Wyoming and South Dakota have become the first states to join an interstate compact designed to facilitate a speedier medical licensure process with fewer administrative burdens for physicians seeking licensure in multiple states.
The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact—an initiative of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB)— will make it easier for physicians to obtain licenses in multiple states while providing access to safe, quality care.
The AMA endorsed the compact in November and created new policy to work with interested medical associations, the FSMB and other stakeholders to ensure expeditious adoption of the compact and the creation of an Interstate Medical Licensure Commission, which will be established after seven states join the compact.
Wyoming and South Dakota’s proposals promises to increase access to health care for individuals in underserved or rural areas and allow patients to more easily consult medical experts through the use of telemedicine technologies. The compact will make it easier for physicians to obtain licenses to practice in multiple states and would strengthen public protection because it would help states share investigative and disciplinary information that they cannot share now. Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead signed the state’s compact legislation into law on Feb. 27, and South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed that state’s bill into law on March 12.
To date, 15 additional states have introduced legislation to join the compact. Those states are:
- Alabama
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- West Virginia
Of these, bills in Iowa and Montana have passed out of one legislative body, with Idaho, Utah and West Virginia’s bills having gained the approval of both houses. In Minnesota and Texas, bills have passed out of committee. The AMA has submitted letters in support of the compact to legislators in Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, South Dakota and Wyoming.
FSMB has created a map that highlights the growing support in state legislatures for the compact. The interactive map allows physicians to see if their state has introduced legislation supporting the compact.
For more information, visit the AMA Web page on telemedicine.
