HARRISBURG, PA — Governor Josh Shapiro announced this week that Pennsylvania is now a full participant in three major multistate licensure compacts, a move designed to address critical health care staffing shortages and improve patient access to care across the Commonwealth.
The initiative enables qualified doctors, nurses, and physical therapists licensed in other states to begin practicing in Pennsylvania within days, rather than waiting months to navigate traditional licensing requirements. This change is expected to significantly streamline employment opportunities for more than 380,000 health care professionals in Pennsylvania and help fill vital gaps in care.
Speaking at WellSpan Education Center in York alongside Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt and health care leaders, Governor Shapiro highlighted the importance of reducing bureaucratic barriers to support both providers and patients.
“Thanks to the diligent, continuous hard work of the Department of State — and the support of bipartisan leaders in the House and Senate — we’ve finally leveled the playing field for doctors, nurses, and physical therapists in Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said. “At a time when Pennsylvania is facing real health care worker shortages, this move will make it easier to attract and retain qualified professionals and help fill critical gaps in care across the Commonwealth.”
Pennsylvania’s participation includes the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), and Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (PT Compact). These agreements allow providers to work in multiple states without the need to obtain individual licenses in each jurisdiction, a strategy designed to ease workforce mobility and address shortages.
Approximately 14 percent of nursing positions across Pennsylvania remain vacant, with rates climbing as high as 26 percent in rural areas. By 2026, the state is projected to face a shortfall of around 20,000 nurses, underscoring the urgency of these reforms.
In addition to cutting red tape, the Shapiro Administration has implemented several other measures to strengthen the health care workforce, including reducing license processing times dramatically and eliminating backlogs in Medicaid provider enrollment. The Administration has also proposed further investments in loan repayment programs and tuition assistance to attract new providers, particularly in underserved areas.
Supporters say these policy shifts will not only improve patient care but also create greater job flexibility and security for health care professionals, ultimately helping to stabilize Pennsylvania’s health system for years to come.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.