LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – More than 8,000 physicians could lose their legal authority to practice in Michigan if lawmakers fail to act before a March 28 deadline. The looming disruption stems from Michigan’s lapse in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), a voluntary multi- state agreement that streamlines medical licensing for doctors including those who practice across state lines. The lapse occurred after a March 2025 “sunset” provision automatically took effect when renewal legislation stalled in the previous session of the Michigan legislature.
Without reinstatement, physicians licensed under the Compact – including over 5,000 who have been issued licenses to practice in Michigan through telemedicine and over 3,000 Michigan physicians who have Michigan as the State of Principal License (SPL) – could face immediate interruption in their ability to treat patients.
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The Compact creates an expedited pathway for qualified physicians to become licensed in multiple U.S. states. Instead of doing separate applications in each state – a process that can take months – physicians can apply through the Compact to streamline and significantly speed up the process.
The clock is ticking.
According to the IMLC’s website, “Unlike most other IMLCC Member-State legislation, Michigan’s MCL Section 333.16189 included a ‘sunset’ provision that was effective on March 28, 2025. Since the legislation to extend or remove the sunset provision failed in the 2025 legislative session, the sunset provision went into effect.”
They go on to say, “The withdrawal process takes 12 months” and they add that “on March 28, 2026 over 5,000 physicians in Michigan will lose their license to practice. These physicians see about 20 patients a day. This means that on March 28, 2026 approximately 100,000 patients will need to find a new physician.”
The organization estimates that roughly 30% of Michigan’s physician workforce could be affected if the Legislature fails to pass legislation allowing the state to rejoin the IMLC. Doctors who secured their Michigan licenses through the Compact would be required to reapply through the state’s traditional licensing process if Michigan exits the agreement.
What’s at stake for patients.
The Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) is warning of delayed surgeries and reduced access to specialists – particularly in rural and underserved communities where physician shortages already strain the system.
“The stakes could not be higher for Michigan patients and physicians,” says Dr. Kevin Beyer, president of the MOA, urging swift legislative action. “Without action by March 28, thousands of physicians will lose their ability to practice in Michigan, resulting in canceled appointments, interrupted treatment plans, and reduced access to care across our state.”
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The Compact is especially critical for telehealth, which expanded dramatically during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Michigan residents now rely on out-of-state specialists for mental health, oncology, cardiology and other critical care services.
Bipartisan support – but time is running out.
At least two bills were introduced that were aimed to fix the problem but neither bill has cleared the opposite chamber’s committee. There is House Bill 5455, sponsored by Rep. Rylee Linting (R-Grosse Ile Township), which passed the House 102-2 on February 4 and is awaiting action in the Senate Government Operations Committee. There’s also an older and similar Senate Bill 303, sponsored by Sen. Roger Hauck (R-Mt. Pleasant), which passed the Senate 36-1 in May of 2025 and still sits in the House Rules Committee.
Both measures remove the sunset clause and restore Michigan’s participation in the Compact. Despite overwhelming bipartisan votes in each chamber, neither bill has cleared the Legislature in time to guarantee uninterrupted participation.
Tight deadline complicates fix.
Michigan News Source recently spoke with Rep. Phil Green (R-Millington) about the situation and he said the legislative delay could be either procedural or political. He noted that lawmakers plan to discuss the issue this week, adding that rank-and-file legislators are taking it seriously. According to Green, there are many “moving parts,” including ensuring any proposal is structured in a way that the governor will not veto.
Any legislation must pass both chambers and be signed by the governor by March 28. Complicating the timeline, lawmakers are scheduled to begin spring break on March 20, meaning leadership will need to move quickly if a bill is to clear the legislature before then.
Green added that he was “looking forward to getting Michigan competent and quality care and removing the barriers to have our professionals be able to serve our residents.”
Optimism aside, unless lawmakers act soon, Michigan patients, not politicians, will feel the immediate impact. With appointments, surgeries, and ongoing treatments hanging in the balance, the March 28 deadline is no longer a bureaucratic footnote. It’s a countdown that could disrupt care for thousands across the state.
