Rhode Island is the fifteenth state to have the Interstate Compact for Medical Licensure introduced in its Legislature, with the introduction of HB 5571 by Representatives Joseph M. McNamara, Joseph J. Solomon, Jr., Michael A. Morin, David A. Coughlin, Jr., and Mia A. Ackerman and S. 423 by Senators Christopher Scott Ottiano, Joshua Miller, Donna Nesselbush, and Adam Satchell.
The Interstate Compact for Medical Licensure establishes a voluntary interstate compact that will streamline the licensing process for physicians seeking licenses in multiple states participating in the compact while maintain state oversight and protections for patients. Rhode Island joins Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming as states where the Compact has been introduced.
The final model Interstate Medical Licensure Compact legislation was released in September 2014. Since then, 15 states have formally introduced the legislation in their legislative chambers and more than 25 state medical and osteopathic boards have publicly expressed support for the Compact.