Is South Carolina in the IMLC?
No. An IMLCC statement lists South Carolina as outside the compact as of April 2026. Always confirm current requirements with the state board; IMLC participation can change.
South Carolina medical license outside the IMLC
South Carolina is listed by IMLCC as outside the compact as of April 2026. Physicians seeking a South Carolina license should apply directly to the South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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: $286,140; nurse practitioners: $124,170; physician assistants: $120,720. 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.
South Carolina physicians, all other pay · South Carolina nurse practitioners pay · South Carolina physician assistants pay · South Carolina nurse anesthetists pay
Decision checklist for South Carolina
- 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 South Carolina board what remains before it can issue your license.
South Carolina 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 2 bordering states are IMLC members: Georgia, North Carolina.
- Georgia — member.
- North Carolina — member.
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 South Carolina license?
Apply directly to the South Carolina board. The FSMB directory lists contact details for state medical boards.
Can NPs and PAs use the IMLC for South Carolina?
No. The IMLC covers physicians only. NPs and PAs should check with the South Carolina board.
How many neighbors of South Carolina are IMLC members?
2 of the 2 bordering states are IMLC members: Georgia, North Carolina.
Can the South 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 South Carolina board’s requirements separately.