Physicians and Surgeons

The Medical Board of California's Licensing Program assists licensees and registrants in renewing and managing the status of their license or registration. You must renew your California Physician's and Surgeon's License every two years. Licenses expire at 11:59 p.m. on the expiration date, which is the last day of the month in which it was issued. There is no grace period. It is illegal to practice medicine with an expired license.

Renewal Notices

As a courtesy, the Board will notify you multiple times that your license will need to be renewed. The Board will send you an email notification to renew your license online 180 days prior to your expiration date.

If you have not renewed your license within 120 days, the Board will mail the paper Renewal Notice to your Address of Record (AOR). At this time, you may renew your license online by visiting BreEZe or by submitting your renewal notice and payment by mail.

Note: Please allow four to six weeks for processing if you are mailing in your renewal notice and payment to the Board.

Criminal Convictions

During the renewal process, you must disclose any disciplinary action or if you have been convicted of a crime since your last renewal period.

 Failure to Renew

If you have not renewed your license within 30 days following the expiration date, the Board will notify you by certified mail and your license status will be displayed as "Delinquent" on the Board's website.

In addition, you will be required to pay the penalty and delinquent fees, in addition to the standard renewal fee.

Note: You may choose to let your license expire if you no longer wish to practice medicine in California. If, at a later date, you choose to return to the practice of medicine and it has been more than five years since your license expired, you must apply for a new license and meet the current license requirements. Visit the Previously Licensed in California page for more information on reapplying for a Physician's and Surgeon's License.