Clinicians: click here

Wisconsin medical license and the IMLC

Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin license, which the state board still issues.

IMLC facts

IMLC status
Member state that can serve as State of Principal License
Joined
12/14/2015
Go-live
Apr-17
Number of member boards
1
Board
Wisconsin Medical Examining Board - 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 a Wisconsin license. Eligibility is set by the compact, so check the IMLCC information for physicians before applying. The Wisconsin 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

Decision checklist for Wisconsin

  • Match the proposed physician application to the compact’s eligibility rules.
  • Resolve the qualifying State of Principal License question before relying on the compact pathway.
  • Keep the Wisconsin board’s license decision separate from the compact application.

Find your state board (FSMB directory)

Neighbors

4 of the 4 bordering states are IMLC members: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota.

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: $364,840; nurse practitioners: $135,160; physician assistants: $136,750. 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.

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

Sources

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

Frequently asked questions

Is Wisconsin in the IMLC?

Yes. The IMLCC member boards list (updated 1/1/2026) shows Wisconsin as a member that can serve as State of Principal License, joined 12/14/2015, go-live Apr-17. Always confirm current requirements with the state board; IMLC participation can change.

Does the IMLC issue the Wisconsin license?

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

Can NPs and PAs use the IMLC for Wisconsin?

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

How many neighbors of Wisconsin are IMLC members?

4 of the 4 bordering states are IMLC members: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota.

Can the Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin board’s requirements separately.