But Dr. Strong questioned whether the compact can save costs and time, while still conducting necessary evaluations of participating physicians.
"While logistically, an interstate licensing compact makes sense – lower cost, markedly reduced effort on the part of the licensing boards and credentialing committees, greater mobility for physicians – I believe it must include a very extensive investigation into each physician, such that the savings in cost, time, and effort may not be as great as one might think at first glance," he said in an interview. "To institute an interstate compact, the licensing process will have to include every conceivable detail and meet the standards of every state, which undoubtedly will be a difficult task and which will not provide the simplicity I think many physicians hope for."
The state boards of medicine intend to present the final compact draft to state legislators for their consideration in 2015 legislative sessions.