Not Renewing State License if not going to Practice there after Residency?

[artorious22]

Hi,
I'm asking for a friend. they have a license in Louisiana but plan on going to another state to practice afterwards (likely on West Coast). However, they have been renewing LA state license throughout residency for past couple of years. His concern is that if does not renew and just let it expire, it will likely interfere with getting licenses in another states as they do ask about that during licensing apps, correct? I'd say its better to just let it expire and not was the extra $$$ especially since he has no interest in working/living in LA.

Thanks

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[colbgw02]

Just call the state board and tell them to put the license in an inactive status. That's what I did when I realized I wouldn't be working in Louisiana.

 

[AMEHigh]

Why would that interfere with getting a license in another state? One isn’t expected to keep renewing licenses in all states that one previously worked. I already applied for and received my license for my new state and there’s no way I’m planning to apply for a license in my current state as well. I’ve never heard of anyone doing that.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Hi,
I'm asking for a friend. they have a license in Louisiana but plan on going to another state to practice afterwards (likely on West Coast). However, they have been renewing LA state license throughout residency for past couple of years. His concern is that if does not renew and just let it expire, it will likely interfere with getting licenses in another states as they do ask about that during licensing apps, correct? I'd say its better to just let it expire and not was the extra $$$ especially since he has no interest in working/living in LA.

Thanks

Well, yes they'll ask if you have other state licenses but they don't care less the license was suspended or revoked. Either renew, put it on inactive status or let it expire; its really not a big deal to state licensing boards.

 

[gutonc]

Hi,
I'm asking for a friend. they have a license in Louisiana but plan on going to another state to practice afterwards (likely on West Coast). However, they have been renewing LA state license throughout residency for past couple of years. His concern is that if does not renew and just let it expire, it will likely interfere with getting licenses in another states as they do ask about that during licensing apps, correct? I'd say its better to just let it expire and not was the extra $$$ especially since he has no interest in working/living in LA.

Thanks

Just to add additional clarification, the question that licensing boards and credentials committees ask is if your license was terminated, revoked or surrendered. Nobody cares about expired (unless you continue to practice...that's a real problem).

 

[Raryn]

The only circumstance letting a license expire (or just cancelling) might hurt you is you later change your mind and move back to that same state. There's reportedly states where *reinstating* a license (as opposed to just getting a new one) is more convoluted of a process - more paperwork with regards to CME, more delays with processing - almost as if they wanted to punish you for not paying them all those years. It's not awful - just means if you ever return to Louisiana, budget an extra month or two to get your license (no idea if they're one of the states that stretchs out the process, but better to be safe than sorry).

 

[Apollyon]

Why would that interfere with getting a license in another state? One isn’t expected to keep renewing licenses in all states that one previously worked. I already applied for and received my license for my new state and there’s no way I’m planning to apply for a license in my current state as well. I’ve never heard of anyone doing that.

The "fallacy of anecdote" - "I've never seen that, so it doesn't exist". It is quite common to maintain more than one state/jurisdiction license. I keep my SC and HI licenses, along with my PA license. Why? It keeps my options open. Whether it is a crazed, vindictive patient going after you (not yet, for me), your hospital system closing down and going out of business (did happen for me), or anything else, if you lose your job, and only have that one state license, you are, somewhat, tied to the land.

 

[Mass Effect]

The "fallacy of anecdote" - "I've never seen that, so it doesn't exist". It is quite common to maintain more than one state/jurisdiction license. I keep my SC and HI licenses, along with my PA license. Why? It keeps my options open. Whether it is a crazed, vindictive patient going after you (not yet, for me), your hospital system closing down and going out of business (did happen for me), or anything else, if you lose your job, and only have that one state license, you are, somewhat, tied to the land.

Why can't you just re-apply for another state's license if you decide to move again? Also, the poster's question was why would it interfere with getting a license in another state, not whether you should or shouldn't keep the license. If someone applies for a medical license in Georgia, I can't imagine why the fact that they allowed their RI medical license to expire after residency would interfere with their ability to get the GA license. That's what the poster hadn't heard of (and neither have I), so we're asking, how would it interfere?

 

[Apollyon]

Why can't you just re-apply for another state's license if you decide to move again? Also, the poster's question was why would it interfere with getting a license in another state, not whether you should or shouldn't keep the license. If someone applies for a medical license in Georgia, I can't imagine why the fact that they allowed their RI medical license to expire after residency would interfere with their ability to get the GA license. That's what the poster hadn't heard of (and neither have I), so we're asking, how would it interfere?

