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Research and Student Research Psychoanalysts

A Research Psychoanalyst is an individual who has graduated from an approved psychoanalytic institution and is registered with the Board. Research Psychoanalysts may engage in psychoanalysis as an adjunct to teaching, training, or research.

 Alert! —Currently, Registered Research Psychoanalysts and Student Research Psychoanalysts are unable to renew their registration online. Registrants must renew by mail.

Research/Student Research Psychoanalyst Registration Renewal

In California, registration as a Research Psychoanalyst and a Student Research Psychoanalyst must be renewed every two years. It is illegal to practice as a Research Psychoanalyst or as a Student Research Psychoanalyst with an expired registration. The registration expires at midnight on the expiration date.

When renewing by mail, the renewal must be on the Board's renewal form, and must include the current renewal fee. Please allow 4-8 weeks for processing. If a renewal notice is not received, the registration must still be renewed before the expiration date on the registration.

Student research psychoanalysts who are renewing their registration must present verification of their continuing student status from the registrar or similar official from the psychoanalytic institute they are attending.

Forms, information about current renewal fees, and requirements may be obtained by contacting:

Medical Board of California
2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1200
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 263-2382 or (800) 633-2322

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

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.

Potential License Denial or Suspension for Failure to Pay Taxes

The Medical Board of California is required to deny an application for licensure and to suspend the license/certificate/registration of any applicant or licensee who has outstanding tax obligations due to the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) or the State Board of Equalization (BOE) and appears on either the FTB or BOE's certified lists of top 500 tax delinquencies over $100,000. (AB 1424, Perea, Chapter 455, Statutes of 2011)

Once it has been determined that an applicant or a licensee is on a certified list, the applicant or licensee has 90 days from the issuance of a preliminary notice of suspension to either satisfy all outstanding tax obligations or enter into a payment installment program with the FTB or BOE. Any such person who fails to come into compliance will have their license denied or suspended until the Medical Board of California receives a release from the FTB or BOE. The form for requesting a release will be included with the preliminary notice of suspension.

The law prohibits the Medical Board of California from refunding any money paid for the issuance or renewal of a license where the license is denied or suspended as required by AB 1424.

The FTB and BOE are currently expanding the certified lists from 250 to 500, but you can check if you are currently on the FTB's certified list at: ftb.ca.gov or the BOE's certified list at: cdtfa.ca.gov. If you believe you are on either list in error, please call the FTB at (888) 426-8555 or the BOE at 916-445-5167.

Potential License Denial or Suspension for Failure to Pay Family Support

Family Code Section 17520 prohibits the issuance and renewal of a permanent professional license to individuals delinquent in their court-ordered child support payments and whose name appears on the Department of Child Support Service's "Absent Parent Master File" certified list. In place of the permanent license, a 150-day temporary license or registration may be issued.

The law also requires the Board to suspend the license or registration of a licensee or registrant who is not compliant with a child support order or judgment whose name appears on the Department of Child Support Service's (DCSS) "Absent Parent Master File" certified list.

Once it has been determined that an applicant, licensee, or registrant is non-compliant, the licensee is notified and has 150 days to meet their family support obligation or enter into a payment program with the local child support agency. Any person who fails to come into compliance will have their license denied or suspended until the Department of Consumer Affairs receives a release from one of the 58 DCSS County Child Support Agency Services.

Pursuant to Family Code Section 17520(e)(3)(D), the Medical Board of California is prohibited from refunding any money paid for the issuance or renewal of a license where the license is suspended.

For additional information, please contact the Department of Consumer Affair's Family Support Program at (916) 574-8018.

Failure to Renew:

Practicing as a Research Psychoanalyst or a Student Research Psychoanalyst without a valid registration may lead to disciplinary action against the registrant.

There is no grace period; if a registration has not been renewed within 30 days following the expiration date, the Licensing Program will notify the registrant by mail. The date a registration expires, the status is changed to "delinquent" if the renewal application and fees due are not received.

After a registration has been in "delinquent" status for five years, the registration is automatically canceled. A canceled registration may not be reactivated by simply paying delinquent fees. The Research Psychoanalyst and a Student Research Psychoanalyst must apply for a new registration and meet the current registration requirements.

Renewal Fees:

The renewal fee for Research Psychoanalyst and a Student Research Psychoanalyst is $75. The renewed registration is valid for two years.

 Research and Student Research Psychoanalyst Registration Renewal FAQ