CA licensing after internship during gap year

[jejudo]

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I will be finishing my internship in CA this June but will be starting specialty residency in Virginia in 2016 (I applied during internship, hence the gap year). During my gap year, I do not plan on doing any clinical work--just travel and some light research. I will most likely want to come back to CA to practice after fellowship. Should I apply for a CA Medical License now or can I wait to apply during fellowship when I know that I will be returning to CA? My main concern is the gap year because I know that on the license application you have to account for every year and I'm not sure how a year-long pause would look. I presume this would not be an issue if I am just renewing my license. I also don't really want to pay the high cost of a CA license right now on my starving resident's salary. Thanks for any input in advance.

 

[gutonc]

While it's true that you'll have to account for a gap year, your license app won't be denied just because of something like that. Save yourself the money until you're sure you need it.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Also bear in mind that licenses are time limited; thus you will be paying a year early for a license you won't use and that will expire a year earlier. There is no reason I can see to apply for it now.