Legislation that would enroll Minnesota in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact was heard in Judiciary Committee this week. The compact will enable physicians to practice across state lines – physically or via telecommunication – while still being under the visiting state’s medical board jurisdiction and subject to the state’s licensure standards, ensuring the safety of patients.
Currently, 10 other state legislatures are considering adopting the compact. Medical practice boards in participating states do not surrender any authority to regulate the physicians they license, but must share complaints and investigations with other compact states.
Physicians participating in the compact must meet the highest standards for licensure across all states, and a license can be revoked by any or all of the compact states. Based on the statute’s definition of a physician, it is estimated that up to 80 percent of licensed physicians in the U.S. are eligible to participate in the compact.
The bill passed Judiciary and was re-referred to Finance Committee. (S.F. 253)
