AB 967: Physicians and surgeons: licensure: expedite fee.

Existing law establishes the Department of Consumer Affairs under the direction of the Director of Consumer Affairs and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the administration of the various boards, including the Medical Board of California, under its jurisdiction that license and regulate various professions and vocations.

Existing law requires a board to expedite the licensure process for certain applicants, including an applicant who has a specified relationship with an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States, as prescribed, and holds a current license in another state, district, or territory of the United States in the profession or vocation for which the applicant seeks a license from the board.

Existing law establishes the Medical Board of California to enforce the licensing and regulatory provisions relating to physicians and surgeons. Existing law imposes various fees on applicants for licensure of physicians and surgeons, including an application and processing fee of $625 to be paid by an applicant for a certificate based on reciprocity, and an applicant for a certificate based upon written examination, as specified. Under existing law, all moneys paid to and received by the board are required to be paid into the State Treasury and credited to the Contingent Fund of the Medical Board of California. Existing law requires moneys in that fund to be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, as provided.

This bill would require the Medical Board of California to expedite the licensure process for an applicant who submits an application that is accompanied by by, among other things, payment of an expedite fee fixed by the board. The bill would require the board to fix the expedite fee board at an amount equal to the cost of expediting the licensure process, but not to exceed $250, as specified. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2030.