LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Nevada is opening a new pathway for foreign trained doctors to practice medicine in the state.
Back in Cuba, Dr. Jose Alberto Rodriguez spent years treating patients with complex conditions from diabetes to infectious diseases, but when he immigrated to Las Vegas, none of that mattered. In order to practice medicine again, he would have to start over.
“I was working in the kitchen as a cook, you know, washing dishes and mopping the floor, frying chicken, I also drove for Uber, and I did a lot of things to survive in the first years in here in America,” Rodriguez said.
That fight to survive while dreaming of one day practicing again is finally paying off for Rodriguez. Governor Joe Lombardo signed Senate Bill 124, creating a path for foreign trained doctors to earn limited licenses, work under supervision for two years and eventually see patients on their own.
“It was unanimously passed between both chambers, and we’re very excited because for the first time we’re now going to have more doctors that get to serve in our state given the shortages that we’re having with primary care,” said State Sen. Fabian Doñate.
“Statistically 30% of the doctors that graduate here in Nevada stay in Nevada,” said director for the Governor’s Office for New Americans, Iris Ramos Jones.
The Governor’s Office for New Americans compiled a list of over 100 immigrant doctors, in Nevada legally, who are ready to serve the community. They’re already preparing, under this new law they have to prove English proficiency.
“Out of the 119 doctors and are on this list, 79 of them are right now enrolled in CSN and they are taking English and second language classes then in these classes are tailored specifically for the medical field,” Ramos Jones said.
For Rodriguez, this bill changed his life overnight– he explained this is a chance to return to his calling.
“This law is something big, so it’s going to change our life, my life and our Cuban doctors or Latin doctors here in America and especially in Nevada,” Rodriguez said.
The state is working with DETR to match doctors with hospitals and clinics in need so that when the moment comes, they can start helping Nevadans right away.
These doctors still must pass their exams and complete two supervised years before they can practice independently. SB 124 becomes effective July of 2026.
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