MS Code § 73-25-101 (2020)
2020 Mississippi Code|Title 73 - Professions and Vocations|Chapter 25 - Physicians|Interstate Medical Licensure Compact|§ 73-25-101. Interstate Medical Licensure Compact created

 The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact is enacted into law and entered into by this state with any and all states legally joining in the Compact in accordance with its terms, in the form substantially as follows:   INTERSTATE MEDICALLICENSURE COMPACT   SECTION 1   Purpose   In order to strengthen access to health care, and in recognition of the advances in thedeliveryof health care, the member states of the Interstate MedicalLicensureCompact have allied in common purpose to develop a comprehensiveprocessthat complements the existing licensing and regulatory authorityofstate medical boards, provides a streamlined process that allowsphysiciansto become licensed in multiple states, thereby enhancingthe portabilityof a medical license and ensuring the safety of patients.The Compactcreates another pathway for licensure and does not otherwisechangea state's existing Medical Practice Act. The Compactalso adoptsthe prevailing standard for licensure and affirms thatthe practiceof medicine occurs where the patient is located at thetime of thephysician-patient encounter, and therefore, requiresthe physicianto be under the jurisdiction of the state medical boardwhere thepatient is located. State medical boards that participatein the Compactretain the jurisdiction to impose an adverse actionagainst a licenseto practice medicine in that state issued to aphysician through theprocedures in the Compact.   SECTION 2   Definitions   In this Compact:   "Bylaws" means those bylaws established by the Interstate Commission pursuant to Section 11 for its governance, or for directing and controlling its actions and conduct.   "Commissioner" means the voting representative appointed by each member board pursuant to Section 11.   "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 forpurposesof disciplinary action by a member board.   "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.   "Interstate Commission" means the interstate commission created pursuant to Section 11.   "License" means authorization by a state for a physician to engage in the practice of medicine, which would be unlawful without the authorization.   "Medical Practice Act" means laws and regulations governing the practice of allopathic and osteopathic medicine within a member state.   "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.   "Member state" means a state that has enacted the Compact.   "Practice of medicine" means the clinical prevention, diagnosis, ortreatmentof human disease, injury, or condition requiring a physicianto obtainand maintain a license in compliance with the Medical PracticeActof a member state.   "Physician" means any person who:    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;   Passed each component of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA) within three (3) attempts, or any of its predecessor examinations accepted by a state medical board as an equivalent examination for licensure purposes;   Successfully completed graduate medical education approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association;   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;   Possesses a full and unrestricted license to engage in the practice of medicine issued by a member board;   Has never been convicted, received adjudication, deferred adjudication, community supervision, or deferred disposition for any offense by a court of appropriate jurisdiction;   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 nonpayment of fees related to a license;   Has never had a controlled substance license or permit suspended or revoked byastate or the United States Drug Enforcement Administration; and   Is not under active investigation by a licensing agency or law enforcement authority in any state, federal, or foreign jurisdiction.  SECTION 3   Eligibility    A physician must meet the eligibility requirements as defined in Section 2(k) to receive an expedited license under the terms and provisions of the Compact.   A physician who does not meet the requirements of Section 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, relatingtothe issuance of a license to practice medicine in that state.  SECTION 4   Designation of State of Principal License    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:   A physician may redesignate a member state as state of principal license at any time, as long as the state meets the requirements in subsection (a).     The Interstate Commission is authorized to develop rules to facilitate redesignation of another member state as the state of principal license.  SECTION 5   Application andIssuance of Expedited Licensure    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.   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.   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.   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 United States Code of Federal Regulation Section 731.202.   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.   Upon verification in subsection (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 subsection (a), including the payment of any applicable fees.     After receiving verification of eligibility under subsection (b) and any fees under subsection (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.   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.   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 nondisciplinary reason, without redesignation of a new state of principal licensure.   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.  SECTION 6   Fees for ExpeditedLicensure   SECTION 7   Renewal and Continued Participation   SECTION 8   Coordinated Information System   SECTION 9   Joint Investigations   SECTION 10   Disciplinary Actions   SECTION 11   Interstate MedicalLicensure Compact Commission    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.   The Interstate Commission is authorized to develop rules regarding fees for expedited licenses.   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:   Physicians shall comply with all continuing professional development or continuing medical education requirements for renewal of a license issued by a member state.   