License Renewal - Frequently Asked Questions

When can I expect to receive my renewal application?

Renewal applications are sent by U.S. Mail to the physician's address of record approximately 90 days prior to the expiration date of a license. If you do not receive a renewal application two months prior to your license expiration date, contact the Board at (916) 263-2382 or (800) 633-2322 to request a duplicate renewal application. To ensure timely receipt of renewal applications, always keep the Board informed of any address changes. It is the responsibility of the licensee to renew his or her license whether a notice has been received or not.

You also may renew online.

You are eligible to renew online if:

1. Your license is in active status.
2. Your license is delinquent by no more than 90 days.

Online renewals are processed within 48-72 hours.

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What is required to renew a license?

Payment of the renewal fee, the $25 mandatory fee for the Physician Loan Repayment Program, and completion of the following sections of the license renewal application:

1. Certification that you have met the continuing medical education (CME) requirements for renewal or that you meet the conditions that would exempt you from all or part of the requirements
2. Certification that you have disclosed on the renewal form the names of health-related facilities in which you or your family have a financial interest
3. Response to the License Discipline/Conviction Question
4. Completion of the Physician Survey

Note: Your signature is required on both the continuing medical education statement and the financial interest statement. Failure to sign these two statements will hold up the renewal of your license.

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How much is the renewal fee?

The current license renewal fee is $808. This includes the $25 mandatory fee for the Physician Loan Repayment Program.

Every physician whose license expires on or after April 30, 2009, is required by law to pay a $25 mandatory fee to the Physician Loan Repayment Program.

The Physician Loan Repayment Program encourages recently licensed physicians to practice in underserved locations in California by authorizing a plan of repayment of their medical school loans in exchange for their service in a designated medically underserved area for a minimum of three years.

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Are there any reduced fees?

A physician may be exempt from paying the $808 renewal fee if he or she meets one of the following conditions and submits the appropriate application before the expiration date of his or her license: military, retired, voluntary service or disabled status.

Physicians who apply for, or renew a license under, military, retired, voluntary service, or disabled status are required to pay the $25 mandatory fee for the Physician Loan Repayment Program at the time of application or renewal. If the mandatory fee is not received, the license will be placed in a delinquent status and a pocket license will not be issued.

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What is the delinquent fee and when do I have to pay it?

In addition to the renewal fee, a delinquent fee equal to 10% of the renewal fee will be added if payment is not received within 30 days following the expiration date of the license.

If the license is not renewed within 90 days following the expiration date, a penalty fee of 50% of the renewal fee will be added to the delinquent and renewal fees already owed.

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I didn't get my renewal application because my address changed. Do I have to pay the delinquent fee?

Yes. A physician is required by law to notify the Medical Board in writing within 30 days of a change of address.

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Why do I have to pay?

California law requires that to maintain an active, current license, each physician, including out-of-state physicians, must pay the full biennial renewal fee at the time of license renewal.

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I'm leaving the country. Can I pay my renewal fee ahead of time?

No. The renewal must be paid within the 90 days prior to the expiration of the license.

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