What Is the IMLC?
The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) is a multi-state agreement that allows eligible physicians to obtain medical licenses in multiple participating states through a single, streamlined application process. For a broader look at how licensing fits into the overall physician credentialing process, see our physician credentialing complete guide.
Before the IMLC, a physician who wanted to practice in three states had to file three separate licensure applications, pay three sets of fees, provide three sets of primary source verifications, and wait 60–90 days per state — sequentially. That could mean 6–9 months of waiting just to be licensed to work.
With the IMLC, the same physician files one application, pays a consolidated fee, and receives licenses in all participating states in 30–45 days.
For locum tenens physicians, this is transformational.
Which States Are IMLC Members?
As of 2026, the IMLC includes 40+ participating states, covering the vast majority of U.S. physician markets.
Key IMLC member states include:
- Florida
- Texas
- California
- New York
- Illinois
- Pennsylvania
- Ohio
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- Washington
- Colorado
- Arizona
- Minnesota
- Michigan
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Massachusetts
- Wisconsin
- Missouri
- Maryland
Note: IMLC membership changes as new states join. Verify current membership at imlcc.org.
Notable non-members (as of 2026): Some states maintain independent licensure processes outside the Compact. Always verify current membership status before filing.
How the IMLC Works: Step by Step
Step 1: Determine Your State of Principal Licensure (SPL)
The IMLC requires a physician to designate one state as their State of Principal Licensure (SPL). This is typically the state where the physician:
- Holds a full, unrestricted license
- Maintains their primary residence, OR
- Has their primary place of employment, OR
- Graduated from a medical school
For most Florida-based physicians, Florida is the natural SPL. Florida is an IMLC member and one of the highest-volume physician markets in the country.
Step 2: Apply Through the IMLC Commission
The physician applies through the IMLC Commission portal, selecting all desired state licenses in the application. A single application covers all selected member states.
Required documentation is submitted once — not separately for each state. The IMLC Commission verifies credentials and shares results with all participating state medical boards.
Step 3: Pay Consolidated Fees
Each participating state charges its own licensure fee, but these are paid through a single consolidated payment rather than separate applications. Fees vary by state, typically ranging from $150–$500 per state.
Step 4: State Boards Issue Licenses
Participating state medical boards review the IMLC application and issue licenses. Processing time: 30–45 days for all states simultaneously.
Compare this to traditional independent applications: 60–90 days per state, filed separately, with no coordination between state boards.
IMLC Eligibility Requirements
Not every physician qualifies for the IMLC pathway. Requirements include:
- Full, unrestricted medical license in at least one IMLC member state (your SPL)
- No pending investigations by any medical licensing authority
- No revocations or surrenders of any medical license
- Completion of an ACGME or AOA-accredited residency program
- Board certification (in most states — verify per state)
- U.S. or Canadian citizenship or permanent residency (some states require this)
- Graduation from an accredited medical school (LCME or equivalent)
Physicians who do not meet all eligibility criteria must apply through traditional state-by-state pathways.
IMLC vs. Traditional State Licensure: Side by Side
| Factor | IMLC | Traditional Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Number of applications | 1 | 1 per state |
| Processing time | 30–45 days (all states) | 60–90 days per state |
| Primary source verification | Once | Repeated per state |
| Cost | State fees (consolidated) | State fees x # states |
| Portability | Immediate upon approval | No portability |
| Ongoing license maintenance | State-specific renewals | State-specific renewals |
To understand how long credentialing takes without IMLC, including the full timeline breakdown by specialty, see our dedicated credentialing timeline guide.
Why IMLC Matters for Locum Tenens Physicians
Locum tenens physicians are, by definition, mobile. The IMLC removes the most significant structural barrier to physician mobility: the time and cost of multi-state licensure.
For a physician working locum assignments across Florida, Texas, and Georgia:
Without IMLC: 3 independent applications × 75-day average = 225 days of sequential waiting
With IMLC: 1 application, 40 days, all three states simultaneously
The math is unambiguous. For any locum physician planning to work in more than one state, the IMLC pathway is not optional — it is essential.
IMLC + SANNEXUS: The Fastest Path to Multi-State Practice
The IMLC removes the licensure bottleneck. SANNEXUS removes the credentialing bottleneck. Together, they are the fastest legal pathway from physician to clinical practice at a new facility. The physician credentialing passport model built into SANNEXUS is designed specifically to complement IMLC's multi-state licensing reach.