The Interstate Commission shall collect any renewal fees charged for the renewal of a license and distribute the fees to the applicable member board.   Upon receipt of any renewal fees collected in subsection (c), a member board shall renew the physician's license.   Physician information collected by the Interstate Commission during the renewal process will be distributed to all member boards.   The Interstate Commission is authorized to develop rules to address renewal of licenses obtained through the Compact.   The Interstate Commission shall establish a database of all physicians licensed, or who have applied for licensure, under Section 5.   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.   Member boards shall report disciplinary or investigatory information determined as necessary and proper by rule of the Interstate Commission.   Member boards may report any nonpublic complaint, disciplinary, or investigatory information not required by subsection (c) to the Interstate Commission.   Member boards shall share complaint or disciplinary information about a physician upon request of another member board.   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.   The Interstate Commission is authorized to develop rules for mandated or discretionary sharing of information by member boards.   Licensure and disciplinary records of physicians are deemed investigative.   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.   A subpoena issued by a member state shall be enforceable in other member states.   Member boards may share any investigative, litigation, or compliance materialsinfurtherance of any joint or individual investigation initiatedunderthe Compact.   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.   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.   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 takesactionto reinstate the license in a manner consistent with the MedicalPracticeAct of that state.   If disciplinary action is taken against a physician by a member board not in thestateof principal license, any other member board may deem the actionconclusiveas to matter of law and fact decided, and:   Impose the same or lesser sanction(s) against the physician so long as such sanctions are consistent with the Medical Practice Act of that state; or   Pursue separate disciplinary action against the physician under its respective Medical Practice Act, regardless of the action taken in other member states.   If a license granted to a physician by a member board is revoked, surrenderedorrelinquished in lieu of discipline, or suspended, then any license(s) issued to the physician by any other member board(s) shall be suspended, automatically and immediately without further action necessary by the other member board(s), for ninety (90) days upon entry of the order by the disciplining board, to permit the member board(s) 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 ninety (90) day suspension period in a manner consistent with the Medical Practice Act of that state.   The member states create the "Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission."   The purpose of the Interstate Commission is the administration of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which is a discretionary state function.   The Interstate Commission shall be a body corporate and joint agency of the member states and shall have all the responsibilities, 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.   The Interstate Commission shall consist of two voting representatives appointedbyeach member state who shall serve as Commissioners. In stateswhereallopathic and osteopathic physicians are regulated by separatememberboards, or if the licensing and disciplinary authority issplit betweenmultiple member boards within a member state, the memberstate shallappoint one (1) representative from each member board.A Commissionershall be a(n):   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.   The bylaws may provide for meetings of the Interstate Commission to be conducted by telecommunication or electronic communication.   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 shallnotdelegate a vote to another Commissioner. In the absence of itsCommissioner,a member state may delegate voting authority for aspecified meetingto another person from that state who shall meetthe requirementsof subsection (d).     The Interstate Commission shall provide public notice of all meetings and all meetings shall be open to the public. The Interstate Commission may closeameeting, in full or in portion, where it determines by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Commissioners present that an open meeting would be likely to:  Relate solely to the internal personnel practices and procedures of the Interstate Commission;   Discuss matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal statute;   Discuss trade secrets, commercial, or financial information that is privilegedorconfidential;   Specifically relate to the participation in a civil action or other legal proceeding.   Discuss investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes; or   Discuss information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearlyunwarrantedinvasion of personal privacy;   Involve accusing a person of a crime, or formally censuring a person;    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.   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.   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 rulemaking, 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.   The Interstate Commission may establish other committees for governance and administration of the Compact.  