Iowa joins a compact for faster podiatrist licenses across states

Eligible podiatric physicians may apply for an expedited license in another member state through the compact. Applicants must hold a full, unrestricted license in a member state and meet the compact's education, examination, residency, certification, criminal, disciplinary, controlled-substance, and investigation requirements. The physician must choose a state of principal license based on residence, practice, employer, or federal tax residence. The principal state board must verify eligibility, conduct a criminal background check, and issue a qualification letter. Applicants must complete the commission's registration process and pay applicable fees. The license remains subject to the issuing state's practice laws, renewal rules, and continuing education requirements. The compact becomes binding in Iowa after at least four states enact it and becomes binding in each state when that state enacts it.

Member licensing boards must share specified public complaints, disciplinary information, and investigation information through the compact's system. The rules cover podiatric physicians who apply for or hold expedited licenses through the compact and the boards of member states. Shared information must be kept confidential, filed under seal, and used only for investigations or discipline. A discipline or license suspension in one member state may lead to matching action or temporary automatic suspension in other member states. Boards retain authority to investigate and discipline under their own state's podiatry laws. A license issued through the compact may be automatically affected when a member board enters a suspension, revocation, or similar disciplinary order.

Member states create an interstate commission to administer the compact, make rules, collect fees or assessments, and enforce compact duties. The commission includes one voting representative from each member state and operates under the compact's rules, bylaws, and member-state laws. The commission may assess member states for operating costs and may charge or oversee fees for expedited licenses. The compact does not override a state's authority to regulate podiatric medicine. A state may withdraw by repealing its compact law, but withdrawal generally takes effect one year later after written notice. The compact takes effect after at least four states enact it; Iowa's participation begins when Iowa's enactment is effective under that requirement.