Military Information

Any physician who is engaged in full-time training or active service in the Armed Forces or in the United States Public Health Service may be eligible for exemption from payment of the renewal fee. However, California Business and Professions Code (B&P) section 2436.5 requires licensees to pay a mandatory fee of $25.00 at time of renewal of a physician's and surgeon's license to the Physician Loan Repayment Program and B&P section 208 requires licensees to pay a $12.00 mandatory fee at the time of renewal for the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System / Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (CURES/PDMP). The Physician Loan Repayment Program and the CURES/PDMP encourage 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. The CURES/PDMP allows pre-registered users, including physicians and other licensed health care prescribers, pharmacists, law enforcement, and regulatory board to access timely patient controlled substance history information. Access to this information assists health care professionals in identifying possible prescription drug abuse.

Anyone receiving a military exemption may not engage in any private practice, will be liable for payment of the current renewal fee upon discharge from full-time active service, and will have 60 days after becoming eligible within which to pay the renewal fee before late fees are assessed.

Physicians in military status must still meet all continuing medical education (CME) requirements.

To receive a fee exemption, a licensee must apply for the status change before the expiration date of the license. If the license is current, no fee is required.

If the license is in a delinquent status, a payment of all accrued renewal fees, delinquent fee, the $25.00 and $12.00 mandatory fees, and penalty fee must be submitted with the application.

At the time of discharge, the physician must notify the Board and request the license be restored to active status.

For further information, please contact the Consumer Information Unit at (800) 633-2322 or (916) 263-2382.

Business and Professions Code section 2440

Expedited Licensure for Spouses or Domestic Partners of Active Duty Military Personnel

Beginning January 1, 2013, the Medical Board of California is required to expedite the licensure/registration process for spouses and domestic partners of those on active duty in the Armed Forces.

For an applicant’s license/registration to be expedited, the applicant must:

  • Supply evidence that they are married to, or in a domestic partnership or other legal union with, an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is assigned to a duty station in California under official orders, and;
  • Hold a current license/registration in another state, district or territory of the United States in the profession or vocation for which the applicant is seeking a license/registration.

Please note that this does not mean a license/registration must be issued, but simply requires the process to be accelerated for spouses and domestic partners of active duty military personnel.

If you have question or need further information please contact webmaster@mbc.ca.gov.

Business and Professions Code Section 115.5

Expedited Licensure for Honorably Discharged Veterans of Armed Forces

Effective July 1, 2016, the Medical Board of California is required to expedite the licensure process for applicants who have served as active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States and were honorably discharged. For an applicant’s license to be expedited, the applicant must include his or her official orders issued by the Armed Forces of the United States indicating that he or she has been, or will be, honorably discharged.

Please note that this does not mean a license must be issued, but simply requires the process to be accelerated for individuals who have served as active duty members of the military and were honorably discharged.

If you have question or need further information please contact webmaster@mbc.ca.gov.