Where the Podiatry Compact Stands: Iowa, Maryland and the Four-State Threshold

The Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact becomes "effective and binding upon legislative enactment of the Compact into law by no less than four (4) states," according to Section 20(b) of its model law. As of September 1, 2026, the count stands at two, and one of those two has written a condition into its own law. The compact is not active, and there is no application, fee or Commission. Here is where each state stands, from the legislatures' own records.

Which states have enacted the podiatry compact?

Iowa

Iowa's governor approved House File 2498, "an Act enacting the interstate podiatric medical licensure compact," on June 2, 2026. The enacted text includes the same four-state activation rule as the model law.

Maryland

Maryland's Senate Bill 333 (cross-filed as House Bill 619) passed the Senate 45 to 0 and the House 136 to 1, and was approved by the governor as Chapter 71 on April 14, 2026. The legislature lists its effective date as October 1, 2026, with a "Contingency - on adoption of an interstate compact." The bill synopsis spells it out: the act is "contingent on the enactment of substantially similar provisions in four other states."

Does Maryland count toward the four?

That is the open question. The model law counts states that have enacted the compact into law. Maryland has enacted it, but on its own terms Maryland's law does not take effect until four other states have enacted similar provisions. If Iowa and three more states enact it, the compact would reach four without needing Maryland at all, and Maryland's condition would then be met too. Until a fourth state acts, the difference does not matter: the compact is not active either way.

Where do the other bills stand?

• Ohio: Senate Bill 354 was introduced on February 10, 2026, passed the Senate on May 20, 2026 with 30 votes in favor, and was referred to a House committee on May 27, 2026. It has not been enacted.
• Pennsylvania: House Bill 2745, "authorizing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact," was referred to the House Professional Licensure committee on August 24, 2026.
• Florida: Senate Bill 1312 was filed January 7, 2026 and "Died in Health Policy" on March 13, 2026.
• Arizona: House Bill 2438 passed the House on February 25, 2026. In the Senate it was assigned to committees on March 9, 2026, with no action recorded, and it was not enacted.

Is a fourth state enough to open applications?

No. Reaching four states starts the compact; it does not make it usable. The member states would then create the Interstate Podiatric Medical Licensure Compact Commission, with one commissioner from each member state (Section 11). The Commission writes the rules that govern applications, fees, renewals and information sharing. Until those rules and a licensing system exist, no board can issue a letter of qualification.

The IPMLC's own summary is candid about timing: the compact "will be activated once four states adopt the model legislation, and historically, licensure compacts can take up to 24 months to become fully operational after activation." The IPMLC's history page had projected a Commission's inaugural meeting for early 2026, which depended on reaching four states. The IMLC Commission, which runs the physician compact, created a subsidiary in November 2025 to offer its licensing technology to smaller compacts, which could shorten the build, but none of this produces a date.

What does this mean for podiatrists licensing now?

Three practical points:

1. Do not wait for the compact. If you need a license in another state in the next year or two, use that state's endorsement, universal recognition or full application route. See podiatry license by endorsement.
2. Check whether you would even qualify. The model law requires CPME-recognized specialty certification and a record with no discipline other than fee matters, no convictions and no controlled substance actions. Many podiatrists will use the ordinary routes even after the compact opens. See who would qualify.
3. Watch your target states. A license issued through the compact would still fall under each state's own practice act, so a Maryland or Iowa license through the compact would carry that state's scope.

How can you hear when something changes?

Join the free Compact Notification List on the state license index. It costs nothing and is the only compact service offered, because there is nothing to apply for. For licenses you need now, a Podiatry Licensure Readiness Review ($149, credited toward your first application) finds the fastest current route in each state. More on how the compact would work is in the podiatry compact, explained.