Mid-Atlantic Health Law TOPICS

With each passing year, many Maryland physicians are faced with a pressing question:
What happens to my license when I retire? 

If a physician is approaching retirement, there are three options to consider: Inactive Status, Emeritus Status, and Voluntary Non-renewal.  

Inactive Status 

One option for physicians retiring in Maryland is to change the status of their license to inactive. Inactive status is for licensees in good standing who do not plan to practice medicine in Maryland after the annual license renewal period deadline. Those seeking inactive status must complete a signed and notarized inactive status application, submit a fee of $218, and must renew their inactive status every two years. 
The main benefit of this status is that the physician will be exempt from continuing medical education requirements, however, a licensee with inactive status is no longer permitted to practice medicine, prescribe medication, or conduct peer reviews of physicians within Maryland.

Emeritus Status 

Emeritus status is another common option for retiring physicians but is subject to approval by the Maryland Board of Physicians. Emeritus status is for physicians who are in good standing and: (1) practiced medicine in Maryland for at least ten years; (2) have an active, unrestricted license to practice medicine in Maryland; (3) have never had their license suspended or revoked in any jurisdiction; and (4) are not under investigation by the Board.

The same exemptions from continuing medical education requirements and the same restrictions on the practice of medicine in Maryland for those with inactive status apply to those seeking emeritus status, but emeritus status physicians are also expressly prohibited from delegating medical acts within Maryland. 

This option has a less expensive processing fee of $120 and, upon approval, emeritus status is effective immediately and automatically valid for three renewal cycles. However, if emeritus status application is denied, the Board will not issue a refund and the physician may have to consider inactive status or voluntary non-renewal instead.

Voluntary Non-renewal 

Finally, a retiring physician has the option of simply choosing not to renew on his or her own accord.  

All three of these license statuses give retiring physicians the option of reinstatement, subject to additional state requirements and a reinstatement fee if the physician wishes to practice medicine in Maryland in the future.

Kennedy Hagens
410-576-4146 • khagens@gfrlaw.com