Help for physicians wanting to practice in multiple states

The House, with a 128-0 vote Wednesday, approved a technical change that would make it easier for physicians to receive expedited licenses in some other states.

Rep. Tony Albright

HF474, sponsored by Rep. Tony Albright (R-Prior Lake), would authorize the Board of Medical Practice to perform criminal background checks required for Minnesota physicians seeking licenses in other states that belong to the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.

The vote sends the bill to the Senate, where Sen. Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) is the sponsor.

The compact, signed into state law in 2015, is intended make it easier for physicians to practice in multiple states. The technical change is needed to allow the board to fulfil its role in the process, Albright said.

For physicians who want a license to practice in Minnesota, the bill would exempt them from the usual background check requirements if they primarily practice in another compact state that ran a background check on them in the 12 previous months.