Physicians and surgeons: special faculty permits: academic medical centers.

Senator Rubio's legislation modifies California's special faculty permit program by creating an alternative pathway for National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers to qualify as academic medical centers. Under the revised framework, these centers must train at least 25 resident or fellow physicians annually in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) programs, compared to the standard requirement of 250 residents for other facilities.

The bill adjusts accreditation requirements for cancer centers, maintaining ACGME accreditation while removing the Western Association of Schools and Colleges requirement. It also revises the permit review process by requiring the academic medical center representative on the review committee to come from a facility training at least 250 residents annually. Each academic medical center may now receive approval for up to five special faculty permits per calendar year, replacing the previous collective limit.

Special faculty permits continue to restrict practice to medical schools, academic medical centers, and their affiliated institutions where permit holders provide instruction. Permit holders must demonstrate academic eminence through either a full professor appointment or outstanding achievement in their field, possess a valid medical license from another jurisdiction, and meet other existing eligibility criteria. Time spent under these permits does not count toward postgraduate training requirements or examination waivers for standard medical licensure.