Interstate Medical Licensure Compact providing expedited licensure in 39 states in 2024

Updated January 2, 2024.

The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission (IMLC) is now processing applications for expedited licensure in 39 states, the District of Columbia, and the territory of Guam. This makes the process for obtaining a medical license in these states simpler if you already hold your primary license in one of the participating states.

The IMLC creates another pathway for licensure and does not otherwise change a state’s existing Medical Practice Act. The IMLC also adopts a uniform and stringent standard for licensure and affirms that the practice of medicine occurs where the patient is located at the time of the physician-patient encounter. Upon licensure via the IMLC, the physician will be under the jurisdiction of the medical board in the state where the patient is located.

States accepting applications for expedited licensure through IMLC

39 states, the District of Columbia, and the territory of Guam now accept applications for expedited licensure:

*Alabama, Connecticut, and Vermont are not currently “States of Principle Licensure” (SLP). This means you are able to get a license issued for these states through the compact when you qualify through another SPL, but none of these states qualify as a SPL for licensing in other states.

**Hawaii, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island all have passed IMLC legislation, and the implementation is either in process or delayed.

Practice on the islands: What it’s like to work locum tenens in Hawaii

States that have introduced IMLC legislation

States that have introduced legislation to join the compact include:

• Massachusetts
• New York
• North Carolina

Qualification requirements for the IMLC

To qualify for this program, a physician must satisfy the following requirements:

• Possess an active, full, and unrestricted medical license in an SPL state and be a resident, have at least 25% of their medical practice, or be employed by an entity in that state
• Be a graduate of a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, or a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools
• Passed each component of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination within three attempts, or any predecessor examinations accepted by the state medical board in which you hold your primary license
• Successfully completed graduate medical education approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association
• Hold an active, time-limited specialty certification or a lifetime specialty certificate recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association
• Never been convicted, received adjudication, deferred adjudication, community supervision, or deferred disposition for a felony, gross misdemeanor, or crime of moral turpitude
• Never held a medical license subjected to discipline by a licensing agency in any state, federal, or foreign jurisdiction, excluding any action related to non-payment of fees related to a medical license
• Never had a controlled substance license or permit suspended or revoked by a state or the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
• Not be under active investigation by a licensing agency or law enforcement authority in any state, federal, or foreign jurisdiction

Get the details right: 4 things you need to know about getting licensed in a new state

How much does the IMLC cost to participate?

The cost to participate in the IMLC is $700 plus the cost of the license(s) in the state(s) where you want to practice.

The fee structure for each state varies. You can compare costs on the IMLC license costs comparison chart.

How to apply for the IMLC

To apply for the IMLC:

• Verify your eligibility to participate in the IMLC
• Register as a new user
• Complete the IMLC online application

The application fee is $700 and is non-refundable. Once registered, you can apply for as many licenses as you want from any of the participating member states. To request additional states later, you will be required to pay those state license fees along with $100 for requesting additional state licensure.

For answers to more frequently asked questions, check out the IMLC FAQ.

For more information on the compact, visit imlcc.org or call Weatherby Healthcare’s licensing department at 866.831.3727.

---