Becoming licensed to practice healthcare in multiple Midwestern states just became much easier as Gov. Bruce Rauner approved the cross-state licensure compact for telemedicine. Illinois is the 11th state to adopt The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (“Compact”)[i]. “The Compact represents a national solution built upon, and reinforcing, a system of state-based regulation proven to protect patients and ensure the safe delivery of health care.[ii]”
Whether the impetus is living and working near state borders or practicing telemedicine, the Compact opens the door to more opportunities.
In certain areas of the country, like the Chicago area, it is common for healthcare professionals to live in one state and work in another. With the increase in popularity and acceptance, mobile healthcare, also known as telemedicine, there are many opportunities to grow a practice and serve more patients with the new technology making miles of roads and borders irrelevant to healthcare choices. The Compact not only opens the door to telemedicine practice within the Compact states, full medical practice rights are conferred upon qualifying doctors who participate and pay administrative fees.
The traditional path to multi-state licensure is time consuming and may be more of a burden than a benefit to healthcare professionals who want to practice in states other than their home state. Within the states adopting the Compact, a healthcare professional must meet nine eligibility requirements and pay the administrative fee, approximately $260, for each state within which cross-state licensure is sought. Since the criteria are pre-established, the entire process is streamlined under the Compact.
Compact eligibility requirements[iii]:
- Possess a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a Compact state
- Possess specialty certification or be in possession of a time unlimited specialty certificate
- Have no discipline on any state medical license
- Have no discipline related to controlled substances
- Not be under investigation by any licensing or law enforcement agency
- Have passed the USMLE or COMLEX within 3 attempts
- Have successfully completed a graduate medical education (GME) program
- Physicians who are ineligible for the expedited licensure process facilitated by the Compact would still be able to seek additional licenses in those states where they desire to practice, using traditional licensure processes.
Watch a video: Federation of State Medical Boards Roundtable Webinar, “Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Update”
Many of the Midwestern and interior states have either adopted or are in the legislative process of adopting the Compact. Illinois neighbors in Iowa have adopted the Compact, it is pending in Wisconsin. Indiana has yet to move forward. Healthcare administration professionals suggest more states will sign on to the Compact and adopt it into state law within the next 12 to 18 months.
Michael V. Favia & Associates are available to assist nurses and healthcare professionals with professional licensing matters. With offices conveniently located in the Chicago Loop, Northwest side and suburban meeting locations, you can schedule a discrete meeting with an attorney at your convenience and discretion. For more about Michael V. Favia & Associates’ professional licensing work, please visit www.IL-Licensing.com and feel free to “Like” the firm on Facebook and “Follow” the firm on Twitter.
[i] Illinois General Assembly, HB 3680 Interstate Medical Licensure.
[ii] The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact website with interactive map of legislative status.
[iii] The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions.
