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Colorado medical license and the IMLC

Colorado is listed by the IMLCC as a member that can serve as a State of Principal License. Eligible physicians can use the compact as an expedited route to a Colorado license, which the state board still issues.

IMLC facts

IMLC status
Member state that can serve as State of Principal License
Joined
6/8/2016
Go-live
Apr-17
Number of member boards
1
Board
Colorado Medical Board - DO & MD

What this means for an out-of-state physician

The IMLC offers an expedited route to additional state licenses for eligible physicians, including a Colorado license. Eligibility is set by the compact, so check the IMLCC information for physicians before applying. The Colorado board still issues the license.

IMLCC: information for physicians

NPs and PAs

The IMLC covers physicians only. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants should check licensing requirements directly with the relevant state board.

FSMB: contact a state medical board

Neighbors

5 of the 6 bordering states are IMLC members: Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming.

Counts use shared land/river borders, exclude open-water-only and point-only contacts, and include the District of Columbia where adjacent. Count the named qualifying neighbors and divide the list into qualifying and other recorded statuses; no status is inferred for an unrecorded IMLC state.

In this state, in context

BLS OEWS May 2025 annual mean employee wages — physicians, all other: $298,570; nurse practitioners: $132,540; physician assistants: $139,580. The physician row is the broad “physicians, all other” category, not an average for all physicians or a particular specialty. These are employee wage estimates, not total compensation or contract rates.

Colorado physicians, all other pay · Colorado nurse practitioners pay · Colorado physician assistants pay

Decision checklist for Colorado

  • Review the IMLCC eligibility information before choosing an application route for Colorado.
  • Identify a qualifying State of Principal License if you intend to use the compact.
  • Confirm the receiving board’s requirements; the state board, not the compact, issues the license.

Find your state board (FSMB directory)

Sources

Always confirm current requirements with the state board; IMLC participation can change.

Frequently asked questions

Is Colorado in the IMLC?

Yes. The IMLCC member boards list (updated 1/1/2026) shows Colorado as a member that can serve as State of Principal License, joined 6/8/2016, go-live Apr-17. Always confirm current requirements with the state board; IMLC participation can change.

Does the IMLC issue the Colorado license?

No. The compact offers an expedited route for eligible physicians, but the Colorado board issues the license.

Can NPs and PAs use the IMLC for Colorado?

No. The IMLC covers physicians only. NPs and PAs should check with the Colorado board.

How many neighbors of Colorado are IMLC members?

5 of the 6 bordering states are IMLC members: Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming.

Can the Colorado wage links establish permission to practice?

No. The linked BLS state wage estimates describe employee wages, not licensing, compact privileges or prescribing authority. Confirm the Colorado board’s requirements separately.