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District of Columbia medical license and the IMLC

District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia license, which the state board still issues.

IMLC facts

IMLC status
Member state that can serve as State of Principal License
Joined
3/7/2017
Go-live
Jun-23
Number of member boards
1
Board
District of Columbia Board of Medicine - 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 District of Columbia license. Eligibility is set by the compact, so check the IMLCC information for physicians before applying. The District of Columbia 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

1 of the 2 bordering states are IMLC members: Maryland.

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: $154,040; nurse practitioners: $146,470; physician assistants: $146,230. 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.

District of Columbia physicians, all other pay · District of Columbia nurse practitioners pay · District of Columbia physician assistants pay

Decision checklist for District of Columbia

  • Review the IMLCC eligibility information before choosing an application route for District of Columbia.
  • 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 District of Columbia in the IMLC?

Yes. The IMLCC member boards list (updated 1/1/2026) shows District of Columbia as a member that can serve as State of Principal License, joined 3/7/2017, go-live Jun-23. Always confirm current requirements with the state board; IMLC participation can change.

Does the IMLC issue the District of Columbia license?

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

Can NPs and PAs use the IMLC for District of Columbia?

No. The IMLC covers physicians only. NPs and PAs should check with the District of Columbia board.

How many neighbors of District of Columbia are IMLC members?

1 of the 2 bordering states are IMLC members: Maryland.

Can the District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia board’s requirements separately.