Hayes Locums: 5 Questions About The IMLC

I will be retiring from my rural family medicine job in June of 2024. I've had a great career in one location, but it's time to wrap things up--especially since I reached Financial Independence!

I plan to Coast-FIRE and will pick and choose some locum jobs in 2024-25. I'll also pour my heart into my passion project--our SimpliMD community!

In preparation for next summer, I checked out multiple locum groups and ultimately chose Hayes Locums as the best for me. I signed up with them and have been very pleased with the extremely helpful and professional service provided by Louis Irizarry and his team at Hayes. Due to the breadth of my rural experience, they are affectionately calling me a "unicorn." I think that is a compliment:)

If you are looking for a locum position, I encourage you to follow my lead because I have done the leg work for you. Reach out to Louis at Hayes and tell him that Tod at SimpliMD sent you.

As part of my preparation for doing locum work, I obtained my I obtained membership in the Interstate Medical License Compact (IMLC). Honestly, it wasn't too hard, but like many things just takes time. You should consider doing the same.

So let's take a look at a recent blog post from the Hayes Locums website

5 Common Questions About The IMLC

The state licensing process for doctors can often feel daunting, especially if you are a travel doctor. But with the IMLC, traveling physicians can complete the licensing process for participating states in a matter of days or weeks, instead of months. Here are the answers to your most common questions about the IMLC.

1. What is the IMLC?

The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) is an agreement among participating states to streamline the licensing process for traveling physicians. It’s designed to help doctors pursue licensure in different states more easily, without compromising the necessary scrutiny for examining their qualifications.

2. How does the IMLC benefit locums physicians?

Physicians are able to obtain additional state licenses on a significantly shorter timeline through the IMLC. In some states, the licensing process can take six months or longer. But with the Compact, if a provider meets the requirements, the process can be cut down to a matter of days or weeks.

3. How does the IMLC licensing process work?

Once a physician has been confirmed to meet the IMLC’s strict eligibility requirements, their State of Principle License (SPL) shares that information with other states participating in the compact. Providers are only required to complete one application to qualify to practice medicine in multiple states, significantly reducing the burden of obtaining multiple licenses for travel physician jobs. Visit the IMLC website to see the eligibility requirements for physicians.

4. How many states currently participate in the IMLC?

As of now, the majority of states in the U.S. are either members of the IMLC or have passed the necessary legislation and are in the process of implementation. Every state has its own licensure requirements and bylaws, and joining the IMLC requires passing new legislation, which can take time. That said, due to the increase in travel doctor jobs, there is a clear need for a faster licensing process without compromising scrutiny, so the momentum for states to join the IMLC is growing. 39 states, as well as Washington D.C. and Guam, are currently participating in the Compact.

See the full map for a list of all participating states and territories.

5. Do I need to join the IMLC to be a travel doctor?

It’s not required that you join the IMLC to work an out-of-state locum tenens assignment. but it can greatly expedite the licensing process. We recommend it for traveling physicians who are planning on working multiple out-of-state assignments. Some hospitals also prefer candidates who have an active state license or are licensed through the IMLC, so applying for the IMLC can ensure that you don’t get overlooked for travel physician jobs that you might be a good fit for.

As we wrap up this post, let me tell you one last thing. If you are a locum, or considering locum work--you really need to start your own professional micro-corporation in order to maximize your 1099 earnings.

Check out my free e-book "Why Every Physician Should Form Their Own Micro-Corporation"

You can also check out our SimpliMD landing page about starting a micro-corporation here.

Tod Stillson MD