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Tennessee medical license and the IMLC

Tennessee 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 Tennessee license, which the state board still issues.

IMLC facts

IMLC status
Member state that can serve as State of Principal License
Joined
2/9/2017
Go-live
Jan-19
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 Tennessee license. Eligibility is set by the compact, so check the IMLCC information for physicians before applying. The Tennessee 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: $312,220; nurse practitioners: $115,510; physician assistants: $117,300. 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.

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

Decision checklist for Tennessee

  • 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 Tennessee board what remains before it can issue your license.

Find your state board (FSMB directory)

Neighbors

6 of the 8 bordering states are IMLC members: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina.

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 Tennessee in the IMLC?

Yes. The IMLCC member boards list (updated 1/1/2026) shows Tennessee as a member that can serve as State of Principal License, joined 2/9/2017, go-live Jan-19. Always confirm current requirements with the state board; IMLC participation can change.

Does the IMLC issue the Tennessee license?

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

Can NPs and PAs use the IMLC for Tennessee?

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

How many neighbors of Tennessee are IMLC members?

6 of the 8 bordering states are IMLC members: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina.

Can the Tennessee 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 Tennessee board’s requirements separately.