Mississippi Passes Law to Speed up Physician Licensing Across State Lines

Out-of-state physicians could get licensed to practice in Mississippi more quickly, under a new law.

Gov. Phil Bryant signed House Bill 41 on May 16, and it became law right away.

It adds Mississippi to an agreement among states to share information and speed up licensing for physicians to work across state lines. Instead of applying to each state separately, physicians would apply to one commission offering expedited licenses for one or more other states.

Medical officials say it could attract physicians to medically underserved areas.

Alabama is currently the only state bordering Mississippi that’s part of the agreement.

The compact, drafted by the national Federation of State Medical Boards, has yet to issue any licenses or set fees, but officials aim to shorten a months-long process to four weeks.