I didn't say it would. The poster stated not renewing in each state. I just said that it is common. Reapplying is more time consuming, and that could be a problem. To each his own.

 

[Piebaldi]

Hi,
I'm asking for a friend. they have a license in Louisiana but plan on going to another state to practice afterwards (likely on West Coast). However, they have been renewing LA state license throughout residency for past couple of years. His concern is that if does not renew and just let it expire, it will likely interfere with getting licenses in another states as they do ask about that during licensing apps, correct? I'd say its better to just let it expire and not was the extra $$$ especially since he has no interest in working/living in LA.

Thanks

Put it in inactive status - some states like NY don't charge you for this, others like FL do. Don't let it just expire.

 

[RangerBob]

I let my out of state license (state 2) expire while in fellowship in state 3. When applying for a different state's (state 4) license, it made no difference that I let state 2 expire. I did have to list all my licenses (states 1 and 3 for internship/fellowship were training licenses, but my residency program in state 2 required a full license) on my application. State 4 is considered notorious for taking a long time to process medical license applications, but mine only took a couple months.

The only reason to renew licenses, and I thought about it, is if you think you might practice in that state again (either as locums or a permanent job). It's obviously less hassle to maintain a license and renew it than re-apply all over again. In the end, I figured I wasn't very likely to go back the state I had an unrestricted license in, so I just let it lapse.

I hadn't heard of putting a license in inactive status. That probably would've been the best way to go. I am guessing that solves the inconvenience of reapplying all over again as well as the renewal fees...

 

[Raryn]

I let my out of state license (state 2) expire while in fellowship in state 3. When applying for a different state's (state 4) license, it made no difference that I let state 2 expire. I did have to list all my licenses (states 1 and 3 for internship/fellowship were training licenses, but my residency program in state 2 required a full license) on my application. State 4 is considered notorious for taking a long time to process medical license applications, but mine only took a couple months.

The only reason to renew licenses, and I thought about it, is if you think you might practice in that state again (either as locums or a permanent job). It's obviously less hassle to maintain a license and renew it than re-apply all over again. In the end, I figured I wasn't very likely to go back the state I had an unrestricted license in, so I just let it lapse.

I hadn't heard of putting a license in inactive status. That probably would've been the best way to go. I am guessing that solves the inconvenience of reapplying all over again as well as the renewal fees...

How useful "inactive" status is depends on the state. Many - like California - still charge you the full amount for an inactive license and the only difference is that it exempts you from meeting CA-specific CME requirements while it's inactive. If you're trying to save the money, it's a fairly useless status.

(I did later find out CA has a "volunteer" status which is the opposite - you maintain CA CME but pay about 95% less to maintain the license, in exchange you just can't do paid work in the state - it's a great option)

 

[Piebaldi]

Why can't you just re-apply for another state's license if you decide to move again? Also, the poster's question was why would it interfere with getting a license in another state, not whether you should or shouldn't keep the license. If someone applies for a medical license in Georgia, I can't imagine why the fact that they allowed their RI medical license to expire after residency would interfere with their ability to get the GA license. That's what the poster hadn't heard of (and neither have I), so we're asking, how would it interfere?

It can get messy. You hve

I let my out of state license (state 2) expire while in fellowship in state 3. When applying for a different state's (state 4) license, it made no difference that I let state 2 expire. I did have to list all my licenses (states 1 and 3 for internship/fellowship were training licenses, but my residency program in state 2 required a full license) on my application. State 4 is considered notorious for taking a long time to process medical license applications, but mine only took a couple months.

The only reason to renew licenses, and I thought about it, is if you think you might practice in that state again (either as locums or a permanent job). It's obviously less hassle to maintain a license and renew it than re-apply all over again. In the end, I figured I wasn't very likely to go back the state I had an unrestricted license in, so I just let it lapse.

I hadn't heard of putting a license in inactive status. That probably would've been the best way to go. I am guessing that solves the inconvenience of reapplying all over again as well as the renewal fees...

Well the inactive status is convenient if you don't have to pay for it. I have a NY license but not planning on working there any time soon - but it was $$ to apply for so since it is free to put it in inactive status I figured why not? In FL it's several hundred bucks - so I will probably give up my FL license after fellowship since I don't think I will work there.

 

[AMEHigh]

The "fallacy of anecdote" - "I've never seen that, so it doesn't exist". It is quite common to maintain more than one state/jurisdiction license. I keep my SC and HI licenses, along with my PA license. Why? It keeps my options open. Whether it is a crazed, vindictive patient going after you (not yet, for me), your hospital system closing down and going out of business (did happen for me), or anything else, if you lose your job, and only have that one state license, you are, somewhat, tied to the land.

