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Ohio medical license and the IMLC

Ohio 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 Ohio license, which the state board still issues.

IMLC facts

IMLC status
Member state that can serve as State of Principal License
Joined
7/1/2021
Go-live
Aug-22
Number of member boards
1
Board
State Medical Board of Ohio - 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 Ohio license. Eligibility is set by the compact, so check the IMLCC information for physicians before applying. The Ohio 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, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia.

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: $286,080; nurse practitioners: $122,910; physician assistants: $136,560. 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.

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

Decision checklist for Ohio

  • Read the published eligibility guidance for the route you propose to use.
  • Verify a qualifying State of Principal License, where the compact route applies.
  • Confirm directly with Ohio which board issues and reviews the destination license.

Find your state board (FSMB directory)

Sources

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

Frequently asked questions

Is Ohio in the IMLC?

Yes. The IMLCC member boards list (updated 1/1/2026) shows Ohio as a member that can serve as State of Principal License, joined 7/1/2021, go-live Aug-22. Always confirm current requirements with the state board; IMLC participation can change.

Does the IMLC issue the Ohio license?

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

Can NPs and PAs use the IMLC for Ohio?

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

How many neighbors of Ohio are IMLC members?

5 of the 5 bordering states are IMLC members: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia.

Can the Ohio 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 Ohio board’s requirements separately.