Medical License Renewal in California — 2026 Complete Guide

1 Step-by-Step: Renewing Your California Medical License

Follow these steps to renew your medical license with the Medical Board of California:

1. Complete 50 hours of approved CME through ACCME-accredited providers
2. Ensure completion of one-time pain management/end-of-life care course (12 hours)
3. Log into the BreEZe online portal to begin your renewal application
4. Verify CME credits are reported in ACCME PARS system
5. Pay the $1,206 biennial renewal fee and submit your application

2 California CME Requirements

50 hours of approved CME per biennial renewal cycle. Must include a one-time course in pain management and treatment of terminally ill patients (12 CME hours). CME verified through ACCME's PARS system.

Tracking your CME across multiple states is one of the most time-consuming parts of credential management. CredentialDOMD automatically monitors your CME progress and alerts you when you're falling behind, so you never miss a requirement.

3 Common Pitfalls to Avoid

These are the mistakes California physicians most commonly make during renewal:

• California has one of the highest renewal fees in the nation at $1,206 biennially
• The one-time pain management/terminally ill course (12 hours) catches first-time renewers off guard
• Renewals after June 30, 2025 must be submitted online through BreEZe -- paper applications no longer accepted
• CME must be verified through ACCME PARS, so ensure your providers report to that system

4 Frequently Asked Questions