ARTICLE 4. Renewal of Licenses [2644. - 2649.]

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC 4.

in effect

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2644. Section 2644.

(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.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2645. Section 2645.

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.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2646. Section 2646.

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.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2647. Section 2647.

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).

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2648. Section 2648.

(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.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2648.3. Section 2648.3.

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.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2648.5. Section 2648.5.

(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.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2649. Section 2649.

(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.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026