What AB 2386 does
An act to add Section 2126.1 to, and to add Article 6.2 (commencing with Section 2128) to Chapter 5 of Division 2 of, the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts.
Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California to license and regulate the practice of medicine. Former law, repealed as of January 1, 2025, established the Licensed Physicians and Dentists from Mexico Pilot Program, which allowed up to 30 licensed physicians and up to 30 licensed dentists from Mexico to practice medicine or dentistry in California for a period not to exceed 3 years, in accordance with certain requirements. Existing law, operative January 1, 2025, instead, establishes within the act the Licensed Physicians from Mexico Program, which authorizes the board to issue a limited number of nonrenewable 3-year physician’s and surgeon’s licenses to licensed physicians from Mexico who meet specified criteria.
This bill would require the board to issue a full and unrestricted physician’s and surgeon’s license to a person who has completed 2 3-year terms of the Licensed Physicians from Mexico Program or the former Licensed Physicians and Dentists from Mexico Pilot Program in good standing upon satisfaction of specified requirements, including having an offer of continued employment from a health care facility or practice in California.
This bill would establish the California Physician Expansion Act, which would require the board to issue a provisional license to an applicant who holds a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in another country who meets specified requirements, including that the applicant has not committed any acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of a certificate, as specified. In this regard, the bill would require the board to submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information required by the department of all applicants for a provisional license to determine whether the applicant has a criminal conviction record, as specified, and would require the department to provide a state- and federal-level response pursuant to specified provisions for the board to determine whether the applicant is subject to denial of licensure, as specified.
The bill would make the provisional license valid for 3 years and would authorize the board to grant a one-time renewal for an additional period of up to 3 years, as specified. The bill would require a provisional licensee to, among other things, be employed by, and practice medicine only within, a sponsoring entity, as specified. The bill would authorize the board to revoke a provisional license or take any other disciplinary action deemed appropriate by the board, as specified. The bill would deem a provisional licensee applicant who meets specified requirements, including having completed at least 36 months of practice under the provisional license without any disciplinary actions, to meet the professional instruction, preliminary education, and postgraduate training requirements for a certificate under the Medical Practice Act. The bill would require the board to establish application, initial licensure, renewal, and conversion fees for the provisional license, as specified. The bill would make findings and declarations relating to its provisions.
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the amended senate text, June 16, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Assemblymember Alvarez introduced AB 2386 on February 20, 2026, with coauthors Assembly Member Ávila Farías. The text was amended 3 times, 2 in the Assembly and 1 in the Senate, and heard in 6 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Assembly Floor, May 26, 2026: 54 ayes, 9 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Assembly Business and Professions, April 21, 2026: Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 12-2.
- Assembly Appropriations, May 14, 2026: Do pass., 11-2.
- Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development, June 22, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 7-2.
- Senate Appropriations, August 3, 2026: Placed on suspense file, 7-0.
Who supports and opposes AB 2386
The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development analysis dated June 19, 2026 lists 41 organizations in support and 4 in opposition. When Assembly Business and Professions first listed positions on April 17, 2026, the count was 53 in support and 7 opposed. By the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development analysis of June 19, 2026 it was 41 to 4.
In support: California Primary Care Association (sponsor); Altamed Health Services (sponsor); Aliados Health; Asian Americans for Community Involvement; Axis Community Health; California Consortium for Urban Indian Health; Camino Health Center; Clinica Monseñor Oscar A. Romero; and 33 more.
Opposed: California Association of Family Physicians; California Medical Association; Cedars Sinai; Medical Board of California.
Read the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development analysis.
What happens next
It is in Senate Appropriations. The last recorded action was on August 13, 2026.
The Governor can sign the bill, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until the decision, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect. If signed, most provisions take effect January 1, and implementation moves to the agencies named in the bill.
What it means for health care organizations
This is the stage where language still changes. Amendments taken in committee are the ones that reach the Governor, so an organization with a stake in the drafting has a reason to be in that conversation now rather than after the vote.
The health care group at Capitol Axis handles that for health care clients.
Questions about AB 2386
What does AB 2386 do?
This bill would require the board to issue a full and unrestricted physician’s and surgeon’s license to a person who has completed 2 3-year terms of the Licensed Physicians from Mexico Program or the former Licensed Physicians and Dentists from Mexico Pilot Program in good standing upon satisfaction of specified requirements, including having an offer of continued employment from a health care facility or practice in California.
Has AB 2386 passed the California Legislature?
It is in Senate Appropriations. The last recorded action was on August 13, 2026.
Who supports and opposes AB 2386?
The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development analysis dated June 19, 2026 lists 41 organizations in support and 4 in opposition. Supporters include California Primary Care Association (sponsor); Altamed Health Services (sponsor); Aliados Health. Opponents include California Association of Family Physicians; California Medical Association; Cedars Sinai.
What happens next with AB 2386?
It still has committee and floor votes ahead of it. Amendments taken now are the ones that reach the Governor, so this is the stage where language changes are still possible.