Business and Professions Code section 2988 refers to “Inactive” licenses while Business and Professions Code section 2988.5 refers to “Retired” licenses. Inactive licenses are for those who may want to practice in California at some point in the future. The inactive status requires you to renew active or inactive every two years. The retired status is for those psychologists that are done practicing psychology. Once you are retired, the Board will no longer send you renewal postcards or correspondence. The retired status has a three-year window for you to change your mind and reactivate as an active psychologist.

This status is non-renewable and requires a one-time payment of $75 to accompany an application through BreEZe or the Board's form.

Business and Professions Code section 2988.5(a) allows for a licensee who holds a current active or current inactive license that is not restricted by or subject to discipline by the Board and who has paid the required fee may apply for retired status.

No, retirement is its own license status. You must apply for retirement through BreEZe or the Board's form.

The Board cannot retire you on a specific date. It is recommended that you plan to submit your retirement application when you are ready to actually retire, prior to your license expiration.

The Board will not grant an application for a license to be placed in a retired status more than twice. A licensee who has been granted a license in retired status twice must apply for a new license in order to obtain a license in active status.

The fee for retired status is a one-time $75 fee.

Licensees who choose retired status may return to active status once, using the Board's form.

If a licensee is in retired status for over three years, the licensee shall comply with the requirements in Business and Professions Code 2988.5(d)(2).

The Legislature through Business and Professions Code section 2988.5, subdivision (b), prohibits a retired licensee from performing any activity where an active license is required. Even the title to be used is different: “retired psychologist” or “psychologist, retired”. Therefore, if the activity falls within this prohibition, it is not allowed. Activity that does not require a psychologist's license is not prohibited under the statute.

The Legislature through Business and Professions Code section 2988.5, subdivision (b), prohibits a retired licensee from performing any activity where an active license is required. Even the title to be used is different: “retired psychologist” or “psychologist, retired”. Therefore, if the activity falls within this prohibition, it is not allowed. Activity that does not require a psychologist's license is not prohibited under the statute.

The Legislature through Business and Professions Code section 2988.5, subdivision (b), prohibits a retired licensee from performing any activity where an active license is required. Even the title to be used is different: “retired psychologist” or “psychologist, retired”. Therefore, if the activity falls within this prohibition, it is not allowed. Activity that does not require a psychologist's license is not prohibited under the statute.

A social security number helps ensure the correct license is retired. As always, this information is kept confidential.