Renewal Of Licenses - Physical Therapy - Business & Professions - CA

Section § 2644

If you have a professional license under this section in California, it expires at midnight on your birth month's last day every two years if you don't renew it. To renew, you must apply before it expires using a specific form, pay a fee, and show you've completed any required education. You also need to disclose any legal issues like misdemeanors when renewing your license.

(a) Every license issued under this chapter shall expire at 12 a.m. on the last day of the birth month of the licensee during the second year of a two-year term, if not renewed.

(b) To renew an unexpired license, the licensee shall, on or before the date on which it would otherwise expire, apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the board, pay the prescribed renewal fee, and submit proof of the completion of continuing competency required by the board pursuant to Section 2649. The licensee shall disclose on his or her license renewal application any misdemeanor or other criminal offense for which he or she has been found guilty or to which he or she has pleaded guilty or no contest.

license expiration renewal form renewal fee

Section § 2645

This law requires that at least 60 days before a license expires, the licensing board must send a reminder to the license holder. This reminder will be sent to the address the license holder previously provided and will include the renewal fee amount and due date. The notice will also state that the license will expire if the fee is not paid by the due date.

At least 60 days before the expiration of any license, the board shall mail to each licensee under this chapter, at the latest address furnished by the licensee to the board, a notice stating the amount of the renewal fee and the date on which it is due, and that failure to pay it on or before the due date shall result in expiration of the license.

license renewal renewal fee expiration notice

Section § 2646

If your professional license expires, you can renew it anytime within five years by following the renewal process in Section 2644. The renewal becomes valid on the date you complete the application or pay any required fees, whichever happens last. Once renewed, the license is valid until the next expiration date mentioned in Section 2644. If you don't renew by that time, the license becomes invalid again.

A license that has expired may be renewed at any time within five years after its expiration by applying for renewal as set forth in Section 2644. Renewal under this section shall be effective on the date on which the renewal application is filed, on the date on which the renewal fee or accrued renewal fees are paid, or on the date on which the delinquency fee and penalty fee, if any, are paid, whichever last occurs. A renewed license shall continue in effect through the expiration date set forth in Section 2644 that next occurs after the effective date of the renewal, at which time it shall expire and become invalid if it is not so renewed.

license renewal expired license renewal application

Section § 2647

If you don't renew your professional license within five years after it expires, you can't renew it at all. You'll need to start from scratch and apply for a new license, following the necessary requirements.

A person who fails to renew his or her license within five years after its expiration may not renew it, and it shall not be reissued, reinstated, or restored thereafter. However, the person may apply for a new license if he or she satisfies the requirements set forth in Article 3 (commencing with Section 2635).

license renewal five-year expiration license reissue

Section § 2648

If you're a licensed professional serving full-time in the U.S. military or Public Health Service, you don't have to pay the renewal fee for your license. But, you can't practice physical therapy outside of your military work during this time. Once you're discharged, you have 60 days to pay any fees to avoid penalties. If your discharge is close to the end of the renewal period, you might skip the fee for that period. The time you're serving doesn't count towards the usual five-year renewal limit. Even though you're excused from fees, you still need to meet all other licensing requirements.

(a) A licensee is exempt from the payment of the renewal fee while engaged in full-time training or active service in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard, or in the United States Public Health Service.

(b) A person exempted from the payment of the renewal fee by this section shall not engage in any practice of, or assistance in the provision of, physical therapy not related to his or her military service and shall become liable for payment of the fee for the current renewal period upon his or her discharge from full-time active service and shall have a period of 60 days after becoming liable within which to pay the renewal fee before the delinquency fee is required. Any person who is discharged from active service within 60 days of the end of the renewal period is exempt from the payment of the renewal fee for that period.

(c) The time spent in full-time active service or training shall not be included in the computation of the five-year period for renewal and reinstatement of licensure provided in Section 2646.

(d) A person exempt from renewal fees under this section shall not be exempt from meeting the requirements of Section 2649.

renewal fee exemption full-time military service physical therapy practice

Section § 2648.3

If someone licensed to practice physical therapy in California can't work due to a disability, they can ask to skip paying the renewal fee. However, they can't practice until they pay the fee and prove the disability isn't an issue or agree to practice within certain limits set by a doctor. This waiver is temporary and can be ended any time by the board. Even with the fee waiver, they must still meet other specific requirements for their license.

A licensee who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the board that he or she is unable to practice, or assist in the provision of, physical therapy due to a disability may request a waiver of the license renewal fee. The granting of a waiver shall be at the discretion of the board and may be terminated at any time. Waivers shall be based on the inability of a licensee to practice, or assist in the provision of, physical therapy. A licensee whose renewal fee has been waived pursuant to this section shall not engage in the practice of, or assist in the provision of, physical therapy unless and until the licensee pays the current renewal fee and does either of the following:

(a) Establishes to the satisfaction of the board, on a form prescribed by the board and signed under penalty of perjury, that the licensee’s disability either no longer exists or does not affect his or her ability to practice, or assist in the provision of, physical therapy safely.

(b) Signs an agreement, on a form prescribed by the board and signed under penalty of perjury, to limit his or her practice of, or assistance in the provision of, physical therapy in the manner prescribed by his or her reviewing physician.

(c) A person exempt from renewal fees under this section shall not be exempt from meeting the requirements of Section 2649.

physical therapy license waiver of renewal fee disability waiver

Section § 2648.5

This law states that if you're a physical therapist in California and you're renewing your license solely to provide voluntary and unpaid services, you don't have to pay the renewal fee. However, even if you don't pay the fee, you still have to meet other specific requirements related to license renewal.

(a) The renewal fee shall be waived for licensees residing in California who certify to the board that license renewal is for the sole purpose of providing voluntary, unpaid physical therapy services.

(b) A person exempt from renewal fees under this section shall not be exempt from meeting the requirements of Section 2649.

physical therapist renewal fee waiver voluntary services

Section § 2649

This law requires physical therapists and physical therapist assistants renewing their licenses to provide proof of completing continuing education every two years, up to a maximum of 30 hours. The board sets the standards for what counts as continuing education and may establish different requirements for each profession, but they can't require a new degree or exam for renewal. They can, however, recognize such achievements as proof of competence. To ensure compliance, they conduct random audits. The costs of managing this process can be covered by fees from licenses and education providers, but these fees must only cover actual costs.

(a) A person renewing his or her license shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two years, he or she has completed the required number of continuing education hours established by regulation by the board, or such other proof of continuing competency as the board may establish by regulation. Required continuing education shall not exceed 30 hours every two years.

(b) The board shall adopt and administer regulations including, but not limited to, continuing education intended to ensure the continuing competency of persons licensed pursuant to this chapter. The board may establish different requirements for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. The board may not require the completion of an additional postsecondary degree or successful completion of an examination as a condition of renewal, but may recognize these as demonstrative of continuing competency. This program shall include provisions requiring random audits of licensees in order to ensure compliance.

(c) The administration of this section may be funded through professional license fees, continuing education provider fees, and recognized approval agency fees. The fees shall not exceed the amounts necessary to cover the actual costs of administering this section.

continuing education license renewal physical therapists