The questions physicians ask most are whether the compact is faster (yes, for member states), whether it produces one license or several (several), whether it consolidates CME (no), and whether it covers California and New York (no).
What Is the IMLC?
The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) is a multistate licensing agreement that streamlines the process for physicians to obtain licenses in participating states. It allows eligible doctors to apply once and get licensed in over 35 jurisdictions.
Do I Get One License for All States?
No. You get individual licenses for each state, but the IMLC makes applying for them fast and centralized. You still pay each state’s fee and renew them separately.
Is the IMLC Only for Telemedicine?
No. The IMLC supports in-person care, telehealth, locum tenens, and contract work. It’s a tool for any physician who needs flexibility across state lines.
Who Is Eligible for the IMLC?
You must:
- Have a full, unrestricted license in a compact state
- Be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
- Be board certified or have passed your final licensing exam within 3 years
- Have no disciplinary or criminal history
How Long Does It Take?
Anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on fingerprinting, your State of Principal License (SPL), and state response times — see our full timeline breakdown.
What’s the IMLC Application Fee?
$700, paid to the IMLC when you apply. This does not include individual state license fees.
How Much Are State Licenses?
Fees vary by state, usually between $75 and $600. You pay each one separately.
Do I Need to Renew Through the IMLC?
No. Once licensed, you renew each state license directly with the respective state board. The IMLC does not handle renewals.
Do NPs or PAs Qualify?
No. The IMLC is for MDs and DOs only. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants follow separate licensing paths.
Can I Practice in Non-Compact States?
Yes, but not through the IMLC. You must apply directly to those states — like California, New York, or Florida — using their traditional licensing processes.
What If I Move States?
If you move and your SPL no longer qualifies, you can’t request new licenses through the IMLC. But you can still maintain any existing licenses you’ve already obtained.
Can I Reuse My LOQ?
Yes — but only for a limited time. A Letter of Qualification (LOQ) is valid for 365 days. After that, you must reapply if you want new licenses.
Is There a Limit to How Many States I Can Apply To?
No. You can apply to every participating IMLC state if you choose — as long as you pay the fees and maintain good standing.
Can I Speed Up the Process?
Yes. Submit your fingerprints immediately, use accurate info, and follow up with your SPL if there's no progress after 2 weeks.
Can I Do It Myself or Should I Hire Help?
You can do it yourself — many do. But for multi-state applications or time-sensitive roles, a licensing service can be worth the investment. See our concierge pricing for the managed pathway.
Still Have Questions?
The IMLC is one of the most physician-friendly licensing innovations in decades. Whether you’re expanding your practice, working locums, or launching a telehealth business, it gives you legal access to more patients — faster and with less hassle. Understanding how it works puts you in control of your career mobility.
The question behind most of the others
Physicians usually arrive expecting the compact to be a single national license. It is not, and almost every follow-up question — about CME, renewals, fees and discipline — resolves once that is clear.
What the compact removed is the duplication of verifying the same physician fifty times. What it left in place is fifty separate licenses, each behaving exactly as it always did.
Common questions
- Is the IMLC faster than applying directly?
- For member states, substantially. One eligibility review replaces separate applications, and licenses then issue in days rather than months.
- Do I get one license or several?
- Several. Each state issues its own license with its own renewal, fee and CME requirement.
- Does the compact reduce my CME burden?
- No. Every license carries its state’s full requirement. The compact addresses issuance only.
- Does it cover California and New York?
- No. Neither participates, and both require conventional applications regardless of compact eligibility.
- Who is not eligible?
- Physicians without board certification, without a qualifying state of principal license, or with disciplinary history or a pending investigation.
Need Help with Your Application?
We handle the IMLC and single-state medical license process end-to-end — eligibility screening, documents, board follow-ups, and tracking.