1. A. Eligibility. To be eligible for the program the individual shall:

   1. (1) Meet the licensure requirements set forth in §B of this regulation;
   2. (2) Be a United States citizen or national;
   3. (3) Be liable and personally owe educational debt;
   4. (4) Have a valid employment contract with an eligible practice site in the State that will be in effect by the start of any service obligation to be fulfilled;
   5. (5) Provide evidence of practice as either part-time or full-time at that eligible practice site;
   6. (6) Practice full-time or part-time providing health care services at an eligible practice site, with at least 80 percent of time spent in direct patient care for a minimum of 45 weeks per year; and
   7. (7) Utilize Program funds for the repayment of eligible education loans.

2. B. Licensure Requirements. To be eligible for the program, an individual shall be one of the following:

   1. (1) A physician possessing active and valid licensure without restrictions or encumbrances to practice Allopathic Medicine in the State;
   2. (2) A physician possessing active and valid licensure without restrictions to or encumbrances to practice Osteopathic Medicine in the State;
   3. (3) A physician assistant possessing active and valid licensure without restriction or encumbrances in the State; or
   4. (4) A final year medical resident who is specializing in primary care and overseen by a postgraduate training program in the State.

3. C. Eligibility Restrictions. An individual may not be eligible for the Program if they have:

   1. (1) A federal or state judgment lien;
   2. (2) Defaulted on any federal or state payment obligations even if the governmental creditor now considers them to be in good standing;
   3. (3) Breached a prior service obligation to federal, state, or local government or other entity, even if the obligation is subsequently satisfied;
   4. (4) Any federal or non-federal debt written off as uncollectible or received a waiver of any service or payment obligation;
   5. (5) Any outstanding contractual obligations for a health care professional service to the federal government, another state loan repayment program, or other entity unless those service obligations are completely satisfied prior to the commencement of the Program service obligation; and
   6. (6) Received the two maximum awards for service obligations to the Program.

4. D. Eligible Practice Sites. An eligible practice site shall:

   1. (1) Be an eligible field of employment in accordance with Health-General Article, §24–1704, Annotated Code of Maryland;
   2. (2) Be physically located in the State;
   3. (3) Provide services to all patients regardless of their ability to pay; and

   4. (4) If the practice site charges for health care professional services:

      1. (a) Charge at the usual and customary prevailing rate;
      2. (b) Utilize a financial aid policy of discounts or sliding fee scale for individuals with limited incomes; and
      3. (c) Accept reimbursement from Medicare, the Maryland Medical Assistance Program, and the Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program, if applicable to the patient type.

Authority: Health-General Article, §24–1701—24-1708, ; and Health Occupations Article, §§14–207 and 15–206(c), Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: March 2, 2026 (53:4 Md. R. 184)