Pa. begins streamlining out-of-state physician licensures

Harrisburg, Pa. — Beginning Aug. 26, the Pennsylvania boards of Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine will start reviewing expedited licensure applications from out-of-state physicians within the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) . Participating physicians must have a letter of qualification in order to apply.

The IMLC policy is intended to make it easier for licensed physicians from other states and territories to work in Pennsylvania, both for convenience and to address an ongoing health care worker shortage.

IMLC is an agreement among 40 states and territories to streamline and expedite the licensing process for physicians. Act 112 of 2016 authorized Pennsylvania to join the IMLC, and the Commonwealth has been gradually moving closer to implementing related policies and procedures.

“This is a big step cutting through red tape that has been withholding Pennsylvanians, especially those in rural areas, from improved medical services,” said Rep. Jesse Topper, the prime sponsor of Act 112. “Residents will have easier access to healthcare from highly trained physicians thanks to the Commonwealth joining the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.”

According to a survey by the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, fields with the greatest need for more physicians include anesthesia, behavioral health/psychiatry, emergency medicine, family medicine/primary care, gastroenterology, hospitalists, obstetrics/gynecology, orthopedic surgeons, pediatrics, and urology.

In addition to letters of qualification, applicants must undergo an FBI criminal background check. The Department of State is still waiting for FBI authorization for this process.

Other medical licensure compacts

In 2020, Pennsylvania fully implemented the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), which allows psychologists licensed through the compact to practice telepsychology in participating states. More than 900 Pennsylvania psychologists are licensed by PSYPACT to practice across state lines.

Last September, to address a nursing staff shortage, Pennsylvania began allowing registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) who hold a multistate license through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) to practice in the Commonwealth. Administered by the National Council for State Boards of Nursing, the NLC is an agreement among 41 states and territories to recognize nurses licensed by compact members.

Pennsylvania is also legislatively authorized to enter the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact. This has not yet been implemented.