Wisconsin Code § 448.980

Interstate medical licensure compact
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The
following compact is hereby ratified and entered into:
(1) SECTION 1 — P URPOSE. In order to strengthen access to
health care, and in recognition of the advances in the delivery of
health care, the member states of the interstate medical licensure
compact have allied in common purpose to develop a comprehensive process that complements the existing licensing and regulatory authority of state medical boards, provides a streamlined
process that allows physicians to become licensed in multiple
states, thereby enhancing the portability of a medical license and
ensuring the safety of patients. The compact creates another
pathway for licensure and does not otherwise change a state’s existing medical practice act. The compact also adopts the prevailing standard for licensure and affirms that the practice of
medicine occurs where the patient is located at the time of the
physician-patient encounter, and therefore, requires the physician
to be under the jurisdiction of the state medical board where the
patient is located. State medical boards that participate in the
compact retain the jurisdiction to impose an adverse action
against a license to practice medicine in that state issued to a
physician through the procedures in the compact.
(2) SECTION 2 — DEFINITIONS. In this compact:
(a) “Bylaws” means those bylaws established by the interstate
commission pursuant to sub. (11) for its governance, or for directing and controlling its actions and conduct.
(b) “Commissioner” means the voting representative appointed by each member board pursuant to sub. (11).
(c) “Conviction” means a finding by a court that an individual
is guilty of a criminal offense through adjudication, or entry of a
plea of guilt or no contest to the charge by the offender. Evidence
of an entry of a conviction of a criminal offense by the court shall
be considered final for purposes of disciplinary action by a member board.
(d) “Expedited license” means a full and unrestricted medical
license granted by a member state to an eligible physician through
the process set forth in the compact.
(e) “Interstate commission” means the interstate commission
created pursuant to sub. (11).
(f) “License” means authorization by a state for a physician to

engage in the practice of medicine, which would be unlawful
without the authorization.
(g) “Medical practice act” means laws and regulations governing the practice of allopathic and osteopathic medicine within a
member state.
(h) “Member board” means a state agency in a member state
that acts in the sovereign interests of the state by protecting the
public through licensure, regulation, and education of physicians
as directed by the state government.
(i) “Member state” means a state that has enacted the
compact.
(j) “Practice of medicine” means the clinical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of human disease, injury, or condition requiring a physician to obtain and maintain a license in compliance
with the medical practice act of a member state.
(k) “Physician” means any person who:
1. Is a graduate of a medical school accredited by the Liaison
Committee on Medical Education, the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, or a medical school listed in the International Medical Education Directory or its equivalent;
2. Passed each component of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA) within
3 attempts, or any of its predecessor examinations accepted by a
state medical board as an equivalent examination for licensure
purposes;
3. Successfully completed graduate medical education approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association;
4. Holds specialty certification or a time-unlimited specialty
certificate recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association’s Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists;
5. Possesses a full and unrestricted license to engage in the
practice of medicine issued by a member board;
6. Has never been convicted, received adjudication, deferred
adjudication, community supervision, or deferred disposition for
any offense by a court of appropriate jurisdiction;
7. Has never held a license authorizing the practice of
medicine subjected to discipline by a licensing agency in any
state, federal, or foreign jurisdiction, excluding any action related
to non-payment of fees related to a license;
8. Has never had a controlled substance license or permit
suspended or revoked by a state or the United States drug enforcement administration; and
9. Is not under active investigation by a licensing agency or
law enforcement authority in any state, federal, or foreign
jurisdiction.
(L) “Offense” means a felony, gross misdemeanor, or crime of
moral turpitude.
(m) “Rule” means a written statement by the interstate commission promulgated pursuant to sub. (12) that is of general applicability, implements, interprets, or prescribes a policy or provision of the compact, or an organizational, procedural, or practice requirement of the interstate commission, and has the force
and effect of statutory law in a member state, and includes the
amendment, repeal, or suspension of an existing rule.
(n) “State” means any state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United States.
