Few generalizations can be made about graduates of medical schools outside of the United States and Canada, as these graduates vary tremendously in educational and cultural background. Of primary concern is the foreign medical graduate, with inferior education and limited knowledge of English, who does not qualify for regular licensure in the United States but who, because of acute manpower shortages, is placed in a position of authority in a state hospital. This situation is possible because of existing state laws. (JAMA232:1034-1035, 1975)