A law was created precisely to combat the growing deficit of doctors in the country, estimated at up to 124 thousand professionals by 2034
The news that Brazilian doctors will be able to work legally in Florida without having to undergo American medical residency has caught the attention of many health professionals.
The change represents an important turning point in the medical scenario in the United States, which is facing a serious shortage of professionals and increasingly needs to attract talent trained abroad.
Florida allows Brazilian doctors to work even without residency in the USA
The decision is part of new legislation approved by the Florida government, Senate Bill 7016, also known as the “Live Healthy” initiative.
The law was created precisely to combat the growing shortage of doctors in the country, estimated at up to 124 thousand professionals by 2034.
The aging of the population, the increase in chronic diseases and the limited number of educated residents in the USA are among the causes of the problem.
With the new law, doctors from Brazil and other countries can now apply for a license to practice in Florida even without having completed residency in the United States — as long as they meet certain criteria.
What are the requirements of the new law
To obtain the license, doctors must prove that they have worked in medicine in the four years prior to applying, in addition to being fluent in English and having a clean professional history.
It is also necessary to present postgraduate training equivalent to American medical residency.
Another important point is that, after approval, the professional must work for at least two consecutive years in a Florida healthcare institution.
This ensures that the state really benefits from the arrival of these new professionals.
Even with the flexibility, Brazilian doctors still need to obtain the ECFMG Certification — a certificate issued by Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduateswhich recognizes foreign medical degrees and ensures that training is compatible with American standards.
Opportunity for Brazilian doctors
Before this change, medical residency in the United States was one of the main obstacles for doctors trained outside the country.
The process was long, expensive and extremely competitive.
Now, with SB 7016, Florida opens its doors to experienced professionals who wish to practice medicine on American soil.
The Florida Board of Medicine, the body responsible for licensing, began implementing and regulating the new rules in 2025.
Each request will be evaluated individually, taking into account the doctor’s experience, history and qualifications.
Why Florida made this decision
The state is experiencing accelerated population growth and faces a high demand for health services, especially in underserved areas known as underserved regions.
In these regions, there is a shortage of doctors, and the arrival of foreign professionals can alleviate pressure on the public and private system.
Furthermore, Florida has a large presence of immigrants, including many Brazilians, which creates a culturally welcoming environment for new professionals.
The measure is also seen as a way to strengthen the health system and guarantee quality care for the population.
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