Physicians may now elect Illinois as a ‘State of Principal Licensure’ as part of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (“Compact”). Physicians licensed in Illinois can file a request through the Compact’s website to have their education, training and background reviewed by the State of Illinois to determine Compact eligibility. If a physician meets the Compact qualifications, as determined by the State of Illinois, a “Letter of Qualification” will be issued. The “Letter of Qualification” may then be presented (via the Compact Commission) to other Compact states to request issuance of an ‘expedited’ physician license for the applying physician.

Illinois has been issuing expedited licenses to physicians from other states for several months, but with the passage of recent legislation, physicians already licensed in Illinois will be able to fully take part in the Compact and receive licenses in other Compact states.

Illinois physicians interested in applying for a ‘Letter of Qualification’ should visit the Commission website.