Getting Licensed in 5 States at Once: The IMLC Shortcut
If you’re looking to pick up assignments in multiple states quickly, you need to know about the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). I’ve personally never used it because only one of the three states where I practice participates, but it's useful to know about for any locums derm.
What is the IMLC?
The IMLC is an agreement between participating states to streamline the licensing process. Instead of filling out five different applications and waiting months for five different boards to vet you, you go through a single State of Principal License (SPL).
How it Works
You start by applying in your home state (the SPL). Once they verify your credentials, they send a "Letter of Qualification" to the IMLC. After that, you just choose which other participating states you want a license in and pay their specific fees. You can often get those additional licenses in just a few weeks.
Why it’s Great for Locums
Efficiency: It's much faster than applying to multiple states individually.
Flexibility: You can add new states to your portfolio at any time as long as your qualification letter is valid.
Less Paperwork: You only deal with the primary vetting process once.
The Catch
Not every state participates. If you live in a non-participating state, you can’t use the IMLC as your starting point. You also have to meet specific requirements, like having a clean disciplinary record and being board-certified.
The Bottom Line
The IMLC can be a massive time-saver. Check the IMLC map to see if your state's a participant. If you're in a participating state and anticipate gigs in other member states, it's worth considering for your next round of licenses.
