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.