SANNEXUS IMLC Integration:
- IMLC application status tracked directly in your SANNEXUS passport
- Multi-state license expiration monitoring and renewal alerts
- Bylaw gap analysis for all IMLC member states where you hold privileges
- Automatic credential updates pushed to network hospitals when new state licenses are added
The combined timeline:
| Step | Timeline |
|---|---|
| IMLC application filed | Day 1 |
| SANNEXUS passport built and verified | Days 1–5 |
| IMLC licenses issued (all target states) | Days 30–45 |
| First assignment accepted via SANNEXUS | Day 45+ |
| Provisional privileges at network hospital | Days 50–55 |
| First clinical shift | Day 50–55 |
Versus the traditional pathway: 180–270+ days for the same result.
IMLC for Radiologists: The Teleradiology Opportunity
For radiologists practicing teleradiology, the IMLC is particularly high-leverage. See our radiology locum tenens Florida market guide for a full breakdown of the Florida radiology opportunity.
Teleradiology requires licensure in every state where a radiologist reads images — even if the physician is physically located in a single state. A radiologist reading studies for facilities in 10 states needs 10 active licenses.
Pre-IMLC, maintaining 10 state licenses was an administrative and financial burden significant enough that many radiologists avoided multi-state practice entirely.
Post-IMLC, a radiologist with a Florida SPL can hold licenses in 40+ states simultaneously through a single consolidated application. The expansion of teleradiology practice becomes operationally feasible.
SANNEXUS passport holders in Radiology receive automated expiration tracking and renewal reminders for every active license — across all IMLC states.
IMLC for Emergency Medicine Physicians: Rapid Response Deployment
For emergency medicine physicians, the IMLC enables something previously impossible: true rapid-response deployment across state lines. For a full picture of this opportunity, see our emergency medicine locum tenens Florida guide.
When a Florida emergency department has an urgent coverage gap — a physician out sick, a sudden surge in volume — the fastest available solution is a credentialed EM physician who can start within days. If that physician only holds a Florida license, deployment is straightforward. If the gap is in Georgia or Tennessee, the multi-state licensing barrier historically prevented rapid response.
With IMLC + SANNEXUS:
- The EM physician holds licenses in all IMLC member states
- The SANNEXUS passport is pre-verified and portable
- Bylaw gap analysis against the specific facility runs in real time
- Provisional privileges granted within days
This is the clinical deployment infrastructure that the modern locum tenens market requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
What states are in the IMLC?
As of 2026, 40+ states participate in the IMLC. Key members include Florida, Texas, California, New York, Illinois, Georgia, North Carolina, and Washington. Verify current membership at imlcc.org.
How long does IMLC take to process?
Typically 30–45 days from application submission to license issuance in all selected states. This compares favorably to 60–90 days per state through traditional pathways.
Does the IMLC replace my state medical license?
No. Licenses issued through the IMLC are full state medical licenses, issued by each participating state medical board. They are equivalent to licenses obtained through traditional pathways.
Can I apply for the IMLC while my Florida license is pending?
No. You must hold a full, unrestricted license in your State of Principal Licensure before applying to the IMLC.
How does SANNEXUS integrate with IMLC?
SANNEXUS tracks IMLC application status within your credentialing passport, monitors license expirations across all active states, and automatically updates network hospital partners when new licenses are added to your profile.
What is the IMLC fee?
Each state charges its own licensure fee. The IMLC Commission charges a processing fee for the consolidated application. Total cost varies based on states selected. Contact the IMLC Commission for current fee schedules.
Conclusion: The IMLC Changed the Rules. SANNEXUS Builds the Playbook.
The IMLC is the most significant structural improvement in physician mobility in decades. It removes the biggest single barrier to multi-state practice — the time and cost of sequential state licensing.
But the IMLC alone does not solve the credentialing problem. A physician with 10 state licenses still faces 90–180 days of independent credentialing at each new facility.
The complete solution is IMLC + SANNEXUS.
- IMLC gets you licensed everywhere quickly
- SANNEXUS gets you credentialed and clinical faster than any other pathway
If you are a physician building a mobile practice, both tools belong in your infrastructure.
[Start Your SANNEXUS Credentialing Passport — Optimized for IMLC]
SANNEXUS LLC | Intelligent Care Solutions | Florida, Est. 2026
Cleiton Goncalves, MBA — Founder and CEO | Former VP, Envision Physician Services