(o) “State of principal license” means a member state where a
physician holds a license to practice medicine and which has
been designated as such by the physician for purposes of registration and participation in the compact.
(3) SECTION 3 — ELIGIBILITY. (a) A physician must meet the
eligibility requirements as defined in sub. (2) (k) to receive an expedited license under the terms and provisions of the compact.
(b) A physician who does not meet the requirements of sub.
(2) (k) may obtain a license to practice medicine in a member
state if the individual complies with all laws and requirements,
other than the compact, relating to the issuance of a license to
practice medicine in that state.
(4) SECTION 4 — D ESIGNATION OF STATE OF PRINCIPAL LICENSE. (a) A physician shall designate a member state as the
state of principal license for purposes of registration for expedited licensure through the compact if the physician possesses a
full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in that state, and
the state is:
1. The state of primary residence for the physician; or
2. The state where at least 25 percent of the practice of
medicine occurs, or
3. The location of the physician’s employer; or
4. If no state qualifies under subd. 1., 2., or 3., the state designated as state of residence for purpose of federal income tax.
(b) A physician may redesignate a member state as state of
principal license at any time, as long as the state meets the requirements in par. (a).
(c) The interstate commission is authorized to develop rules
to facilitate redesignation of another member state as the state of
principal license.
(5) SECTION 5 — APPLICATION AND ISSUANCE OF EXPEDITED
LICENSURE. (a) A physician seeking licensure through the compact shall file an application for an expedited license with the
member board of the state selected by the physician as the state of
principal license.
(b) 1. Upon receipt of an application for an expedited license,
the member board within the state selected as the state of principal license shall evaluate whether the physician is eligible for expedited licensure and issue a letter of qualification, verifying or
denying the physician’s eligibility, to the interstate commission.
2. Static qualifications, which include verification of medical education, graduate medical education, results of any medical
or licensing examination, and other qualifications as determined
by the interstate commission through rule, shall not be subject to
additional primary source verification where already primary
source verified by the state of principal license.
3. The member board within the state selected as the state of
principal license shall, in the course of verifying eligibility, perform a criminal background check of an applicant, including the
use of the results of fingerprint or other biometric data checks
compliant with the requirements of the federal bureau of investigation, with the exception of federal employees who have suitability determination in accordance with 5 CFR 731.202.
4. Appeal on the determination of eligibility shall be made to
the member state where the application was filed and shall be
subject to the law of that state.
(c) Upon verification in par. (b), physicians eligible for an expedited license shall complete the registration process established
by the interstate commission to receive a license in a member
state selected pursuant to par. (a), including the payment of any
applicable fees.
(d) After receiving verification of eligibility under par. (b) and
any fees under par. (c), a member board shall issue an expedited
license to the physician. This license shall authorize the physician to practice medicine in the issuing state consistent with the
medical practice act and all applicable laws and regulations of the
issuing member board and member state.
(e) An expedited license shall be valid for a period consistent
with the licensure period in the member state and in the same

manner as required for other physicians holding a full and unrestricted license within the member state.
(f) An expedited license obtained though the compact shall be
terminated if a physician fails to maintain a license in the state of
principal licensure for a non-disciplinary reason, without redesignation of a new state of principal licensure.
(g) The interstate commission is authorized to develop rules
regarding the application process, including payment of any applicable fees, and the issuance of an expedited license.
(6) SECTION 6 — F EES FOR EXPEDITED LICENSURE. (a) A
member state issuing an expedited license authorizing the practice of medicine in that state may impose a fee for a license issued
or renewed through the compact.
(b) The interstate commission is authorized to develop rules
regarding fees for expedited licenses.
(7) SECTION 7 — RENEWAL AND CONTINUED PARTICIPATION.
