Disclosed is a method and apparatus for configuring an external device so that may communicate with and an implantable medical device in accordance with a desired telemetry protocols. The external device utilizes a configurable telemetry module that comprises a protocol driver that interacts with a transmit driver and a receive driver, both of which can be configured to process a telemetry signal in accordance with the necessary telemetry protocol for communicating with the implantable medical device. Once the transmit and receive drivers are configured, the telemetry module and its associated external device, e.g., a physician programmer, are enabled to communicate with the implantable medical device.