Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed two bills into law on the last day of December, making Michigan the 25th state to enact the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), an initiative that offers an expedited pathway to licensure for physicians wishing to practice in multiple states.
Licensing providers across state lines has long been a challenge, as clinicians who want to treat patients in another state have historically had to apply for and pay for licenses in those states—a costly and time-consuming process. Some state boards have also sought to prevent or limit the expansion of telehealth, citing patient safety concerns. But under this agreement, licensed physicians can qualify to practice medicine across state lines within the Compact if they meet the agreed upon eligibility requirements.