(a) A physician seeking to renew an expedited license granted in
a member state shall complete a renewal process with the interstate commission if the physician:
1. Maintains a full and unrestricted license in a state of principal license;
2. Has not been convicted, received adjudication, deferred
adjudication, community supervision, or deferred disposition for
any offense by a court of appropriate jurisdiction;
3. Has not had a license authorizing the practice of medicine
subject to discipline by a licensing agency in any state, federal, or
foreign jurisdiction, excluding any action related to non-payment
of fees related to a license; and
4. Has not had a controlled substance license or permit suspended or revoked by a state or the United States drug enforcement administration.
(b) Physicians shall comply with all continuing professional
development or continuing medical education requirements for
renewal of a license issued by a member state.
(c) The interstate commission shall collect any renewal fees
charged for the renewal of a license and distribute the fees to the
applicable member board.
(d) Upon receipt of any renewal fees collected in par. (c), a
member board shall renew the physician’s license.
(e) Physician information collected by the interstate commission during the renewal process will be distributed to all member
boards.
(f) The interstate commission is authorized to develop rules to
address renewal of licenses obtained through the compact.
(8) SECTION 8 — COORDINATED INFORMATION SYSTEM. (a)
The interstate commission shall establish a database of all physicians licensed, or who have applied for licensure, under sub. (5).
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, member
boards shall report to the interstate commission any public action
or complaints against a licensed physician who has applied or received an expedited license through the compact.
(c) Member boards shall report disciplinary or investigatory
information determined as necessary and proper by rule of the interstate commission.
(d) Member boards may report any non-public complaint, disciplinary, or investigatory information not required by par. (c) to
the interstate commission.
(e) Member boards shall share complaint or disciplinary information about a physician upon request of another member
board.
(f) All information provided to the interstate commission or
distributed by member boards shall be confidential, filed under
seal, and used only for investigatory or disciplinary matters.
(g) The interstate commission is authorized to develop rules
for mandated or discretionary sharing of information by member
boards.
(9) SECTION 9 — JOINT INVESTIGATIONS. (a) Licensure and
disciplinary records of physicians are deemed investigative.
(b) In addition to the authority granted to a member board by
its respective medical practice act or other applicable state law, a
member board may participate with other member boards in joint
investigations of physicians licensed by the member boards.
(c) A subpoena issued by a member state shall be enforceable
in other member states.
(d) Member boards may share any investigative, litigation, or
compliance materials in furtherance of any joint or individual investigation initiated under the compact.
(e) Any member state may investigate actual or alleged violations of the statutes authorizing the practice of medicine in any
other member state in which a physician holds a license to practice medicine.
(10) SECTION 10 — DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS. (a) Any disciplinary action taken by any member board against a physician licensed through the compact shall be deemed unprofessional conduct which may be subject to discipline by other member boards,
in addition to any violation of the medical practice act or regulations in that state.
(b) If a license granted to a physician by the member board in
the state of principal license is revoked, surrendered or relinquished in lieu of discipline, or suspended, then all licenses issued to the physician by member boards shall automatically be
placed, without further action necessary by any member board,
on the same status. If the member board in the state of principal
license subsequently reinstates the physician’s license, a license
issued to the physician by any other member board shall remain
encumbered until that respective member board takes action to
reinstate the license in a manner consistent with the medical practice act of that state.
(c) If disciplinary action is taken against a physician by a
member board not in the state of principal license, any other
member board may deem the action conclusive as to matter of
law and fact decided, and:
1. Impose the same or lesser sanctions against the physician
so long as such sanctions are consistent with the medical practice
act of that state; or
2. Pursue separate disciplinary action against the physician
under its respective medical practice act, regardless of the action
taken in other member states.
(d) If a license granted to a physician by a member board is revoked, surrendered or relinquished in lieu of discipline, or suspended, then any license issued to the physician by any other
member board shall be suspended, automatically and immediately without further action necessary by the other member
board, for 90 days upon entry of the order by the disciplining
board, to permit the member board to investigate the basis for the
action under the medical practice act of that state. A member
board may terminate the automatic suspension of the license it issued prior to the completion of the 90 day suspension period in a
manner consistent with the medical practice act of that state.
