Updated April 25th, 2022 to include the latest additions to state participation in the Compact.

If you're looking to get your medical license in another state, then you may want to consider going through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). The IMLC allows physicians with a multi-state license to accept locum tenens assignments in any state without hassle. It also helps staff medical facilities with qualifying physicians without the need to undergo a lengthy hiring process.

What is an Interstate Compact?

An interstate compact is a legal agreement that multiple states participate in. This agreement allows these states to work closely together in order to address issues across state borders. The IMLC is an agreement that lets states streamline the licensing process for physicians who want to practice in multiple states.

How Long Does it Take to Obtain an IMLC?

According to the IMLC Commission (IMLCC), the average time it takes to process applications is 57 days. This includes from the initial application to the license being issued. Between one-third and one-half of the licenses take around 20 days.

A key factor that affects the speed of processing applications is the fingerprint-based background check. This process involves going to the police station and submitting that information to the board.

Qualifications for Compact Licensure

Before applying to obtain an IMLC, it's important to know the qualifications. There are two types of eligibility requirements that you must meet: SPL eligibility and general eligibility. 

SPL eligibility requires applicants for compact licensure to hold a full, unrestricted medical license in a state that is a member of the Compact. This is called your State of Principal (SPL) License. The Compact currently includes 34 states, the District of Columbia and the Territory of Guam.

SPL eligibility also entails meeting at least one of the following requirements:

• Your primary residence is in the SPL
• At least 25% of where you practice medicine takes place in the SPL
• Your employer is located in the SPL
• You use the SPL as the state where you reside for tax purposes

Along with having SPL eligibility, you must also meet several general eligibility requirements for IMLC licensure. These include;

• Having graduated from an accredited medical school or a school listed in the International Medical Education Directory
• Having passed the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) in no more than three attempts
• Holding a current specialty certification

To qualify for IMLC licensure, you must also be free of any criminal history/investigation, controlled substance actions toward your medical license, or disciplinary actions toward your medical license.

How to Apply for Your IMLC

If you are a physician that has been through the standard licensure process, then you know how tedious it can be. The Compact was designed to make the process faster and easier for physicians to obtain multiple state licenses in just six simple steps: 

If you are eligible to obtain IMLC licensure, you can submit an application to the IMLCC. You'll need to provide your demographic and professional information. You'll be asked to select a state of Principal License where you already have a license. 

When applying for your IMLC, you'll be charged a non-refundable administrative fee. You also may need to pay additional fees for each state where you want to obtain your license. Then, you'll need to submit your fingerprints to a designated criminal justice agency in their State of Principal License. This step will start the criminal background check process.

After submitting your application, the state where you hold a principal license will review it. If you meet all the requirements, the State of Principal License will issue a formal Letter of Qualification. From there, you can choose the states within the IMLCC where you want to be licensed.

Get Started

Obtaining an IMLC license can help you reach more patients regardless of their location. The process for obtaining the license is usually fast and painless. If you are interested in learning more about how IMLC can broaden your locum tenens opportunities, contact Med X to speak with one of our knowledgable consultants or visit the IMLC Commission website.