A 8175: Authorizes nurses and doctors licensed and in good standing in Puerto Rico to practice in New York State.

  
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 8175 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN ASSEMBLY May 5, 2025 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. BICHOTTE HERMELYN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to authorizing nurses and doctors licensed in Puerto Rico to practice in New York state The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as 2 the "Puerto Rico Healthcare Professional Reciprocity Act". 3 § 2. Legislative findings and intent. The legislature finds that the 4 Commonwealth of Puerto Rico maintains rigorous educational and licensing 5 standards for healthcare professionals, comparable to those of New York 6 state. Expanding practice eligibility for nurses and physicians licensed 7 in Puerto Rico will help address critical healthcare workforce shortages 8 and ensure high-quality medical services for New York's residents. 9 § 3. Section 6905 of the education law is amended by adding a new 10 subdivision 9 to read as follows: 11 (9) Puerto Rico: An applicant who holds a current and valid license 12 as a registered professional nurse issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto 13 Rico shall be deemed to have satisfied the educational and examination 14 requirements under this section, provided that the applicant meets all 15 other applicable requirements, including character and fitness, as 16 determined by the department. 17 § 4. Section 6908 of the education law is amended by adding a new 18 subdivision 3 to read as follows: 19 3. This article shall not be construed to prohibit persons licensed as 20 registered professional nurses by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from 21 practicing in New York state upon registration with the department and 22 verification of licensure in good standing, without the necessity of 23 additional examination. 24 § 5. Section 6524 of the education law is amended by adding a new 25 subdivision 12 to read as follows: EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD11883-01-5 
 A. 8175 2 1 (12) An applicant who holds a current and valid license as a physician 2 or surgeon issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be deemed to 3 have satisfied the professional education and examination requirements 4 under this section, provided that the applicant meets all other applica- 5 ble requirements, including character, fitness, and completion of a 6 residency program as determined by the department. 7 § 6. Section 6526 of the education law is amended by adding a new 8 subdivision 11 to read as follows: 9 11. Any physician who is licensed and in good standing in Puerto Rico 10 shall be eligible to apply for licensure in New York state without being 11 required to retake national licensing examinations, provided that 12 verification of education, training, and good standing is furnished to 13 the department. 14 § 7. This act shall take effect immediately.