The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact currently counts 38 member states (including the District of Columbia) offering an expedited licensure pathway to eligible physicians. That number has grown over time and can continue to change as state legislatures act, so treat any specific count — including this one — as a snapshot rather than a permanent fact.
What 38 states actually means
Compact membership means a state has adopted the IMLC's enabling legislation and participates in the expedited licensure process through the compact commission. It does not mean every physician automatically qualifies for the fast pathway in every member state — eligibility still depends on the physician's own credentials, disciplinary history, and choice of state of principal license.
How to check current membership yourself
Rather than relying on a fixed count in any single article, the more reliable approach is to check current membership directly before applying, since compact rosters have changed multiple times as new states join. A number that was accurate six months ago may already be out of date.
Check current compact status by state →The compact roster has grown before and will likely grow again — verify current membership rather than citing a fixed number from memory.
The Letter of Qualification process, briefly
For physicians who do qualify, the process generally starts with designating a state of principal license, which reviews credentials and issues a Letter of Qualification. That letter is then used to apply for an expedited license in any other member state where the physician wants to practice. Processing timelines vary by state and are not uniform across the compact.
Requirements vary by state and change over time — always confirm current requirements directly with the relevant state board or agency before making a compliance decision.