By Mariah Taylor

The Medical Association of the State of Alabama and the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners opened a new program that allows medical school graduates who did not match into residency programs to gain experience under a licensed physician.

The Bridge Year Graduate Physician Program will allow applicants to receive a permit to practice medicine under an Alabama-licensed physician, valid for one year and renewable for an additional year.

"There are many reasons medical graduates may not match into residency programs, often due to limited residency slots," William Perkins, executive director of the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, told the Tribune. "The Bridge Year program will help alleviate Alabama's physician shortage and provide these graduates with additional training as they reapply for residency."

Alabama is the 11th state to implement a program like this.

Established under the Physician Workforce Act signed in 2023, the law also streamlines the process for out-of-state physicians to practice by removing an in-person testing requirement and allowing international medical graduates to apply a year earlier during their training.