SECTION 12   Powers and Dutiesof the Interstate Commission   The Interstate Commission shall have the duty and power to:    Oversee and maintain the administration of the Compact;   Promulgate rules which shall be binding to the extent and in the manner provided for in the Compact;   Issue, upon the request of a member state or member board, advisory opinions concerning the meaning or interpretation of the Compact, its bylaws, rules,andactions;   Enforce compliance with Compact provisions, the rules promulgated by the InterstateCommission,and the bylaws, using all necessary and proper means,including butnot limited to the use of judicial process;   Establish and appoint committees, including but not limited to an executive committee as required by Section 11, which shall have the power to act on behalf of the Interstate Commission in carrying out its powers and duties;   Pay, or provide for the payment of the expenses related to the establishment, organization, and ongoing activities of the Interstate Commission;   Establish and maintain one or more offices;   Borrow, accept, hire, or contract for services of personnel;   Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;   Employ an executive director who shall have such powers to employ, select or appointemployees,agents, or consultants, and to determine their qualifications,definetheir duties, and fix their compensation;   Establish personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, rates of compensation, and qualifications of personnel;   Accept donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services, and to receive, utilize, and dispose of it in a mannerconsistentwith the conflict of interest policies established bythe InterstateCommission;     Lease, purchase, accept contributions or donations of, or otherwise to own, hold,improveor use, any property, real, personal, or mixed;   Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise disposeofany property, real, personal, or mixed;   Establish a budget and make expenditures;   Adopt a seal and bylaws governing the management and operation of the Interstate Commission;   Report annually to the legislatures and governors of the member states concerning the activities of the Interstate Commission during the precedingyear.Such reports shall also include reports of financial auditsand anyrecommendations that may have been adopted by the InterstateCommission;   Coordinate education, training, and public awareness regarding the Compact, its implementation, and its operation;   Maintain records in accordance with the bylaws;   Seek and obtain trademarks, copyrights, and patents; and   Perform such functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of the Compact.  SECTION 13   Finance Powers   SECTION 14   Organizationand Operation of the Interstate Commission   SECTION 15   Rulemaking Functionsof the Interstate Commission   SECTION 16   Oversight ofInterstate Compact   SECTION 17   Enforcement ofInterstate Compact   SECTION 18   Default Procedures   SECTION 19   Dispute Resolution   SECTION 20   Member States, Effective Date and Amendment   SECTION 21   Withdrawal   SECTION 22   Dissolution   SECTION 23   Severability and Construction   SECTION 24   Binding Effectof Compact and OtherLaws    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 theInterstateCommission, which shall promulgate a rule binding uponall memberstates.   The Interstate Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same.   The Interstate Commission shall not pledge the credit of any of the member states, except by, and with the authority of, the member state.   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.   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 twelve (12) months of the first Interstate Commission meeting.   The Interstate Commission shall elect or appoint annually from among its Commissioners a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and a treasurer, each of whomshallhave 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.   Officers selected in subsection (b) shall serve without remuneration from the Interstate Commission.   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.   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 thepurposesof the Compact, or the powers granted hereunder, then suchan actionby the Interstate Commission shall be invalid and haveno force oreffect.   Rules deemed appropriate for the operations of the Interstate Commission shall be made pursuant to a rulemaking process that substantially conforms to the "Model State Administrative Procedure Act" of 2010, and subsequent amendments thereto.   Not later than thirty (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 wheretheInterstate Commission has its principal offices, provided thatthefiling of such a petition shall not stay or otherwise preventtherule from becoming effective unless the court finds that thepetitionerhas a substantial likelihood of success. The court shallgive deferenceto the actions of the Interstate Commission consistentwith applicablelaw and shall not find the rule to be unlawful ifthe rule representsa reasonable exercise of the authority grantedto the Interstate Commission.   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.   All courts shall take judicial notice of the Compact and the rules in any judicial or administrative proceeding in a member state pertaining to thesubjectmatter of the Compact which may affect the powers, responsibilities or actions of the Interstate Commission.   The Interstate Commission shall be entitled to receive all service of process in any such proceeding, and shall have standing to intervene in theproceedingfor all purposes. Failure to provide service of processto the InterstateCommission shall render a judgment or order voidas to the InterstateCommission, the Compact, or promulgated rules.   The Interstate Commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of the Compact.   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.Therelief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages.In theevent judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing partyshallbe awarded all costs of such litigation including reasonableattorney'sfees.   The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the Interstate Commission. The Interstate Commission may avail itself of any other remediesavailableunder state law or the regulation of a profession.   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.   If the Interstate Commission determines that a member state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under the Compact, or thebylawsor promulgated rules, the Interstate Commission shall:   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.   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, themajorityand minority leaders of the defaulting state's legislature, and each of the member states.   