What Does IMLC Approval Actually Mean?
When you receive your Letter of Qualification (LOQ) from the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), you’ve cleared the most significant hurdle: credential verification through your State of Principal License (SPL). But this letter isn’t a license itself — it simply means you’re now eligible to request full medical licenses in any of the IMLC’s member states.
What Are the Next Steps After Getting Approved?
Once your LOQ is issued, you can immediately begin selecting the states where you want to be licensed. The process from here involves choosing states, paying licensing fees, and managing the paperwork required by each board.
How Do You Request Licenses in Additional States?
Log into your IMLC portal and choose from the available compact states. For each selected state, you’ll:
- Confirm your intent to apply for a license
- Review that state’s disclosure and licensing terms
- Pay the state’s application fee (varies by state)
After submission, the state medical board processes your request. Many states issue licenses within 1 to 7 business days after payment.
Is There a Limit to How Many States You Can Apply To?
No. You can request licensure in any and all IMLC-participating states. Each one requires a separate fee, but there’s no cap. Some physicians license in 3–5 states for locum work or telemedicine; others pursue 10+ for broader practice opportunities.
Will Each State Contact You Separately?
In most cases, yes. While the application runs through the IMLC, each state medical board handles your license issuance and follow-up. Expect emails or letters from individual boards confirming license approval, expiration dates, and renewal instructions.
How Do You Keep Track of All These Licenses?
This is a crucial step. Once you have licenses in multiple states, you are responsible for:
- Renewing each license on time (they don’t share the same expiration dates)
- Meeting CME or state-specific renewal requirements
- Reporting any disciplinary actions or investigations
We recommend using a spreadsheet, credentialing software, or working with a licensing management service to stay compliant.
What Happens If You Change Jobs or Move States?
If your SPL status changes — for example, if you move or no longer meet the 25% work requirement — your LOQ is no longer valid for new license applications. However, any licenses you already hold remain active as long as you maintain them individually with each board.
Can You Reuse the LOQ?
Only for a limited time. LOQs are typically valid for 365 days. During that window, you can continue requesting new licenses without reapplying. After it expires, you’d need to restart the process through a new SPL if you want to add more states.
Are There Any Additional Verification Steps?
Some states require additional identity verification or professional disclosures, even through the IMLC. This might include:
- Upload of medical school transcripts
- Attestation to past malpractice claims
- Additional forms confirming eligibility
These steps are generally simple but should be completed promptly to avoid delays.
What If You’re Denied by a State After LOQ?
Rare, but possible. A state board can deny your license if they uncover information not flagged during SPL verification or if you fail to meet a unique state-specific requirement. In such cases, you may appeal directly to that state’s board.
Final Thoughts
Getting approved through the IMLC is a major milestone — but it’s only part of the licensing journey. Each license you activate requires attention, compliance, and maintenance. Be proactive about managing deadlines and tracking your licenses.
The reward? Expanded practice reach, simplified credentialing, and the freedom to work across state lines without duplicating paperwork every time. With good organization, the post-approval phase of the IMLC can be just as seamless as the application itself.