Is California in the IMLC?
No. An IMLCC statement lists California as outside the compact as of April 2026. Always confirm current requirements with the state board; IMLC participation can change.
California medical license outside the IMLC
California is listed by IMLCC as outside the compact as of April 2026. Physicians seeking a California license should apply directly to the California medical board.
IMLC facts
- IMLC status
- Listed by IMLCC as outside the compact as of April 2026
What this means for an out-of-state physician
Apply directly to the California board. Use the FSMB directory to find and contact the board, and confirm its current requirements before you start.
NPs and PAs
The IMLC covers physicians only. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants should check licensing requirements directly with the relevant state board.
In this state, in context
BLS OEWS May 2025 annual mean employee wages — physicians, all other: $249,620; nurse practitioners: $176,760; physician assistants: $169,110. 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.
California physicians, all other pay · California nurse practitioners pay · California physician assistants pay · California nurse anesthetists pay
Decision checklist for California
- 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 California board what remains before it can issue your license.
California is listed outside the compact in the existing source. Apply directly to its board; the compact steps describe member-state applications, not an alternative license for this state.
Neighbors
2 of the 3 bordering states are IMLC members: Arizona, Nevada.
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
- IMLCC statement listing states outside the compact as of April 2026 (PDF)
- FSMB: contact a state medical board
Always confirm current requirements with the state board; IMLC participation can change.
Frequently asked questions
How do physicians get a California license?
Apply directly to the California board. The FSMB directory lists contact details for state medical boards.
Can NPs and PAs use the IMLC for California?
No. The IMLC covers physicians only. NPs and PAs should check with the California board.
How many neighbors of California are IMLC members?
2 of the 3 bordering states are IMLC members: Arizona, Nevada.
Can the California 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 California board’s requirements separately.