The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission (IMLCC) has declared a major milestone for physician licensure in the U.S. with Connecticut going for a State of Principal Licensure (SPL) on March 15, 2026. This development follows the successful completion of Phase 2 technical integration, which enables Connecticut physicians to access the full range of benefits offered by the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. This marks a major step to expand physician mobility and improve access to care across state lines.
Eligible physicians licensed in Connecticut can take full advantage of the expedited multi-state licensure pathway of IMLCC. They can easily obtain a license to practice in any of the 43 member states of Combat and Washington, DC, and Guam. This covers a total of 58 medical and osteopathic licensing boards. The key feature is a unified and integrated application portal, which simplifies what has traditionally been a complex and time-consuming process to apply for and maintain many state licensures.
The IMLCC has announced a significant milestone for physician licensure in the United States, with Connecticut officially going live as an SPL on March 15, 2026. This development follows the successful completion of Phase 2 technical integrations, enabling Connecticut physicians to access the full range of benefits offered through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. The announcement marks a major step forward in expanding physician mobility and improving access to care across state lines. The system allows physicians to focus on patient care and less paperwork by reducing administrative burdens.
The participation of Connecticut in the Compact is a many-year effort. The IMLCC started working with the Connecticut Medical Board to implement a two-phase technical integration after state legislation was passed in May 2022. Phase 1 was completed in October 2022, which enabled physicians from other Compact member states to apply for expedited licensure in Connecticut. Phase 2 is completed and has the same benefits for Connecticut-based physicians. They can obtain a Letter of Qualification (LOQ) from the Connecticut Medical Board, which verifies their eligibility and allows them to pursue expedited licensure in other Compact states and jurisdictions.
This advancement is important for a growing national physician shortage. The healthcare system in the country faces challenges to meet patient demand, specifically in rural and underserved areas. The IMLCC helps to address these gaps in care and improves patient access by streamlining the process for physicians to practice in many states. About 8800 Connecticut physicians are eligible to participate fully in the Compact, which gives them the opportunity to expand their services to the patient population nationwide.
IMLCC leadership highlighted the broader implications of this achievement. The organization views interstate licensure compacts as a key solution to workforce shortages in healthcare. The Compact supports both physicians and healthcare systems while ultimately benefiting patients by enabling faster and more efficient licensing. The expansion of Connecticut as an SPL state strengthens the Compact’s national network and demonstrates growing momentum behind interstate collaboration in healthcare regulation.
The IMLCC represents a unique and bipartisan effort among state medical licensing boards. The Compact creates a coordinated framework that facilitates the sharing of licensure and disciplinary information in states. This helps ensure that high standards of medical practice are maintained while reducing duplication and delays in the licensing process. The centralized technology infrastructure acts as a bridge between previously siloed systems, which improves transparency and consistency.
The IMLCC has steadily expanded its reach and impact. Membership requires individual states to pass legislation to join the Compact, reflecting a collaborative, state-driven approach to reform. The organization operates as a self-funded and mission-driven entity, receiving no federal or taxpayer funding. Its technology services are provided at no cost to member licensing boards, which makes it an efficient and sustainable model for modernizing physician licensure.
Full integration of Connecticut in IMLCC as the State of Principal Licensure signifies an important advancement in the effort to modernize healthcare delivery in the U.S. The Compact enhances professional mobility, strengthens the healthcare system’s ability to respond to patient needs, and enables physicians to practice more easily across state lines. IMLCC continues to play an important role in shaping a more connected, accessible, and efficient national healthcare landscape.
Reference: Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission. IMLCC announces Connecticut going live as a State of Principal Licensure (SPL) on March 15, 2026: Phase 2 technical integrations provide Connecticut physicians full compact benefits. Published March 15, 2026. Accessed March 25, 2026.
