Inactive License Renewals

If you are a license holder and not currently practicing, you may apply for and receive an inactive license. To obtain an inactive license, you must pay a lesser fee. While holding an inactive license, you are exempt from completing CE requirements. Licensees can select the inactive license option (box "B") on the renewal application.

The Board places no limit on the number of times that you can renew an inactive license

You cannot supervise MFT Interns or Associate Clinical Social Workers while on an inactive status.

Reactivating the License

To reactivate an inactive license, you must:

1. Submit a completed "Inactive to Active Status Change" application.
2. Pay the remaining half of the renewal fee for the current renewal cycle.
3. Include the inactive license certificate with the request to reactivate.
4. Complete 36 hours of acceptable continuing education, including any mandatory courses, within two years from the postmark date of the request to reactivate the license. Do not send proof of continuing education in with your request for reactivation.
   
   

CE Requirements Once Reactivated

The timing of license reactivation affects the number of continuing education units the licensee will need to complete for the next active license renewal after reactivation. In nearly all cases, the person reactivating his or her license will do so in the middle of the inactive renewal period. If at the time of reactivation the licensee has less than a year until the reactivated license expires, he or she must complete 18 continuing education units for the next active license renewal after reactivation. If at the time of reactivation the licensee has more than one year until the reactivated license expires, he or she must complete 36 continuing education units for the next active license renewal after reactivation.

Example A (Reactivating with more than one year until license expiration)

Karen has an inactive LMFT license with an August 31st, 2008 expiration date. She applies to reactivate her license on February 10th, 2007. She must have 36 hours of continuing education between February 11th, 2005 and February 10th, 2007 in order to qualify to reactivate her license.

Once reactivated, Karen needs 36 hours of continuing education in order to renew active prior to her active expiration date of August 31st, 2008 (the expiration date following her reactivation). Karen will need to complete her continuing education for this license renewal in the two years immediately preceding the expiration date (September 1st, 2006 - August 31st, 2008).

Example B (Reactivating with less than one year until license expiration)

Robert is an inactive LCSW with an expiration date of November 30th, 2007 on his license. He applies to reactivate his license on March 6th, 2007. He must have 36 hours of continuing education between March 7th, 2005 and March 6th, 2007 in order to qualify for reactivation.

Once reactivated, Robert needs 18 hours of continuing education in order to renew active prior to his active expiration date of November 30th, 2007 (the expiration date following his reactivation). Robert will need to complete his continuing education for this license renewal in the two years immediately preceding the expiration date (December 1st, 2005 – November 30th, 2007).

State Tax Obligation: EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2012

Pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 31(e), the State Board of Equalization and the Franchise Tax Board may share taxpayer information with a board. A licensee must pay his or her state tax obligation and his or her license may be suspended if the state tax obligation is not paid.