(11) SECTION 11 — I NTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT COMMISSION. (a) The member states hereby create the “Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission.”
(b) The purpose of the interstate commission is the administration of the interstate medical licensure compact, which is a discretionary state function.
(c) The interstate commission shall be a body corporate and
joint agency of the member states and shall have all the responsi-

bilities, powers, and duties set forth in the compact, and such additional powers as may be conferred upon it by a subsequent concurrent action of the respective legislatures of the member states
in accordance with the terms of the compact.
(d) The interstate commission shall consist of 2 voting representatives appointed by each member state who shall serve as
commissioners. In states where allopathic and osteopathic physicians are regulated by separate member boards, or if the licensing
and disciplinary authority is split between multiple member
boards within a member state, the member state shall appoint one
representative from each member board. A Commissioner shall
be:
1. An allopathic or osteopathic physician appointed to a
member board;
2. An executive director, executive secretary, or similar executive of a member board; or
3. A member of the public appointed to a member board.
(e) The interstate commission shall meet at least once each
calendar year. A portion of this meeting shall be a business meeting to address such matters as may properly come before the commission, including the election of officers. The chairperson may
call additional meetings and shall call for a meeting upon the request of a majority of the member states.
(f) The bylaws may provide for meetings of the interstate
commission to be conducted by telecommunication or electronic
communication.
(g) Each commissioner participating at a meeting of the interstate commission is entitled to one vote. A majority of commissioners shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business,
unless a larger quorum is required by the bylaws of the interstate
commission. A commissioner shall not delegate a vote to another
commissioner. In the absence of its commissioner, a member
state may delegate voting authority for a specified meeting to another person from that state who shall meet the requirements of
par. (d).
(h) The interstate commission shall provide public notice of
all meetings and all meetings shall be open to the public. The interstate commission may close a meeting, in full or in portion,
where it determines by a two-thirds vote of the commissioners
present that an open meeting would be likely to:
1. Relate solely to the internal personnel practices and procedures of the interstate commission;
2. Discuss matters specifically exempted from disclosure by
federal statute;
3. Discuss trade secrets, commercial, or financial information that is privileged or confidential;
4. Involve accusing a person of a crime, or formally censuring a person;
5. Discuss information of a personal nature where disclosure
would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal
privacy;
6. Discuss investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes; or
7. Specifically relate to the participation in a civil action or
other legal proceeding.
(i) The interstate commission shall keep minutes which shall
fully describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide
a full and accurate summary of actions taken, including record of
any roll call votes.
(j) The interstate commission shall make its information and
official records, to the extent not otherwise designated in the
compact or by its rules, available to the public for inspection.
(k) The interstate commission shall establish an executive
committee, which shall include officers, members, and others as
determined by the bylaws. The executive committee shall have
the power to act on behalf of the interstate commission, with the
exception of rule making, during periods when the interstate
commission is not in session. When acting on behalf of the interstate commission, the executive committee shall oversee the administration of the compact including enforcement and compliance with the provisions of the compact, its bylaws and rules, and
other such duties as necessary.
(L) The interstate commission may establish other committees for governance and administration of the compact.
