Graduate physicians have also been referred to as assistant physicians, associate physicians or bridge physicians.
Due to a surplus of medical schools and a shortage of residency spots, many medical school graduates have not acquired a residency slot. These laws are designed to allow graduate physicians to practice medicine and hone their skills under a supervising physician until they are accepted to a residency program.
Each state has a cap on how long these physicians can practice medicine before reapplying for residency; these lengths of time vary. For example, after two years in Tennessee, a graduate physician will no longer be able to practice medicine until they enter residency.
The following are states with graduate physician laws in place, according to Cato Institute: