By JESSE ADAM MARKOS, ESQ.
Wachler & Associates, P.C.
Michigan is currently facing a shortage of physicians, especially in the state’s many rural and underserved areas. In response, efforts are being made to remove barriers to entry for high-quality providers, like the often-confusing licensing process across state lines. More specifically, the Michigan Legislature has recently taken action to renew Michigan’s standing as part of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (“ILMC”) and to ensure that it can remain within the compact permanently. The ILMC streamlines the licensing process for physicians seeking to practice across state lines and has proven successful in increasing access to care. However, Michigan’s participation in the compact is currently set to expire March 28, 2025 and lawmakers must move quickly before it expires.
Michigan first joined the ILMC in 2018 when Governor Snyder signed Public Act 524 of 2018 and Public Act 563 of 2018, making Michigan the 25th state to join compact. Currently, 35 states participate as members. The ILMC allows physicians who are licensed in other member states the ability to get licensed easier in Michigan based on having a compact license. It also allows Michigan physicians to get licensed easier in other member states.
Pursuant to the ILMC, a licensed physician in Michigan can apply for a compact license at the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission (“IMLCC”) website. In order to do so, the applicant must have a full, unrestricted medical license in a member state that is available to serve as a state of principal licensure. Moreover, an applicant must not have any criminal history, any history of licensing disciplinary actions and must not be currently under investigation by a state licensing authority. If the applicant qualifies for compact licensure, a Letter of Qualification is issued to the applicant, and they can apply for an unrestricted license in other member states through the IMLCC website. Similarly, physicians that are compact members can apply for a Michigan license through the IMLCC website, and if approved the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (“LARA”) will issue an unrestricted license. However, this license does not include a Controlled Substance License, which is required for every person who prescribes or dispenses controlled substances in Michigan.
The current law that placed Michigan in the compact is set to expire pursuant to a sunset provision on March 28, 2025. In response, House Bill 4032, legislation which renews the state’s standing as part of the compact and updates existing law to eliminate the sunset provision so that Michigan can remain within the compact permanently, overwhelmingly passed the full House 106-1 on March 6, 2025. The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration.
It is incumbent upon Michigan’s Legislature to help ensure that Michigan, with its aging population, is in a position to attract and retain a sufficient number of providers. And the ILMC plays an important role in doing so by removing overly burdensome licensing requirements for providers seeking to practice across state lines. For additional information or assistance regarding licensing or any other healthcare related issue, please contact Jesse Markos of Wachler & Associates, P.C., at (248) 544-0888.