuncture within an instructional setting for 
8.12 	the sole purpose of teaching at a school registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher 
8.13 	Education, who may practice without a license for a period of one year, with two one-year 
8.14 	extensions permitted; and
8.15 	(6) (5) a visiting acupuncturist who is in the state for the sole purpose of providing a 
8.16 	tutorial or workshop not to exceed 30 days in one calendar year.
8.17 	(b) This chapter does not prohibit a person who does not have an acupuncturist license 
8.18 	from practicing specific noninvasive techniques, such as acupressure, that are within the 
8.19 	scope of practice as set forth in section 147B.06, subdivision 4.

8.20 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 147B.02, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
8.21 		Subd. 7.Licensure requirements. (a) After June 30, 1997, An applicant for licensure 
8.22 	must:
8.23 	(1) submit a completed application for licensure on forms provided by the board, which 
8.24 	must include the applicant's name and address of record, which shall be public;
8.25 	(2) unless licensed under subdivision 5 or 6, submit a notarized copy of a evidence 
8.26 	satisfactory to the board of current NCCAOM certification;
8.27 	(3) sign a statement that the information in the application is true and correct to the best 
8.28 	of the applicant's knowledge and belief;
8.29 	(4) submit with the application all fees required; and
8.30 	(5) sign a waiver authorizing the board to obtain access to the applicant's records in this 
8.31 	state or any state in which the applicant has engaged in the practice of acupuncture.
9.1 	(b) The board may ask the applicant to provide any additional information necessary to 
9.2 	ensure that the applicant is able to practice with reasonable skill and safety to the public.
9.3 	(c) The board may investigate information provided by an applicant to determine whether 
9.4 	the information is accurate and complete. The board shall notify an applicant of action taken 
9.5 	on the application and the reasons for denying licensure if licensure is denied.

9.6 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 147C.15, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
9.7 		Subd. 3.Temporary permit. (a) An applicant for licensure under this section may 
9.8 	request the board issue a temporary permit in accordance with this subdivision. Upon receipt 
9.9 	of the application for licensure, a request for a temporary permit, and a nonrefundable 
9.10 	respiratory therapist application fee as specified under section 147C.40, subdivision 5, the 
9.11 	board may issue a temporary permit to practice as a respiratory therapist to an applicant 
9.12 	eligible for licensure under this section if the application for licensure is complete, all 
9.13 	applicable requirements in this section have been met, and a nonrefundable fee set by the 
9.14 	board has been paid applicant is:
9.15 	(1) currently licensed to practice as a respiratory therapist in another state, territory, or 
9.16 	Canadian province; and
9.17 	(2) not subject to a pending investigation or disciplinary action in any state, territory, or 
9.18 	Canadian province.
9.19 	The (b) A temporary permit remains issued under this subdivision is nonrenewable and 
9.20 	valid only until the meeting of the board at which a decision is made on the respiratory 
9.21 	therapist's application for licensure or for 90 days, whichever occurs first.
9.22 	(c) The board may revoke a temporary permit that has been issued under this subdivision 
9.23 	if the applicant is the subject of an investigation or disciplinary action or is disqualified for 
9.24 	licensure for any other reason.
9.25 	(d) Notwithstanding section 13.41, subdivision 2, the board may release information 
9.26 	regarding any action taken by a board pursuant to this section.

9.27 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

9.28 	Sec. 9. REPEALER.
 9.29 	Minnesota Rules, parts 5610.0100; 5610.0200; and 5610.0300, are repealed.

APPENDIX 
5610.0100
[Repealed, L 2023 c 70 art 6 s 36] 

5610.0200
[Repealed, L 2023 c 70 art 6 s 36] 

5610.0300
[Repealed, L 2023 c 70 art 6 s 36]