Pennsylvania Joins Health Care Compacts for Licensing

News Summary

Beginning July 7, 2025, Pennsylvania will join three health care compacts aimed at streamlining the licensing process for medical professionals. This change, announced by Governor Josh Shapiro, is expected to reduce regulatory hurdles for over 300,000 nurses, 65,000 doctors, and 17,000 physical therapists currently practicing in the state. The move is designed to enhance healthcare access, improve efficiency in patient care, and attract qualified professionals in light of workforce shortages. Patient safety will remain a priority during this transition.

Pennsylvania to Join Health Care Compacts, Streamlining Licensing for Medical Professionals Beginning July 7

Pennsylvania will officially join three health care compacts on July 7, 2025, a significant move announced by Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt. This transition aims to simplify licensing processes for medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, and physical therapists, thereby enhancing access to care across the state.

The adoption of these compacts is expected to reduce regulatory obstacles faced by over 300,000 nurses, approximately 65,000 doctors, and more than 17,000 physical therapists currently licensed in Pennsylvania. By allowing licensed professionals to practice in multiple states without needing separate certification in each jurisdiction, Pennsylvania aims to address growing demands for healthcare access and improve overall patient care efficiency.

Previous attempts to join these compacts date back to 2016 when the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed legislation for participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). Since then, additional compacts for nurse and physical therapist licensing have been approved, and efforts for full integration have intensified under the Shapiro Administration. Collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice and various state agencies has facilitated this transition.

Improved Licensing Efficiency

The benefits of joining these health care compacts have already begun to materialize, with significant reductions in processing times for professional licenses. The licensing duration for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses has been decreased from 25 to 5 business days, while the processing time for physician/surgeon licenses has dropped from 43 to 10 business days. Additionally, physical therapist license processing has seen a remarkable reduction from 31 to 3 business days.

This streamlined process not only aids in attracting qualified professionals to Pennsylvania but is also a response to the increasing workforce shortages faced by the state’s healthcare system. The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania has acknowledged this urgent need for expanded healthcare access, emphasizing the critical nature of this legislative change.

Public Health and Safety Considerations

Throughout this integration process, the Shapiro Administration has highlighted that patient safety remains a top priority. The Department of State has a dedicated responsibility to protect public health by ensuring thorough vetting of all healthcare applicants. As both the state government and healthcare associations recognize, the enhancement of licensing efficiency should not compromise the integrity of public health safeguards.

In summary, Pennsylvania’s participation in health care compacts represents a pivotal step toward modernizing medical licensing practices, aimed at supporting the state’s healthcare workforce while providing essential services to residents. As the implementation date approaches, stakeholders across the healthcare sector express optimism about the impending changes, which promise to boost service delivery and access in a growingly interconnected medical landscape.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• LVB: PA Joins Health Care Compacts to Expand Provider Access
• Times Leader: Pennsylvania Roundup – State Expands Job Opportunities for Doctors, Nurses, Physical Therapists
• Penn Biz Report: Pennsylvania to Participate in Interstate Health Care Licensure Compacts
• Wikipedia: Interstate Healthcare Compact
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Health Care