Observerships for Unlicensed Physicians

This policy statement is not a legally binding opinion of the board, but is only intended to provide guidance to the public. The board may make formal policy only through administrative rules, declaratory orders or contested case decisions.

State law does not allow a physician who is not licensed in Iowa to provide hands-on care except in certain circumstances. The board cautions physicians not to provide clinical experience with patients for graduates of international or domestic medical schools when the graduate is not licensed in Iowa as a physician. While the Iowa-licensed physician may offer such a graduate the opportunity to observe, the observer may not provide direct patient care, regardless of the level of supervision.