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Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the top FAQs for the Board. Have a different question? Search the FAQs by keyword or filter by topic. If you still haven't found your answer, contact the Board's Consumer Information Unit for assistance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Disabled Status

What is disabled status?

Disabled status is when a physician has demonstrated to the Board the inability to practice medicine due to a disability and has requested a waiver of the renewal fee. A physician on disabled status cannot practice medicine in the State of California.

Is there a fee to go on disabled status?

If you are renewing your medical license at the same time as you apply for disabled status, you must submit the $25.00 mandatory fee for the Physician Loan Repayment Program with the "Disabled Physician Application for Exemption from Payment of Renewal Fee."

If the license is current, no fee is required.

What if my license is delinquent?

If the medical license is delinquent, a payment of all accrued renewal fees, delinquent fee, the $25.00 mandatory fee, and the penalty fee must be submitted with the "Disabled Physician Application for Exemption from Payment of Renewal Fee."

Please contact the Board at (800) 633-2322 or (916) 263-2382 for information on fees due.

How do I apply for disabled status?

A "Disabled Physician Application for Exemption from Payment of Renewal Fee" must be completed and mailed to the Board.

The application must be completed by you and your attending physician.

Do I still need to complete my continuing medical education (CME) credits while on disabled status?

Yes, the holder of a medical license in disabled status must comply with the continuing medical education (CME) requirements, unless the holder has also applied for and has been granted a CME waiver.

Can a physician on disabled status still write prescriptions?

No, a physician on disabled status cannot write prescriptions. While the physician is on disabled status, the physician cannot engage in the practice of medicine.

Can a physician on disabled status work as a volunteer?

No a physician on disabled status cannot volunteer in regards to the practice of medicine.

How does a physician come out of disabled status?

The licensee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Board under penalty and perjury that the licensee's disability either no longer exists or does not affect their ability to practice medicine safely, or agrees to limit their practice in the manner prescribed by the attending physician.

The licensee must submit the, Application to Restore License to Full Active Status from Inactive, Disabled or Fee Exempt Status or From Disabled Status to Active Status with Limitations on Practice." A portion of the application must be completed by the licensee's attending physician.

At the time of the application, the licensee must submit payment of the current (active license) renewal fee.