By Melissa Wirkus Hagstrom, contributor Aug 03, 2020
Whether you want to take your clinical practice to a new area of
the United States, or you want to expand your telemedicine offerings to include
patients from multiple states, growing your practice requires special
consideration for licensing.
The Interstate Medical Licensure
Compact (IMLC) was created to help physicians provide care
across state lines by streamlining the licensing process.
According to the IMLC’s website, “the 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. Applying
for licensure through the Compact eliminates the need to manage multiple
applications — including the time and expense of communicating with more than
one state medical board.”
As
of June 24, 2020, there are 27 states
currently participating in the IMLC, in addition to Guam; two additional states
and the District of Columbia have passed the legislation, but it has yet to be
implemented. Physicians must meet eligibility
requirements to apply with the Compact, and their State of Principal License
(SPL) must participate.
LEARN
MORE about the IMLC.
Four noteworthy
states in the IMLC
Let’s take a look at four states in the IMLC that have plenty of
opportunities for physicians—to work and explore. These doctor licensure compact
states making waves are:
Arizona
The gem of the Southwest features bustling medical communities
in cities like Tucson and Phoenix. Practitioners in Arizona will find both
larger healthcare facilities as well as smaller rural settings like those on
the outskirts of Yuma. Arizona’s Compact legislation went into effect in May of
2016 and since then it has been processing SPL applications and issuing
licenses.
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LOCUM JOBS IN ARIZONA
South Dakota
This Midwestern state was one of the early adopters of the IMLC,
with legislation going through back in 2015. Because of the state’s sparse
population, doctors here can easily practice telemedicine in order to reach
patients who live in very rural areas without a lot of access to quality
medical care. By joining the IMLC, providers can now live in other states and
still provide care to South Dakota residents. Additionally, physicians can take
locum tenens assignments here in between jobs, or to supplement their regular
practice.
FIND LOCUM JOBS IN
SOUTH DAKOTA
Colorado
Home
to the beautiful Rocky Mountains and a thriving medical scene, Colorado is an
excellent option for physicians of all backgrounds and practice areas. From the
bustling metropolis of Denver to desirable communities like Colorado Springs,
Boulder, Aspen and Fort Collins, physicians will find an excellent work/life
balance here. The state is also bordered by several other IMLC states such as
Utah, Kansas, Arizona, Wyoming and Nebraska, making it easy to expand your
practice to nearby locations.
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LOCUM JOBS IN COLORADO
Michigan
At the heart of the Great Lakes Region, Michigan is home to world-class
medical facilities and renowned natural beauty. It is the only state that can
claim it borders four of the five Great Lakes. According to U.S. News and World Report rankings of the Best Hospitals, 26 meet
high U.S. News standards and are
ranked in the state. Michigan is newer to the IMLC, joining just last year.
This state is also unique in that it is home to big cities like Detroit and Ann
Arbor, as well as smaller rural communities. There are also many neighboring
compact states including Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota.
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LOCUM JOBS IN MICHIGAN
For more information on the IMLC or locum tenens opportunities
in these and other states, contact a recruitment
specialist at Staff Care.
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