License Status Options

ACTIVE License Status

California law requires that to maintain an active license, each Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (including out-of-state DPMs) must pay the biennial renewal fee, comply with Continuing Competence and continuing medical education (CME) requirements.

INACTIVE License Status

A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine requesting inactive status need not comply with Continuing Competence/CME requirements. However, to restore an inactive license to active status, the doctor of podiatric medicine must complete the required Continuing Competence/CME for a single renewal period. Inactive and active licenses are renewed at the same time and the renewal fee is the same.

DELINQUENT and CANCELLED License Status

If a license is not renewed, it will become delinquent and is no longer valid.Under current law, a delinquent license will be cancelled if not renewed after 3 years of delinquency. A cancelled license may not be reinstated. The practitioner must reapply for a new license by meeting all current requirements including passage of the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners Part III examination and completion of 2 years approved residency.

MILITARY or Health Service License Status

A doctor of podiatric medicine may be exempt from paying the renewal fee if engaged in full-time active service in the medical departments of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or in the United States Public Health Service; or fulfilling a full-time period of training and active service under the Selective Service Act. Every doctor of podiatric medicine qualifying for this fee exemption may not engage in any private practice of podiatric medicine in California. An exemption request must be made in writing to the Board of Podiatric Medicine. Although a doctor of podiatric medicine under military status may be exempt from payment of the renewal fee, there is no exemption from the Continuing Competence/CME requirements.

RETIRED License Status

A doctor of podiatric medicine may be exempt from payment of the renewal fee and Continuing Competence/CME requirements if the licensee is fully retired from practice. The holder of a retired status license may not engage in the practice of podiatric medicine.

DISABLED License Status

A doctor of podiatric medicine may be exempt from payment of the renewal fee if he or she demonstrates to the board inability to practice medicine due to a disability. The exemption must be approved by the board, and a licensee with disabled status may not engage in the practice of podiatric medicine.

Revised 08/2007