What is the IMLC?
The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact is a voluntary agreement among US states that:
Streamlines Licensing: One application, expedited processing for multiple states
Maintains State Authority: States retain full authority over licensure
Enables Telemedicine: Facilitates legal practice across state lines
Launched: 2017, now includes 43+ member states
The IMLC is administered by the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission, with each member state having a seat.
Member States (2026)
As of 2026, IMLC member states include:
Full Members: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and more.
Pending/Partial: California, Oregon (implementation in progress)
Not Members: New York (notable absence)
Check imlcc.org for the current list as states continue to join.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for IMLC expedited licensing, physicians must:
Education: Graduate of an LCME or AOA-accredited medical school (or meet ECFMG requirements for IMGs)
Training: Complete ACGME or AOA-accredited residency
Examinations: Pass USMLE or COMLEX within allowed attempts
License Status: Hold a full, unrestricted license in a member state (State of Principal License)
Discipline: No disciplinary actions against any medical license
Criminal History: No felony convictions
DEA: No DEA sanctions
If you meet these requirements, you can apply for licenses in any member state through the IMLC portal.
The IMLC Application Process
The streamlined process works as follows:
Step 1: Designate your State of Principal License (SPL) - where you practice most
Step 2: Apply through the IMLC portal (imlcc.org)
Step 3: Pay IMLC processing fee ($700) plus each state's license fee
Step 4: IMLC verifies your credentials centrally
Step 5: Member states issue licenses (typically 3-4 weeks)
The key advantage: credentials are verified once and accepted by all member states, eliminating redundant paperwork.
Costs and Fees
IMLC licensing involves these costs:
IMLC Processing Fee: $700 (one-time, regardless of number of states)
State License Fees: $100-$600 per state (varies by state)
Example (5 states): $700 + (5 × $300 average) = $2,200 total
Compare to traditional licensing: 5 separate applications, potentially 5 background checks, 15-30 weeks total processing time.