(12) SECTION 12 — POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE INTERSTATE
COMMISSION. The interstate commission shall have the duty and
power to:
(a) Oversee and maintain the administration of the compact;
(b) Promulgate rules which shall be binding to the extent and
in the manner provided for in the compact;
(c) Issue, upon the request of a member state or member
board, advisory opinions concerning the meaning or interpretation of the compact, its bylaws, rules, and actions;
(d) Enforce compliance with compact provisions, the rules
promulgated by the interstate commission, and the bylaws, using
all necessary and proper means, including but not limited to the
use of judicial process;
(e) Establish and appoint committees including, but not limited to, an executive committee as required by sub. (11), which
shall have the power to act on behalf of the interstate commission
in carrying out its powers and duties;
(f) Pay, or provide for the payment of the expenses related to
the establishment, organization, and ongoing activities of the interstate commission;
(g) Establish and maintain one or more offices;
(h) Borrow, accept, hire, or contract for services of personnel;
(i) Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;
(j) Employ an executive director who shall have such powers
to employ, select or appoint employees, agents, or consultants,
and to determine their qualifications, define their duties, and fix
their compensation;
(k) Establish personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, rates of compensation, and qualifications of
personnel;
(L) Accept donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services, and to receive, utilize, and dispose
of it in a manner consistent with the conflict of interest policies
established by the interstate commission;
(m) Lease, purchase, accept contributions or donations of, or
otherwise to own, hold, improve or use, any property, real, personal, or mixed;
(n) Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon,
or otherwise dispose of any property, real, personal, or mixed;
(o) Establish a budget and make expenditures;
(p) Adopt a seal and bylaws governing the management and
operation of the interstate commission;
(q) Report annually to the legislatures and governors of the
member states concerning the activities of the interstate commission during the preceding year. Such reports shall also include reports of financial audits and any recommendations that may have
been adopted by the interstate commission;
(r) Coordinate education, training, and public awareness regarding the compact, its implementation, and its operation;
(s) Maintain records in accordance with the bylaws;
(t) Seek and obtain trademarks, copyrights, and patents; and
(u) Perform such functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of the compact.

(13) SECTION 13 — F INANCE POWERS. (a) The interstate
commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from
each member state to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the interstate commission and its staff. The total assessment must be sufficient to cover the annual budget approved each
year for which revenue is not provided by other sources. The aggregate annual assessment amount shall be allocated upon a formula to be determined by the interstate commission, which shall
promulgate a rule binding upon all member states.
(b) The interstate commission shall not incur obligations of
any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same.
(c) The interstate commission shall not pledge the credit of
any of the member states, except by, and with the authority of, the
member state.
(d) The interstate commission shall be subject to a yearly financial audit conducted by a certified or licensed public accountant and the report of the audit shall be included in the annual report of the interstate commission.
(14) SECTION 14 — ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE
INTERSTATE COMMISSION. (a) The interstate commission shall,
by a majority of commissioners present and voting, adopt bylaws
to govern its conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry
out the purposes of the compact within 12 months of the first interstate commission meeting.
(b) The interstate commission shall elect or appoint annually
from among its commissioners a chairperson, a vice-chairperson,
and a treasurer, each of whom shall have such authority and duties as may be specified in the bylaws. The chairperson, or in the
chairperson’s absence or disability, the vice-chairperson, shall
preside at all meetings of the interstate commission.
(c) Officers selected in par. (b) shall serve without remuneration from the interstate commission.
(d) 1. The officers and employees of the interstate commission shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or
in their official capacity, for a claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused or arising out
of, or relating to, an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that
occurred, or that such person had a reasonable basis for believing
occurred, within the scope of interstate commission employment,
duties, or responsibilities; provided that such person shall not be
protected from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability
caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of
such person.
2. The liability of the executive director and employees of the
interstate commission or representatives of the interstate commission, acting within the scope of such person’s employment or
duties for acts, errors, or omissions occurring within such person’s state, may not exceed the limits of liability set forth under
the constitution and laws of that state for state officials, employees, and agents. The interstate commission is considered to be an
instrumentality of the states for the purposes of any such action.
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to protect such person from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability
caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of
such person.
3. The interstate commission shall defend the executive director, its employees, and subject to the approval of the attorney
general or other appropriate legal counsel of the member state
represented by an interstate commission representative, shall defend such interstate commission representative in any civil action
seeking to impose liability arising out of an actual or alleged act,
error or omission that occurred within the scope of interstate
commission employment, duties or responsibilities, or that the
defendant had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within
the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or
omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton
misconduct on the part of such person.
4. To the extent not covered by the state involved, member
state, or the interstate commission, the representatives or employees of the interstate commission shall be held harmless in the
amount of a settlement or judgment, including attorney fees and
costs, obtained against such persons arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or
that such persons had a reasonable basis for believing occurred
within the scope of interstate commission employment, duties, or
responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or
omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton
misconduct on the part of such persons.
