North Carolina has enacted House Bill 67 (H67), a new law that permits foreign-trained doctors to practice in the state with minimal requirements, bypassing traditional U.S. medical licensing examinations such as the USMLE and residency training. The legislation authorizes the state to partner with an affiliate of the World Health Organization (WHO), specifically the International Association of Regulatory Authorities, to vet foreign doctors, including those from countries considered hostile by some, such as China, Iran, Syria, Gaza, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, India, and Mexico. This shift effectively outsources the credentialing process from the North Carolina Medical Board to an international body, raising concerns about patient safety and the quality of care. Critics, including board-certified internist and cardiologist Dr. Anish Koka and U.S. Senate candidate Don Brown, warn that the law lowers medical licensing standards and could jeopardize healthcare quality, especially in rural areas. The law imposes no caps on the number of foreign doctors licensed and does not restrict applicants from adversarial nations. It has drawn criticism for potentially allowing practitioners with limited English proficiency and varying educational standards to treat patients, including veterans who fought under the American flag. The law has also faced scrutiny for its political backing, with allegations that lobbyists and certain lawmakers, such as State Senator Benton Sawrey, have promoted the bill to benefit hospital systems and pharmaceutical companies. Opponents argue that the legislation undermines American-trained physicians, who face lengthy and costly training processes, and could lead to a healthcare system reliant on cheaper foreign labor with less rigorous oversight. The North Carolina Medical Board itself has been criticized for past failures in policing misconduct among licensed doctors. The controversy has sparked calls to repeal or amend H67 to restore traditional licensing standards and prioritize patient safety.