Midwifery License Renewal
The license to practice midwifery in California must be renewed every two years, which requires payment of the current fee and certification of 36 hours of approved continuing education. Licenses expire at 11:59 p.m. on the expiration date, which is the last day of the month in which it was issued. It is illegal to practice midwifery with an expired license.
Once you receive the paper Renewal Notice in the mail, you may submit the Renewal Notice and fees directly to the Board by mailing the documents to:
Medical Board of California
2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1200
Sacramento, CA 95815
Please make check or money order payable to the Medical Board of California.
The Renewal Notice includes:
- Disciplinary Action/Conviction Disclosure
- Continued Medical Education Certification
Renewal Notices
The Board will mail you the paper Renewal Notice to your Address of Record (AOR) 120 days prior to your license’s expiration date.Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing. If a renewal notice is not received, the license must still be renewed before the expiration date on the license.
General Information
Disciplinary Action Disclosure:
When renewing, each licensee must disclose whether they have had any license disciplined by a government agency or other disciplinary body, or, have been convicted of any crime in any state, the USA and its territories, military court or a foreign country. License includes permits, registrations and certificates.
Conviction includes a plea of no contest and any conviction that has been set aside or deferred pursuant to sections 1000 or 1203.4 of the Penal Code, including infractions, misdemeanor, and felonies. You do not need to report a conviction for an infraction with a fine of less than $300 unless the infraction involved alcohol or controlled substances.
Discipline includes, but is not limited to, suspension, revocation, voluntary surrender, probation, or any other restriction.
For additional information, please contact the Medical Board's Consumer Information Unit:
- Toll-Free: 1-800-633-2322
- Phone: (916) 263-2382
- Fax: (916) 263-2435
Failure to Renew:
Practicing midwifery without a valid license may lead to disciplinary action against a midwife.
If you have not renewed your license within 30 days following the expiration date, the Board will notify you by certified mail. In addition, your license status will be displayed as “Delinquent” on the Board’s website.
If a license is renewed more than 30 days following the expiration date, the midwife is required to pay a $50 delinquency fee, in addition to the standard renewal fee. If you complete the renewal process within six months of the expiration date, your license will be renewed retroactively.
A delinquent license may be renewed within five years from the expiration date upon payment of the current and accrued fees and certification of completing the continuing education requirements.
After a license has been in "delinquent" status for five years, the license is automatically canceled. A canceled license may not be reactivated. The midwife must apply for a new license and meet the current licensure requirements.
Fees Requirement
The renewal fee for a Midwife's license $200.00. The renewed license is valid for two years.
Delinquent Fees: In addition to the renewal fee, a delinquent fee of $50 will be added if payment is not received within 30 days following the expiration date of the license.
Expired Licenses: The Board will need to determine the correct renewal and delinquent fees. Please contact the Board at (916) 263-2382 to obtain the current amount you will need to pay.
Note: In accordance with Section 2428 of the California Business and Professions Code, a midwife whose California license expired five or more years ago must apply for a new license and meet the current licensing requirements in effect at the time of application.
Inactive License Status: Licensed Midwives who have been issued an Inactive Status License must pay the normal renewal fee, but are exempt from the continuing education requirement. The holder of an inactive status license may not engage in the practice of midwifery.
Renewal Notices: The Board will mail you the paper Renewal Notice to your Address of Record (AOR) 120 days prior to your license’s expiration date. Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing. If a renewal notice is not received, the license must still be renewed before the expiration date on the license.
Retired License Status: Licensed Midwives who have been issued a Retired Status License are exempt from paying the renewal fee and the requirement for continuing education. The holder of a retired status license may not engage in the practice of midwifery.
Renewal Restrictions:
You may not be able to renew your license if you have been identified to have outstanding tax obligations or family support issues.