(15) SECTION 15 — R ULE-MAKING FUNCTIONS OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION. (a) The interstate commission shall
promulgate reasonable rules in order to effectively and efficiently
achieve the purposes of the compact. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the interstate commission exercises its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the scope of the purposes of the compact, or the powers granted hereunder, then such
an action by the interstate commission shall be invalid and have
no force or effect.
(b) Rules deemed appropriate for the operations of the interstate commission shall be made pursuant to a rule-making
process that substantially conforms to the “Model State Administrative Procedure Act” of 2010, and subsequent amendments
thereto.
(c) Not later than 30 days after a rule is promulgated, any person may file a petition for judicial review of the rule in the United
States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal
district where the interstate commission has its principal offices,
provided that the filing of such a petition shall not stay or otherwise prevent the rule from becoming effective unless the court
finds that the petitioner has a substantial likelihood of success.
The court shall give deference to the actions of the interstate commission consistent with applicable law and shall not find the rule
to be unlawful if the rule represents a reasonable exercise of the
authority granted to the interstate commission.
(16) SECTION 16 — O VERSIGHT OF INTERSTATE COMPACT.
(a) The executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government in each member state shall enforce the compact and shall
take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the compact’s purposes and intent. The provisions of the compact and
the rules promulgated hereunder shall have standing as statutory
law but shall not override existing state authority to regulate the
practice of medicine.
(b) All courts shall take judicial notice of the compact and the
rules in any judicial or administrative proceeding in a member
state pertaining to the subject matter of the compact which may
affect the powers, responsibilities or actions of the interstate
commission.
(c) The interstate commission shall be entitled to receive all
service of process in any such proceeding, and shall have standing
to intervene in the proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide
service of process to the interstate commission shall render a
judgment or order void as to the interstate commission, the compact, or promulgated rules.
(17) SECTION 17 — E NFORCEMENT OF INTERSTATE COMPACT. (a) The interstate commission, in the reasonable exercise
of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of the
compact.
(b) The interstate commission may, by majority vote of the
commissioners, initiate legal action in the United States District

Court for the District of Columbia, or, at the discretion of the interstate commission, in the federal district where the interstate
commission has its principal offices, to enforce compliance with
the provisions of the compact, and its promulgated rules and bylaws, against a member state in default. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all
costs of such litigation including reasonable attorney fees.
(c) The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of
the interstate commission. The interstate commission may avail
itself of any other remedies available under state law or the regulation of a profession.
(18) SECTION 18 — D EFAULT PROCEDURES. (a) The
grounds for default include, but are not limited to, failure of a
member state to perform such obligations or responsibilities imposed upon it by the compact, or the rules and bylaws of the interstate commission promulgated under the compact.
(b) If the interstate commission determines that a member
state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under the compact, or the bylaws or promulgated
rules, the interstate commission shall:
1. Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other
member states, of the nature of the default, the means of curing
the default, and any action taken by the interstate commission.
The interstate commission shall specify the conditions by which
the defaulting state must cure its default; and
2. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance
regarding the default.
(c) If the defaulting state fails to cure the default, the defaulting state shall be terminated from the compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the commissioners and all rights, privileges, and benefits conferred by the compact shall terminate on
the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does not
relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred
during the period of the default.
(d) Termination of membership in the compact shall be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have
been exhausted. Notice of intent to terminate shall be given by
the interstate commission to the governor, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state’s legislature, and each of the
member states.
(e) The interstate commission shall establish rules and procedures to address licenses and physicians that are materially impacted by the termination of a member state, or the withdrawal of
a member state.
(f) The member state which has been terminated is responsible for all dues, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the
effective date of termination including obligations, the performance of which extends beyond the effective date of termination.
