Increased Access to Healthcare, doctors licensed via an interstate compact will help ease health care worker shortage

HARRISBURG, PA, August 26, 2024 – Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announced that the Department of State will soon make it easier for physicians with licenses issued by 40 other states and territories to practice in Pennsylvania.
Starting today, out-of-state physicians licensed by a state or territory participating in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) who obtain a corresponding “letter of qualification” will be permitted to apply to the Pennsylvania State Boards of Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine for expedited licensure to practice in the Commonwealth. Administered by the Interstate Medical Licensure Commission, the IMLC is an agreement among 40 states and territories to streamline and expedite the licensing process for physicians.
Addressing the healthcare worker shortage and ensuring healthcare workers get on the job faster is a top priority of the Shapiro Administration. In his first month in office, Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order that cataloged each of the 2,400 permits, certificates, and licenses the Commonwealth issues and set timelines for each of them. Since then, the Department of State has made significant progress in reducing wait times for businesses and workers across the board.
At a time when we need every qualified healthcare worker on the job as quickly as possible, Governor Shapiro knows that we cannot have trained doctors, nurses, and medical professionals kept off the job by paperwork delays. Under the Shapiro Administration, Pennsylvanians are certain that the state government will move more quickly and efficiently. Today’s announcement continues this commitment.
“Governor Shapiro and the Department of State are committed to reducing barriers to licensure for qualified professionals entering life-saving healthcare professions,” Schmidt said. “Making it easier for out-of-state physicians to practice in the Commonwealth will meaningfully improve Pennsylvanians’ access to healthcare.”
Act 112 of 2016 authorized Pennsylvania to join the IMLC, which increases patients’ access to in-person and telehealth care, which is especially valuable in rural and underserved areas.
“This is a big step cutting through the 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.”
Schmidt noted that a survey by the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) revealed the practice areas 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.
“HAP thanks the Shapiro Administration for prioritizing the health care workforce infrastructure and its continued work to fully operationalize interstate licensure compacts. Today’s announcement will help clinicians get to work caring for patients faster,” said Nicole Stallings, president and CEO of HAP. “Pennsylvania is facing a persistent shortage of health care workers across all settings, and hospitals continue to report vacancies for patient care professionals statewide, with rural communities under the greatest strain. Implementing the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact will give Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems another tool to build their workforce and meet the growing need for care across the Commonwealth.”
Schmidt noted that “by providing for expedited licensure through the IMLC, the Commonwealth will quickly expand the pool of recruits for hospitals and other healthcare facilities. In turn, access to care will increase, and burdens on overworked staff will be alleviated. Meanwhile, the Department of State continues to work diligently with its state and federal partners to satisfy the preconditions necessary to fully implement the IMLC and allow Pennsylvania licensed physicians to obtain expedited licensure in other compact member states and territories.”
Among the preconditions is the ability to certify to other compact states that Pennsylvania applicants have undergone an FBI criminal background check, a process that requires FBI authorization. The Department of State has sought this authorization and is awaiting a final response.
“We are also working to ensure that other technical and regulatory requirements are in place so that the Commonwealth can fully implement the IMLC as quickly as possible once final FBI approval is received,” Schmidt added.
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, and the Shapiro Administration is committed to implementing that as well.
Resources
For answers to frequently asked questions about how today’s announcement affects in-state and out-of-state physicians, as well as Pennsylvania patients, visit the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact webpage.
Employers who wish to verify the status of a physician’s license can do so by visiting the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS).
To learn more about the IMLC, visit imlcc.org.