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North Carolina medical license and the IMLC

North Carolina 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 North Carolina license, which the state board still issues.

IMLC facts

IMLC status
Member state that can serve as State of Principal License
Joined
7/1/2025
Go-live
Jan-26
Number of member boards
1
Board
North Carolina 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 North Carolina license. Eligibility is set by the compact, so check the IMLCC information for physicians before applying. The North Carolina 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

2 of the 4 bordering states are IMLC members: Georgia, Tennessee.

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: $247,750; nurse practitioners: $130,870; physician assistants: $130,030. 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.

North Carolina physicians, all other pay · North Carolina nurse practitioners pay · North Carolina physician assistants pay · North Carolina nurse anesthetists pay

Decision checklist for North Carolina

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

Yes. The IMLCC member boards list (updated 1/1/2026) shows North Carolina as a member that can serve as State of Principal License, joined 7/1/2025, go-live Jan-26. Always confirm current requirements with the state board; IMLC participation can change.

Does the IMLC issue the North Carolina license?

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

Can NPs and PAs use the IMLC for North Carolina?

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

How many neighbors of North Carolina are IMLC members?

2 of the 4 bordering states are IMLC members: Georgia, Tennessee.

Can the North Carolina 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 North Carolina board’s requirements separately.