Renewal Fee Waiver for Active-Duty Personnel

DCA boards and bureaus must waive renewal requirements for members of the United States Armed Forces when they are called to active duty. Renewal requirements waived for United States Armed Forces members called to active duty include renewal fees, continuing education requirements, and any other requirements as determined by the program.

To qualify for a waiver, the licensee/registrant must:

• Possess a current and valid license when called to active duty; and
• Provide written documentation that substantiates the licensee’s/registrant’s call to active duty.

“Called to active duty” includes licensees in all branches of the United States Armed Forces who, on a temporary basis, travel to remote locations to engage in activity relating to a war, national emergency, or other military operation.

Renewal requirements are only waived for the period of time the licensee/registrant is serving in the temporary assignment at the remote location, and the licensee/registrant must notify his or her licensing board or bureau of receipt of a notice of discharge date within 60 days of receiving such a notice. (Business and Professions Code section 114.3)

All private practice is prohibited under the waiver. A licensee may not return to private practice until after they have complied with renewal requirements required by the program(s) under which they are licensed/registered. (Business and Professions Code section 114.3)

Any licensee or registrant who continues to practice the profession for which he or she is licensed or registered for, either part-time or full-time, must maintain an active license in good standing, even while serving in the military.¹

If you have questions or need further information please contact your Licensing Board or Bureau, or email us at military@dca.ca.gov. Please include the License Type, such as Registered Nurse, Security Guard, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Dental Assistant, etc. and your License Number (if applicable) to assist staff with your inquiry.

If you are inquiring on behalf of a relative, please include the relative’s License Type and License Number (if applicable). Please note that staff may only be able to release limited licensee information to a relative.

¹ Gin, Joanna, AB 1588 Concurrence in Senate Amendments, August 22, 2012, accessed January 24, 2018.
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billAnalysisClient.xhtml?bill_id=201120120AB1588