(g) The interstate commission shall not bear any costs relating
to any state that has been found to be in default or which has been
terminated from the compact, unless otherwise mutually agreed
upon in writing between the interstate commission and the defaulting state.
(h) The defaulting state may appeal the action of the interstate
commission by petitioning the United States District Court for
the District of Columbia or the federal district where the interstate commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party
shall be awarded all costs of such litigation including reasonable
attorney fees.
(19) SECTION 19 — DISPUTE RESOLUTION. (a) The interstate
commission shall attempt, upon the request of a member state, to
resolve disputes which are subject to the compact and which may
arise among member states or member boards.
(b) The interstate commission shall promulgate rules providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution as
appropriate.
(20) SECTION 20 — M EMBER STATES, EFFECTIVE DATE AND
AMENDMENT. (a) Any state is eligible to become a member state
of the compact.
(b) The compact shall become effective and binding upon legislative enactment of the compact into law by no less than 7
states. Thereafter, it shall become effective and binding on a state
upon enactment of the compact into law by that state.
(c) The governors of non-member states, or their designees,
shall be invited to participate in the activities of the interstate
commission on a non-voting basis prior to adoption of the compact by all states.
(d) The interstate commission may propose amendments to
the compact for enactment by the member states. No amendment
shall become effective and binding upon the interstate commission and the member states unless and until it is enacted into law
by unanimous consent of the member states.
(21) SECTION 21 — W ITHDRAWAL. (a) Once effective, the
compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each
and every member state; provided that a member state may withdraw from the compact by specifically repealing the statute which
enacted the compact into law.
(b) Withdrawal from the compact shall be by the enactment of
a statute repealing the same, but shall not take effect until one
year after the effective date of such statute and until written notice of the withdrawal has been given by the withdrawing state to
the governor of each other member state.
(c) The withdrawing state shall immediately notify the chairperson of the interstate commission in writing upon the introduction of legislation repealing the compact in the withdrawing state.
(d) The interstate commission shall notify the other member
states of the withdrawing state’s intent to withdraw within 60
days of its receipt of notice provided under par. (c).
(e) The withdrawing state is responsible for all dues, obligations and liabilities incurred through the effective date of withdrawal, including obligations, the performance of which extend
beyond the effective date of withdrawal.
(f) Reinstatement following withdrawal of a member state
shall occur upon the withdrawing state reenacting the compact or
upon such later date as determined by the interstate commission.
(g) The interstate commission is authorized to develop rules
to address the impact of the withdrawal of a member state on licenses granted in other member states to physicians who designated the withdrawing member state as the state of principal
license.
(22) SECTION 22 — D ISSOLUTION. (a) The compact shall
dissolve effective upon the date of the withdrawal or default of the
member state which reduces the membership in the compact to
one member state.
(b) Upon the dissolution of the compact, the compact becomes null and void and shall be of no further force or effect, and
the business and affairs of the interstate commission shall be concluded and surplus funds shall be distributed in accordance with
the bylaws.
(23) SECTION 23 — SEVERABILITY AND CONSTRUCTION. (a)
The provisions of the compact shall be severable, and if any
phrase, clause, sentence, or provision is deemed unenforceable,
the remaining provisions of the compact shall be enforceable.
(b) The provisions of the compact shall be liberally construed
to effectuate its purposes.
(c) Nothing in the compact shall be construed to prohibit the
applicability of other interstate compacts to which the states are
members.

(24) SECTION 24 — B INDING EFFECT OF COMPACT AND
OTHER LAWS. (a) Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of
any other law of a member state that is not inconsistent with the
compact.
(b) All laws in a member state in conflict with the compact are
superseded to the extent of the conflict.
(c) All lawful actions of the interstate commission, including
all rules and bylaws promulgated by the commission, are binding
upon the member states.
(d) All agreements between the interstate commission and the
member states are binding in accordance with their terms.
(e) In the event any provision of the compact exceeds the constitutional limits imposed on the legislature of any member state,
such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of the conflict
with the constitutional provision in question in that member state.

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