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Illinois medical license and the IMLC

Illinois 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 an Illinois license, which the state board still issues.

IMLC facts

IMLC status
Member state that can serve as State of Principal License
Joined
7/21/2015
Go-live
Apr-17
Number of member boards
1
Board
Illinois State 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 an Illinois license. Eligibility is set by the compact, so check the IMLCC information for physicians before applying. The Illinois 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 5 bordering states are IMLC members: Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Wisconsin.

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: $220,020; nurse practitioners: $130,940; physician assistants: $131,880. 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.

Illinois physicians, all other pay · Illinois nurse practitioners pay · Illinois physician assistants pay · Illinois nurse anesthetists pay

Decision checklist for Illinois

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

Yes. The IMLCC member boards list (updated 1/1/2026) shows Illinois as a member that can serve as State of Principal License, joined 7/21/2015, go-live Apr-17. Always confirm current requirements with the state board; IMLC participation can change.

Does the IMLC issue the Illinois license?

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

Can NPs and PAs use the IMLC for Illinois?

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

How many neighbors of Illinois are IMLC members?

5 of the 5 bordering states are IMLC members: Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Wisconsin.

Can the Illinois 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 Illinois board’s requirements separately.