WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), a national nonprofit representing the 70 medical and osteopathic boards of the U.S. and its territories, issued the following statement today regarding the completion of the drafting process for model legislation to create an Interstate Medical Licensure Compact that would speed the process of issuing licenses for physicians who wish to practice in multiple states.
"With the drafting process complete, state legislatures and medical boards can now begin to consider the adoption of this model legislation establishing an interstate medical licensure compact," said Dr. Humayun J. Chaudhry, president and CEO of FSMB. "The FSMB is pleased to have supported the state medical board community as it developed this compact to streamline licensure while maintaining patient protection as a top priority. We look forward to working with states that wish to implement this innovative new policy."
The interstate medical licensure compact model legislation creates a new process for faster licensing for physicians interested in practicing in multiple states and establishes the location of a patient as the jurisdiction for oversight and patient protections. The compact is a dynamic system of expedited licensure over which the member states can maintain control through a coordinated legislative and administrative process. Participation in an interstate compact would be voluntary, for both states and physicians.
"Today's announcement is welcome news for physicians across the country seeking to provide and improve access to care for patients in multiple jurisdictions," said Kevin Bohnenblust, executive director of the Wyoming State Board of Medicine, which originally proposed that state medical boards explore the creation of an interstate compact. "This expedited process will let us meet our responsibility to allow capable and qualified physicians to practice medicine in a safe and accountable manner while protecting patients and expanding and improving care. The interstate compact will be a useful tool for medical boards seeking that balance."
The interstate compact is expected to significantly reduce barriers to the process of gaining licensure in multiple states, helping facilitate licensure portability and telemedicine while expanding access to health care by physicians, particularly in underserved areas of the nation.
Click here to read the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact model legislation.
About the Federation of State Medical Boards: The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) is a national non-profit organization representing all medical boards within the United
States and its territories that license and discipline allopathic and osteopathic physicians and, in
some jurisdictions, other health care professionals. FSMB leads by promoting excellence in medical practice, licensure and regulation as the national resource and voice on behalf of state medical boards in their protection of the public. To learn more about FSMB visit: http://www.fsmb.org/. You can also follow FSMB on Twitter (@theFSMB and @FSMBPolicy) and Facebook by liking the Federation of State Medical Boards page.