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.   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.   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.   The defaulting state may appeal the action of the Interstate Commission by petitioning the United States District Court for the District of Columbia orthefederal district where the Interstate Commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of suchlitigationincluding reasonable attorney's fees.   The Interstate Commission shall attempt, upon the request of a member state, toresolvedisputes which are subject to the Compact and which may ariseamongmember states or member boards.   The Interstate Commission shall promulgate rules providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution as appropriate.   Any state is eligible to become a member state of the Compact.   The Compact shall become effective and binding upon legislative enactment of the Compact into law by no less than seven (7) states. Thereafter, it shall become effective and binding on a state upon enactment of the Compact into law by that state.   The governors of nonmember states, or their designees, shall be invited to participate in the activities of the Interstate Commission on a nonvoting basis prior to adoption of the Compact by all states.   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.   Once effective,the Compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each andevery member state; provided that a member state may withdraw fromthe Compact by specifically repealing the statute which enacted theCompact into law.   Withdrawal fromthe Compact shall be by the enactment of a statute repealing the same,but shall not take effect until one (1) year after the effective dateof such statute and until written notice of the withdrawalhasbeengiven by the withdrawing state to the Governor of eachothermemberstate.   The withdrawingstate shall immediately notify the chairperson of the Interstate Commissionin writing upon the introduction of legislation repealing the Compactin the withdrawing state.   The InterstateCommission shall notify the other member states of the withdrawingstate's intent to withdraw within sixty (60) days of itsreceipt of notice provided under subsection (c).   The withdrawingstate is responsible for all dues, obligations and liabilities incurredthrough the effective date of withdrawal, including obligations, theperformance of which extend beyond the effective date of withdrawal.   Reinstatementfollowing withdrawal of a member state shall occur upon the withdrawingstate reenacting the Compact or upon such later date as determinedby the Interstate Commission.   The InterstateCommission is authorized to develop rules to address the impactof the withdrawal of a member state on licenses granted in othermember states to physicians who designated the withdrawing memberstateasthe state of principal license.   The Compact shall dissolve effective upon the date of the withdrawal or default ofthemember state which reduces the membership in the Compact to one(1)member state.   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.   The provisionsof the Compact shall be severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence,or provision is deemed unenforceable, the remaining provisions ofthe Compact shall be enforceable.   The provisionsof the Compact shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes.   Nothing in theCompact shall be construed to prohibit the applicability of otherinterstate compacts to which the states are members.   Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any other law of a member state thatisnot inconsistent with the Compact.   All laws in a member state in conflict with the Compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict.   All lawful actions of the Interstate Commission, including all rules and bylaws promulgated by the Commission, are binding upon the member states.   All agreements between the Interstate Commission and the member states are binding in accordance with their terms.   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.        "Offense" means a felony, gross misdemeanor, or crime of moral turpitude.   "Rule" means a written statement by the Interstate Commission promulgated pursuant to Section 12 of the Compact 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.   "State" means any state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United States.   "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.   The state of primary residence for the physician, or   The state where at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the practice of medicine occurs, or   The location of the physician's employer, or   If no state qualifies under subsection (1), subsection (2), or subsection (3), the state designated as state of residence for purpose of federal income tax.   Maintains a full and unrestricted license in a state of principal license;   Has not been convicted, received adjudication, deferred adjudication, community supervision, or deferred disposition for any offense by a court of appropriate jurisdiction;   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 nonpayment of fees related to a license; and   Has not had a controlled substance license or permit suspended or revoked by astateor the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.   Allopathic or osteopathic physician appointed to a member board;   Executive director, executive secretary, or similar executive of a member board; or   Member of the public appointed to a member board.   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 subsection shall be construed to protect such person from suit or liabilityfordamage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentionalor willfuland wanton misconduct of such person.   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, orresponsibilities,provided that the actual or alleged act, error,or omission did notresult from intentional or willful and wantonmisconduct on the partof such person.   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's 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.   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   Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.