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Physicians and Surgeons

A Physician or Surgeon (M.D.) is an individual issued a license allowing them to practice medicine. A physician may diagnose, prescribe, and administer treatment to individuals suffering from injury or disease.

Physician's and Surgeon's License Renewal

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 email notifications to renew your license online starting 180 days prior to your expiration date.

License Discipline and Criminal Convictions

During the renewal process, you must disclose whether any disciplinary action has been taken against your license and whether you have been convicted of a crime since your last renewal.

 Failure to Renew

If you have not renewed your license by the expiration date your license status will be displayed as "Delinquent" on the Board's website. If you fail to renew your license within 30 days following its expiration date, you will be required to pay the penalty and delinquency 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 in California 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.

 Attention

Potential license denial or suspension for failure to pay taxes and court-ordered child support payments. Visit the Licensing Overview page for detailed information.

Types of Renewals

 Current Status

"If you continue to practice medicine in California, you must renew your license every two years prior to the expiration date. You will be required to pay the renewal fee and comply with the Continuing Medical Education requirements (Business and Professions Code, section 2423)."

 Military Status

"If you engage in full-time training or active service in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or the United States Public Health Service, you may renew your license under Military status. Your renewal fee will be waived; however, you are required to pay the mandatory fees and comply with the Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirements (Business and Professions Code, section 2440)."

 Voluntary Service Status

"If you provide voluntary, unpaid services to the community, you may renew your license under Voluntary Service status (Business and Professions Code, section 2442). Your renewal fee will be waived; however, you are required to pay the mandatory fees and comply with the Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirements (Business and Professions Code, section 2440)."

 Disabled Status

"If you have a disability that prohibits you from safely practicing medicine, you may renew your license under a Disabled status (Business and Professions Code, section 2441). Your renewal fee will be waived; however, you are required to pay the mandatory fees and comply with the Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirements (Business and Professions Code, section 2440)."

 Retired Status

"If you are retired from the practice of medicine in California, you may renew your license under a Retired status (Business and Professions Code section 2439). Your renewal fee will be waived; however, you are required to pay the mandatory fees. You will not need to comply with the Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirements until your license is returned to active status."

 Inactive Status

"If you are not actively practicing medicine in the State of California, you may renew your license on an inactive status (Business and Professions Code, section 700). You will not need to comply with the Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirements until your license is returned to active status."