Credentialing & Licensing

Interstate Medical Licensure Compact states list and guide for 2025

July 28, 2025
Graphic depiction of IMLC states with a photo of a physician overlaid

Last updated July 28, 2025 — North Carolina has introduced legislation to join the Compact, but the implementation has been delayed. Pennsylvania is now an IMLC state issuing licenses.

The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) speeds up and simplifies the process of obtaining a medical license in additional states. Currently, 42 U.S. states, plus Washington D.C. and Guam have joined the compact.

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 39 states, plus Washington D.C and Guam, currently accepting applications for expedited licensure.

map of the US with status of states in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
  • Alabama

  • Arizona

  • Colorado

  • Connecticut*

  • Delaware

  • District of Columbia

  • Florida

  • Georgia

  • Guam

  • Hawaii

  • Idaho

  • Illinois

  • Indiana

  • Iowa

  • Kansas

  • Kentucky

  • Louisiana

  • Maine

  • Maryland

  • Michigan

  • Minnesota

  • Mississippi

  • Missouri

  • Montana

  • Nebraska

  • Nevada

  • New Hampshire

  • New Jersey

  • North Dakota

  • Ohio

  • Oklahoma

  • Pennsylvania

  • South Dakota

  • Tennessee

  • Texas

  • Utah

  • Vermont*

  • Washington

  • West Virginia

  • Wisconsin

  • Wyoming

*Connecticut and Vermont are not considered “States of Principle Licensure.” This means you cannot enter into the compact through a CT or VT license. However, you can 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:

  • Arkansas

  • North Carolina

  • Rhode Island

The following states have introduced legislation to join the compact:

  • Massachusetts

  • New Mexico

  • New York

IMLC quick facts

Calendar icon

Average wait time for license:
19 days

physician license icon

Average number of licenses obtained:
3

male doctor icon

Approval rate for applicants:
90%

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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 qualification page.

Where to go for help

For more instructional videos on how the IMLC works, view CompHealth's IMLC video playlist on YouTube or click on the links below:

For more information about the compact, visit the IMLCC’s website or watch the instructional video below:

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 in another state? Check out our physician job openings, many of which are in IMLC member states.

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About the Author

Gerry Carpenter

Gerry Carpenter is the managing editor for CHG Healthcare. He is a 25-year marketing veteran who loves to write, edit, and play with words. He enjoys visiting new places, speaks fluent French, and is slowly learning Portuguese and Japanese.

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