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Last updated July 19, 2023 — Alabama, Indiana, and Washington DC have implemented the compact and Hawaii's implementation is in process.
The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) makes the process for obtaining a medical license in 35 U.S. states and one territory 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 currently accepting applications for expedited licensure
There are currently 35 states and one territory accepting applications for expedited licensure:
- Alabama*
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut*
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
- Guam
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont*
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
*Alabama, Connecticut, and Vermont are not considered “States of Principle Licensure.” This means you cannot enter into the compact through an AL, CT, or VT license. However, you are able to get a license issued for these states through the compact once you have entered into the compact via another State of Principle Licensure.
Future state board participation:
The following states and districts have passed legislation to be part of the compact, but implementation has been delayed or is in progress. Questions regarding the current status and extent of these states’ and boards’ participation in the IMLC should be directed to the respective state boards:
- Hawaii
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
The following states have introduced legislation to join the compact:
- Massachusetts
- North Carolina
- New York
IMLC quick facts
Average number of licenses obtained: 3
Approval rate for applicants: 90%
Average wait time for license: 19 days
Percent of licenses available within a week: 51%
Qualification for Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC)
To determine if you qualify to participate in this program, review the requirements on the IMLC's Do I Qualify? page.
For more information about the compact, visit the IMLCC’s website at https://imlcc.org.
Where to go for help
For more instructional videos on how the IMLC works, view the IMLC video playlist or click on the links below:
- Do you qualify?
- State of primary licensure
- Your initial state selection
- Creating a secure portal account
- How to apply - Steps 1-2
- How to apply - Steps 3-7
- How to renew a license
- Adding more states
If you're interested in assistance in obtaining licensure through the compact, please reach out to your CompHealth representative or call our licensing department at 800.328.3065.
Looking for a new job or your next locum tenens assignment? Check out our physician job openings, many of which are in IMLC member states.
