(a) The board is authorized to accept the certificates of licensure from other states as long as the applicant's certificates and qualifications meet or exceed the requirements set forth in § 63-6-207 and the rules promulgated pursuant thereto.

(b) The board is likewise authorized to accept certificates of license from other states or countries and grant licenses to practice medicine in Tennessee to individuals who, at the sole discretion of the board based upon its examination and evaluation of such individuals' credentials, qualifications and reputation within the medical community, qualify as distinguished faculty members at a rank of full professor and upon application and payment of a nonrefundable licensure fee as determined by the board. This type of license shall authorize the practice of medicine in conjunction with a faculty appointment and shall automatically expire at any time the licensee fails to maintain a full-time appointment. The board shall retain the sole discretionary authority to grant or deny annual renewal of such licenses. To be considered for licensure pursuant to this subsection (b), an individual must meet each of the following minimum criteria:

(1) Possess a degree of doctor of medicine or its equivalent;

(2) Have a full-time appointment at professorial rank at an accredited college of medicine in Tennessee;

(3) Have current membership in good standing in medical specialty societies that have restricted and selective membership;

(4) Have been invited to be a lecturer or visiting professor at medical educational institutions either abroad or within the United States;

(5) Have delivered scholarly medical papers before national or international meetings; and

(6) Possess letters of support from the dean of the appointing college of medicine and its appropriate department chairs, as well as from academic colleagues from outside of Tennessee attesting to the individual's distinguished status.

(c) For purposes of enforcing federal immigration laws which relate to the licensure of foreign physicians in this state, the board of medical examiners shall enter into a written agreement, in accordance with federal and other applicable law, between the board and the United States department of homeland security concerning the enforcement of federal immigration laws, which may include participation in the federal systematic alien verification of entitlements program, referred to as the “SAVE program,” and its verification information system, operated by the United States department of homeland security or a successor program designated by the United States department of homeland security or any additional certifying agent within the department or approved by the department.