September 2025 Healthcare Workforce Division Newsletter

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September 2025

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Welcome to the September 2025 edition of the Healthcare Workforce Division newsletter!

This month’s newsletter will focus on the Conrad 30/J1 Visa Waiver Program and the Office of Nursing Program’s (ONP) collaboration with Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) & the Michigan Board of Nursing (BON).

 

Conrad 30/J-1 Visa Waiver Program

MDHHS acts as the Interested Governmental Agency (IGA) for the Michigan State Conrad 30/J-1 Visa Waiver Program and may sponsor waiver applications each fiscal year for qualified J-1 Visa physicians. Under the Conrad 30 Program, each state may recommend up to 30 physicians to receive a waiver of the 2-year home residence requirement for the J-1 Visa in exchange for a commitment of 3-years of service in an underserved area.

The Conrad 30/J-1 Visa Waiver Program application cycle begins on the first business day in September and closes on the first business day of November of any given cycle year. For 2025 [FY26], the application cycle began on Monday, 09/01/2025, and will close on Monday, 11/03/2025. If 30 or more applications are received during the application period, each J-1 Visa Waiver candidate will be evaluated based on the information provided in the application which will affect the final determination. 

This year’s application cycle will be the first in which applications are collected online via the State of Michigan File Transfer Application. Applicants (or their lawyers) will need to request access to this system before they can apply and are encouraged to do so early to ensure access is received ahead of the application deadline. Instructions for how to request access for the SOM File Transfer Application can be found on the program website.

Additional information regarding the Conrad 30/J1 Visa Waiver Program can be found here. The 2025 [FY26] Conrad 30-J-1 Visa Waiver Program application, guidelines, and attachments can be found here. For additional information or inquiries regarding the Conrad 30/J-1 Visa Waiver Program, please contact Sarah Kleis at KleisS1@michigan.gov.

 

ONP - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) - Michigan Board of Nursing (BON)

The Office of Nursing Programs (ONP) receives its funding from the Nurse Professional Fund which is supported by nursing license fees and managed by Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Also associated with LARA is the Michigan Board of Nursing (BON). The ONP works closely with both LARA and the BON to ensure alignment on strategic initiatives and outcomes. The ONP provides biannual verbal updates to the BON, typically occurring in January and September. The updates reflect progress on the accomplishment of activities associated with the responsibilities of the ONP and projected upcoming work. The ONP is looking forward to providing a current update at the September 11^th BON meeting. For additional information regarding ONP’s collaboration with LARA and BON, please contact Case Klein at KleinC7@michigan.gov.

 

Upcoming Opportunities & Other Updates

• Rural Health Transformation Program Funding Priorities Survey– Rural providers, community partners, Medicaid beneficiaries, and rural community residents are asked to complete this survey to assist MDHHS in determining the activities the State should prioritize with the Rural Health Transformation Program funding opportunity. Please complete this survey no later than 5 p.m., EST, Monday, Sept 22
• The next federal required National Shortage Designation Update (NSDU) is on September 23, 2025 – Several Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) designations will be placed in proposed for withdrawal status. More information about the NSDU results, areas at risk of losing HPSA status, and next steps will be shared in the October Newsletter.

 

Healthcare Workforce Division Staff