Harrisburg, PA – Instead of waiting months to complete the licensure process, qualified out-of-state doctors, nurses, and physical therapists can now start practicing in Pennsylvania within days as a result of the Shapiro Administration’s work to cut red tape — helping to meet critical staffing needs and improve access to care.
Yesterday in York, Governor Josh Shapiro announced that Pennsylvania is now a full participant in three multistate licensure compacts. This major step strengthens the Commonwealth’s health care workforce and builds on the Governor’s commitment to reduce barriers and cut red tape for qualified professionals.
Pennsylvania’s participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), and Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact) opens new opportunities for over 300,000 nurses, nearly 65,000 doctors, and more than 17,000 physical therapists.
These health care professionals now have the flexibility to practice across dozens of states — while licensed providers from other states can more easily bring their expertise to Pennsylvania.
By making it easier for qualified providers to get to work quickly, the Shapiro Administration is expanding access to care and growing the Commonwealth’s health care workforce.
Read below what health care workers and lawmakers are saying about Governor Shapiro securing multistate licensure compacts:
Hollis King, Student at the Jersey College School of Nursing at WellSpan Health: “As a nurse in Maryland — a Nurse Licensure Compact state — I’m excited Pennsylvania has fully joined the compact. This allows nurses like me to move more easily between states for work, breaking down barriers and providing flexibility in a competitive job market. Compact licensure expands career opportunities, supports work-life balance, and helps me adapt in today’s fast-changing healthcare field.”
Patty Donley, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive at WellSpan Health: “This will have a positive impact on both patients and team members. By streamlining licensure processes, we will now be able to respond faster to patient needs and ensure continuity of care across state lines. For health systems like ours at WellSpan, this means there will be more support and more time to focus on what matters most: our patients.”
Stephanie Watkins, Senior VP of Advocacy and Policy, Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania: “Today marks an important step forward for Pennsylvania’s healthcare workforce. By joining these interstate licensure compacts, we’re making it easier for qualified doctors, nurses, and physical therapists to come here and care for our communities. This milestone helps address ongoing workforce shortages — especially in rural and underserved areas — by cutting red tape and speeding up the process so healthcare professionals can get to work sooner. We’re grateful for the bipartisan support that made this possible, and we look forward to building on this momentum to keep strengthening Pennsylvania’s healthcare system.”
Representative Frank Burns, Chairman of the PA House Professional Licensure Committee: “As Chairman of the House Professional Licensure Committee, I’ve worked closely with the Governor’s Administration to bring these vital health care compacts across the finish line. This milestone couldn’t have happened without bipartisan cooperation in the House and Senate, or without the Department of State working hand‑in‑hand with the FBI and DOJ to ensure Pennsylvania met every requirement. And above all, it wouldn’t have been possible without Governor Shapiro’s leadership and commitment to cutting red tape and getting stuff done for the people of Pennsylvania.”
Representative Danilo Burgos: “Doctors, nurses and physical therapists are the heartbeat of our health care system. This interstate health compact is an important development to expand health care access and reduce administrative hurdles for our licensed providers. These compacts help ensure patients have access to quality care regardless of their location. By recognizing licenses across state lines, we’re addressing staffing shortages and improving health care access in underserved areas.”
Senator Lisa Boscola: “Today’s announcement is a big win for Pennsylvania. Full implementation of our health care compacts is more than just clearing paperwork…it is a jobs plan for nurses, doctors, and physical therapists ready to get to work… and for patients who need care.”
See what Pennsylvanians are reading and watching about Governor Shapiro securing multistate licensure compacts:
Central Penn Business Journal: PA officially joins health care licensure compacts to ease shortages
ABC27: Pennsylvania expands ability to hire out of state healthcare workers
WGAL: Gov. Josh Shapiro unveils plan to ease health care worker licensing
WKBN: Pennsylvania, Ohio approved for streamlined medical licensing process
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