Sorry I should’ve clarified. I know people keep licenses for multiple states. I might do that at some point. I was replying to the fact that if you let a license expire it will interfere with getting a license in another state. You are correct that just because it’s my anecdote it could still be true, but I feel pretty confident in saying that the vast majority of the time if you let a license expire in 1 state it doesn’t ban you from getting a license in another state, which I think was the OPs question.

 

[Apollyon]

Sorry I should’ve clarified. I know people keep licenses for multiple states. I might do that at some point. I was replying to the fact that if you let a license expire it will interfere with getting a license in another state. You are correct that just because it’s my anecdote it could still be true, but I feel pretty confident in saying that the vast majority of the time if you let a license expire in 1 state it doesn’t ban you from getting a license in another state, which I think was the OPs question.

I concur. As stated above, just letting it expire is different from getting it pulled, or surrendering it.

 

[Piebaldi]

Sorry I should’ve clarified. I know people keep licenses for multiple states. I might do that at some point. I was replying to the fact that if you let a license expire it will interfere with getting a license in another state. You are correct that just because it’s my anecdote it could still be true, but I feel pretty confident in saying that the vast majority of the time if you let a license expire in 1 state it doesn’t ban you from getting a license in another state, which I think was the OPs question.

It does not ban you no, but sometimes there are explanations and what not that you have to give. The less explanations on these forms, even if benign - aka - "I am cheap and don't want to pay for a license I might not use frequently" the better!

 

[ScubaV]

I had a Florida license for fellowship and voluntarily gave it up. Spending a few hundred dollars every year for an inactive license plus scammy NICA fees was not worth the remote chance I ever work there. I think they required CME info even for an inactive license as well, so it would've cost time and money. No thanks.

 

[promethius]

How useful "inactive" status is depends on the state. Many - like California - still charge you the full amount for an inactive license and the only difference is that it exempts you from meeting CA-specific CME requirements while it's inactive. If you're trying to save the money, it's a fairly useless status.

(I did later find out CA has a "volunteer" status which is the opposite - you maintain CA CME but pay about 95% less to maintain the license, in exchange you just can't do paid work in the state - it's a great option)

That is a great idea about putting the California license in volunteer status if you do not plan to use it in the foreseeable future and do not want the license to expire. California is notorious for taking a long time--about 6 to 9 months--to approve a medical license. Is putting the California license in volunteer status something new? I do not recall hearing about this option until recently. Has anyone actually changed his/her California medical license from active to volunteer? The only concerns I would have about doing that are the potential hoops one may have to jump through to change it back from volunteer to active status and how long it would take to do so. Does anyone know what that process entails?

I had a Florida license for fellowship and voluntarily gave it up. Spending a few hundred dollars every year for an inactive license plus scammy NICA fees was not worth the remote chance I ever work there. I think they required CME info even for an inactive license as well, so it would've cost time and money. No thanks.

I think Florida also gives you the option to change your license from active to volunteer status to waive your renewal fee as well as any mandatory NICA fees, which together cost almost as much as that for renewing a California medical license. Anyone actually did that with Florida? I would also be curious to know if there are any potential hoops for changing it back from volunteer to active status and how long it would take to do so.

 

[Raryn]

That is a great idea about putting the California license in volunteer status if you do not plan to use it in the foreseeable future and do not want the license to expire. California is notorious for taking a long time--about 6 to 9 months--to approve a medical license. Is putting the California license in volunteer status something new? I do not recall hearing about this option until recently. Has anyone actually changed his/her California medical license from active to volunteer? The only concerns I would have about doing that are the potential hoops one may have to jump through to change it back from volunteer to active status and how long it would take to do so. Does anyone know what that process entails?

I've made my CA license volunteer but have not transitioned it back yet. I was told (by the board staff when I called in to confirm) that transitioning it back would be one single form, a check for the full fee, and possibly proof of your last couple years CME (which you should have anyway). Transitioning to volunteer took a couple weeks from submission of the document, so probably it would be similarly efficient going the other way.

I think Florida also gives you the option to change your license from active to volunteer status to waive your renewal fee as well as any mandatory NICA fees, which together cost almost as much as that for renewing a California medical license. Anyone actually did that with Florida? I would also be curious to know if there are any potential hoops for changing it back from volunteer to active status and how long it would take to do so.

Can't help with FL, sorry.