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Pennsylvania medical license and the IMLC

Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania license, which the state board still issues.

IMLC facts

IMLC status
Member state that can serve as State of Principal License
Joined
10/26/2016
Go-live
Aug-24
Number of member boards
2
Boards
See the IMLCC member boards list: IMLCC member boards list (PDF)

What this means for an out-of-state physician

The IMLC offers an expedited route to additional state licenses for eligible physicians, including a Pennsylvania license. Eligibility is set by the compact, so check the IMLCC information for physicians before applying. The Pennsylvania 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

In this state, in context

BLS OEWS May 2025 annual mean employee wages — physicians, all other: $237,190; nurse practitioners: $132,070; physician assistants: $125,160. 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.

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

Decision checklist for Pennsylvania

  • Do not infer personal eligibility from Pennsylvania or its neighbors appearing on a member list.
  • Identify the qualifying principal-license state for a compact application.
  • Check the issuing state board’s current requirements rather than treating the compact as a license.

Find your state board (FSMB directory)

Neighbors

5 of the 6 bordering states are IMLC members: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, 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.

Sources

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

Frequently asked questions

Is Pennsylvania in the IMLC?

Yes. The IMLCC member boards list (updated 1/1/2026) shows Pennsylvania as a member that can serve as State of Principal License, joined 10/26/2016, go-live Aug-24. Always confirm current requirements with the state board; IMLC participation can change.

Does the IMLC issue the Pennsylvania license?

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

Can NPs and PAs use the IMLC for Pennsylvania?

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

How many neighbors of Pennsylvania are IMLC members?

5 of the 6 bordering states are IMLC members: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, West Virginia.

Can the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania board’s requirements separately.