General Requirements

The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC or Compact) offers a voluntary, expedited pathway to licensure for qualified physicians who wish to practice in multiple states. The Compact significantly streamlines the licensing process. Physicians interested in licensure through the Compact should review all IMLC criteria and Compact rules to ensure qualifications can be met for licensure through this pathway prior to applying.

STATE OF PRINCIPAL LICENSURE DESIGNATION

To participate in the IMLC, a physician must designate a member state as his or her State of Principal Licensure (SPL) before obtaining an expedited license through the Compact. An SPL must be a member jurisdiction where the physician possesses a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine and that is:

  • The state of primary residence of the physician;
  • The state where at least 25 percent of the physician’s practice of medicine occurs;
  • The location of the physician’s employer; or
  • The state designated as the physician’s state of residence for purpose of federal income tax if no state qualifies under the above provisions.

A physician may redesignate a member jurisdiction as his or her SPL at any time, provided the jurisdiction meets one of the criteria stated above. See the map of states currently participating in the Compact.

When a physician designates Florida as his or her SPL, the board office, in addition to verifying eligibility to participate in the Compact, will perform a criminal background check of the applicant. If all requirements are met, the SPL will approve the issuance of a Letter of Qualification (LOQ), which will be sent to the physician via email by the IMLC. An LOQ is valid for 365 days from its date of issuance. There are no waivers of this time limit; however, a physician may apply for a new LOQ after 365 days from issuance of the initial LOQ.

Licensure through the Compact

For expedited licensure through the IMLC, an applicant must meet the following requirements (see section 456.4501, Florida Statutes):

  • Is a graduate of a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, or a medical school listed in the International Medical Education Directory or its equivalent.
  • Passed each component of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX‐USA) within three attempts, or any of its predecessor examinations accepted by a state medical board as an equivalent examination for licensure purposes.
  • Successfully completed graduate medical education approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association.
  • Hold specialty certification or a time‐unlimited specialty certificate recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association’s Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists; however, the specialty certification or a time‐unlimited specialty certificate does not have to be maintained once a physician is initially determined to be eligible for expedited licensure through the Compact.
  • Possess a full and unrestricted license to engage in the practice of medicine issued by a member board. See the map of states currently participating in the Compact.
  • Has never been convicted or received adjudication, deferred adjudication, community supervision, or deferred disposition for any offense by a court of appropriate jurisdiction.
  • Has never held a license authorizing the practice of medicine subjected to discipline by a licensing agency in any state, federal, or foreign jurisdiction, excluding any action related to nonpayment of fees related to a license.
  • Has never had a controlled substance license or permit suspended or revoked by a state or the United States Drug Enforcement Administration; and is not under active investigation by a licensing agency or law enforcement authority in any state, federal, or foreign jurisdiction.

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General Requirements

The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC or Compact) offers a voluntary, expedited pathway to licensure for qualified physicians who wish to practice in multiple states. The Compact significantly streamlines the licensing process. Physicians interested in licensure through the Compact should review all IMLC criteria and Compact rules to ensure qualifications can be met for licensure through this pathway prior to applying.

STATE OF PRINCIPAL LICENSURE DESIGNATION

To participate in the IMLC, a physician must designate a member state as his or her State of Principal Licensure (SPL) before obtaining an expedited license through the Compact. An SPL must be a member jurisdiction where the physician possesses a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine and that is:

  • The state of primary residence of the physician;
  • The state where at least 25 percent of the physician’s practice of medicine occurs;
  • The location of the physician’s employer; or
  • The state designated as the physician’s state of residence for purpose of federal income tax if no state qualifies under the above provisions.

A physician may redesignate a member jurisdiction as his or her SPL at any time, provided the jurisdiction meets one of the criteria stated above. See the map of states currently participating in the Compact.

When a physician designates Florida as his or her SPL, the board office, in addition to verifying eligibility to participate in the Compact, will perform a criminal background check of the applicant. If all requirements are met, the SPL will approve the issuance of a Letter of Qualification (LOQ), which will be sent to the physician via email by the IMLC. An LOQ is valid for 365 days from its date of issuance. There are no waivers of this time limit; however, a physician may apply for a new LOQ after 365 days from issuance of the initial LOQ.

Licensure through the Compact

For expedited licensure through the IMLC, an applicant must meet the following requirements (see section 456.4501, Florida Statutes):

  • Is a graduate of a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, or a medical school listed in the International Medical Education Directory or its equivalent.
  • Passed each component of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX‐USA) within three attempts, or any of its predecessor examinations accepted by a state medical board as an equivalent examination for licensure purposes.
  • Successfully completed graduate medical education approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association.
  • Hold specialty certification or a time‐unlimited specialty certificate recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association’s Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists; however, the specialty certification or a time‐unlimited specialty certificate does not have to be maintained once a physician is initially determined to be eligible for expedited licensure through the Compact.
  • Possess a full and unrestricted license to engage in the practice of medicine issued by a member board. See the map of states currently participating in the Compact.
  • Has never been convicted or received adjudication, deferred adjudication, community supervision, or deferred disposition for any offense by a court of appropriate jurisdiction.
  • Has never held a license authorizing the practice of medicine subjected to discipline by a licensing agency in any state, federal, or foreign jurisdiction, excluding any action related to nonpayment of fees related to a license.
  • Has never had a controlled substance license or permit suspended or revoked by a state or the United States Drug Enforcement Administration; and is not under active investigation by a licensing agency or law enforcement authority in any state, federal, or foreign jurisdiction.