INTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT

SB 46 establishes New Mexico's participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, creating a streamlined process for physicians to obtain licenses in multiple participating states. It directly affects licensed physicians who wish to practice across state lines, particularly through telemedicine or in underserved areas. The key mechanism allows physicians with a "state of principal license" (their primary state) to receive an "expedited license" in other compact states without repeating full licensing requirements, while maintaining their primary license and jurisdiction. The compact complements existing state medical practice acts and does not change a state's authority to discipline licenses or require physicians to be licensed in the state where the patient is located during care.