Renewal
Renewal of a Permanent Physician License
Permanent licenses are on a two-year renewal cycle; however, the first permanent license can be issued for a shorter period of time in order to get the license expiration date into the birth month and year cycle. A physician born in an even year will find that the permanent license expires on the first day of the physician's birth month in even years. Similarly, a physician born in an odd year will renew in an odd year.
License renewal is a physician's responsibility. As a courtesy, the board office sends a license renewal notice to each physician at least 60 days prior to license expiration, however the option to renew will not be available more than 60 days prior to your renewal date. The renewal notice is sent via email to the licensee's last known email address. Failure of the licensee to receive the notice does not relieve the licensee of responsibility for renewing that license prior to its expiration.
A license can be renewed online or by paper application. The renewal notice explains how to renew online or how to contact the office for a paper application. Online renewal is less expensive and the more expeditious method of renewal; the licensee knows immediately if the renewal has occurred. Online renewal requires credit card payment. The board strongly recommends using online renewal because the multiple steps involved in processing paper applications make the system more vulnerable to errors or delays. Applying by paper costs the physician $100 more than online renewal.
Renewal application requirements are as follows:
- Pay the renewal fee
- Submit the renewal application online or by paper prior to the license expiration date
- Attest to having sufficient numbers of Category 1 CME
- Attest to having had training for identifying and reporting child abuse or dependent adult abuse in the past five years, if applicable.
Renew your license online. You will be redirected to the Board's Online Services website.
Please note: the option to renew will not be available more than 60 days prior to your renewal date.
If a licensee fails to submit the renewal application and fee prior to the expiration date of the current license, the licensee shall be charged a penalty fee of $100 for each month the renewal is in arrears, up to two months, or $200. For example, if the license expires on January 1, a penalty of $100 will be charged for renewal in January and an additional $100 or a total of $200 shall be charged for renewal in February.
Failure of the licensee to renew a license within two months following its expiration date shall cause the license to become inactive and invalid. The license will go inactive on the 1st day of the third month following the expiration date. Example, if a licensee with a January 1 expiration date fails to renew, the license will go inactive on March 1. A licensee whose license is invalid is prohibited from practice until the license is reinstated.
A physician must contact the board office to request a paper renewal application. Click here to send an e-mail request. A paper renewal application is individualized and not available on this website.
Renewal of a Permanent Physician License for Active Duty Military Physicians
A physician who was on active duty in the U.S. armed forces, reserves or national guard during their renewal period is not required to pay the renewal fee. “Active duty” means full-time training or active service in the U.S. armed forces, reserves or national guard. A military physician who fails to renew before the expiration of the license will be charged a penalty fee of $100/month.
Renewal of a Special Physician License
A special physician license for faculty at the University of Iowa expires 12 months after the license was issued. License renewal is a physician's responsibility. As a courtesy, the board office sends a license renewal notice to each physician holding a special license at least 70 days prior to license expiration. The renewal notice is sent via regular mail to the licensee's last known address. Failure of the licensee to receive the notice does not relieve the licensee of responsibility for renewing that license prior to its expiration.
Renewal of a Temporary Physician License
A temporary license may be renewed within 12 months of being issued. License renewal is a physician's responsibility and the board does not notify a physician whose temporary license is about to expire.
An application form is not required to seek renewal of a temporary license. To apply for renewal of a temporary license, the licensee shall submit the following to the board office:
- A request for renewal from the licensee
- The renewal fee
- Written justification for the renewal from the organization or individual seeking the applicant.
Extension of a Resident Physician License
A resident physician is responsible for applying for an extension if the licensee wishes to complete the resident training program and the licensee has not been granted permanent physician licensure, and the licensee will not complete the program within 30 days of the expiration date of the resident license. The following materials are needed to apply for an extension. These items are due in the board office prior to the expiration of the license.
- Apply for your extension and pay your fees online.
- The director of the resident training program must complete and submit the Program Director Form which indicates the new expected date of completion of the program and the individual's progress in the program and whether any warnings have been issued, investigations conducted, or disciplinary actions taken, whether by voluntary agreement or formal action. Please print the Program Director form, fill it out and return it to us.
No documentation of continuing medical education or training for identifying and reporting abuse is required since a resident is in training.
Failure of the licensee to extend a license within one month following the expiration date will cause the license to become inactive and invalid. For example, a license that expires on June 26 becomes inactive and invalid on July 26. A licensee whose license is inactive is prohibited from practice until the license is extended or replaced by a permanent physician or new resident physician license.
Fees
Refer to the Physician Licensure Fees page for cost to renew your license.