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Montana medical license and the IMLC

Montana 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 Montana license, which the state board still issues.

IMLC facts

IMLC status
Member state that can serve as State of Principal License
Joined
4/8/2015
Go-live
Apr-17
Number of member boards
1
Board
Montana Board of Medical Examiners - 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 Montana license. Eligibility is set by the compact, so check the IMLCC information for physicians before applying. The Montana 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

In this state, in context

BLS OEWS May 2025 annual mean employee wages — physicians, all other: $385,010; nurse practitioners: $135,290; physician assistants: $140,800. 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.

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

Decision checklist for Montana

  • Begin with physician eligibility, rather than assuming a neighboring member state qualifies you.
  • Check which license could serve as your State of Principal License.
  • Ask the Montana board what remains before it can issue your license.

Find your state board (FSMB directory)

Neighbors

4 of the 4 bordering states are IMLC members: Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, 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.

Sources

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

Frequently asked questions

Is Montana in the IMLC?

Yes. The IMLCC member boards list (updated 1/1/2026) shows Montana as a member that can serve as State of Principal License, joined 4/8/2015, go-live Apr-17. Always confirm current requirements with the state board; IMLC participation can change.

Does the IMLC issue the Montana license?

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

Can NPs and PAs use the IMLC for Montana?

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

How many neighbors of Montana are IMLC members?

4 of the 4 bordering states are IMLC members: Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming.

Can the Montana 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 Montana board’s requirements separately.