FSMB cites progress on interstate compact for physicians

Some elements of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which would expedite the medical licensing process for physicians who wish to practice in multiple states, will be ready for review early next year, according to the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB). A drafting committee of the Interstate Compact Taskforce (ICT) is shaping the compact’s basic terms of understanding, including physician eligibility, information-sharing between boards, disciplinary responsibilities, and other factors necessary for consideration in a compact. After the terms are shared with state medical boards and other stakeholders for further feedback, the ICT anticipates having draft language ready for wider review in early 2014.

Under the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, physicians interested in practicing in multiple states could receive a license in each state and be under the jurisdiction of the state medical board where the patient is located at the time of the medical interaction. Participating state medical boards would retain their licensing and disciplinary authority but would agree to share the information and processes necessary for licensing and regulating physicians who practice across state borders.