Clinicians: click here

North Dakota medical license and the IMLC

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

IMLC facts

IMLC status
Member state that can serve as State of Principal License
Joined
1/15/2019
Go-live
Aug-19
Number of member boards
1
Board
North Dakota 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 North Dakota license. Eligibility is set by the compact, so check the IMLCC information for physicians before applying. The North Dakota 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

Decision checklist for North Dakota

  • Match the proposed physician application to the compact’s eligibility rules.
  • Resolve the qualifying State of Principal License question before relying on the compact pathway.
  • Keep the North Dakota board’s license decision separate from the compact application.

Find your state board (FSMB directory)

Neighbors

3 of the 3 bordering states are IMLC members: Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota.

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: $406,630; nurse practitioners: $126,370; physician assistants: $130,930. 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 Dakota physicians, all other pay · North Dakota nurse practitioners pay · North Dakota physician assistants pay · North Dakota nurse anesthetists pay

Sources

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

Frequently asked questions

Is North Dakota in the IMLC?

Yes. The IMLCC member boards list (updated 1/1/2026) shows North Dakota as a member that can serve as State of Principal License, joined 1/15/2019, go-live Aug-19. Always confirm current requirements with the state board; IMLC participation can change.

Does the IMLC issue the North Dakota license?

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

Can NPs and PAs use the IMLC for North Dakota?

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

How many neighbors of North Dakota are IMLC members?

3 of the 3 bordering states are IMLC members: Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota.

Can the North Dakota 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 Dakota board’s requirements separately.