WORCESTER, Mass. - A new law will make it easier for foreign-trained doctors to practice in Massachusetts.

It comes at a time when the state is dealing with a shortage of primary care providers.

The legislation is part of the economic development bill Gov. Maura Healey signed last month.

It removes the repeat residency requirement and creates a provisional license under which physicians can work before it becomes a permanent license.

The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition said hundreds of internationally-trained doctors live in the state and many are currently not able to work in the medical field because of these restrictions.

"Under provisional licensure, the first year is under a limited license. And these physicians will be mentor in a facility serving our state residents with a greatest need. And then once they're finished with that limited license, then they have two years of restricted practice in the sense that they have to practice in a shortage, specialty and shortage area or population in the state."

Amy Grunder is the director of state government affairs at the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition.

She said health leaders now need to develop regulations for the foreign-trained physician licensure.

She said it could be about a year before physicians can apply for them.