Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC)
Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
A compact allowing physicians licensed in one member state to obtain expedited licensure in other member states.
1 min read · Last reviewed May 23, 2026
At a glance
- Category
- Telehealth
- Acronym for
- Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
- Primary sources
- 1
- Workspace handoff
- compliance binder →
Where this comes up
Telehealth coding, place-of-service, modifier (95, GT, GQ, FQ, FR), and post-PHE policy parity all converge here. State licensure rules and DEA controlled-substance prescribing rules add a second compliance layer most billers learn about only after the first denial.
Full definition
What it is in practice
IMLC.org lists the member states. The IMLC speeds licensure for telehealth across state lines but does not eliminate the need for licensure in each state where the patient is located.
How it shows up in your practice
Telehealth licensure is determined by where the patient is at the time of service, not where the physician sits. The IMLC reduces the friction; it does not eliminate the requirement.
Sources
- HHS Telehealth.HHS.govhttps://telehealth.hhs.gov/
Track state licensure in the Compliance Binder
Open compliance binder →Related terms
- TelehealthTelehealthDelivery of health care services through audio-video or audio-only technology when the patient is not at the same location as the practitioner.
- TelehealthDistant SiteUnder Medicare telehealth rules, the location of the practitioner delivering the telehealth service.
- TelehealthOriginating SiteUnder traditional Medicare telehealth rules, the location of the patient at the time of the telehealth service.
D3rx is a healthcare-billing and compliance research aid maintained by D3rx Inc. Articles are drafted by an LLM (Anthropic Claude) against primary HHS, OCR, CMS, eCFR, NIST, and state-regulator publications, and reviewed for restraint and source fidelity by the D3rx team.
Reviewer status: a named credentialed reviewer (CHC, CHPC, or healthcare attorney) is being engaged. Until that engagement is finalized, this page does not claim credentialed review.
Related across the archive
- GlossaryTelehealthDelivery of health care services through audio-video or audio-only technology when the patient is not at the same location as the practitioner.
- GlossaryDistant SiteUnder Medicare telehealth rules, the location of the practitioner delivering the telehealth service.
- GlossaryOriginating SiteUnder traditional Medicare telehealth rules, the location of the patient at the time of the telehealth service.
- GlossaryAudio-Only TelehealthTelehealth services delivered via telephone or other audio-only technology, without a video component.
- GlossaryTelemedicine Parity LawState laws requiring commercial insurers to cover and/or pay telehealth services at the same rate as in-person services.
- GlossaryFQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center)A community-based safety-net provider that meets requirements at section 1861(aa) of the Social Security Act and receives prospective payment from Medicare and enhanced reimbursement from Medicaid.
- GlossaryModifier 93 (Audio-Only Synchronous Telehealth)CPT modifier indicating a synchronous telemedicine service rendered via audio-only technology.
- GlossaryModifier 95CPT modifier indicating a synchronous telemedicine service rendered via real-time interactive audio and video.
This glossary entry is a research aid for billing and compliance staff. It does not provide legal, medical, or financial advice and does not replace counsel. References cited link to primary sources at HHS, OCR, CMS, eCFR, NIST, and the relevant payer or industry body.