Military Personnel and Military Spouses/Domestic Partners
Licensees
- Waiver of Active Duty Military License Renewal Requirements
The RCB waives renewal requirements for military personnel when they are called to active duty. Renewal requirements waived for military personnel called to active duty include renewal fees, continuing education requirements, and any other requirements as determined by the RCB.
To qualify for a waiver, the licensee must:
- Possess a current and valid license when called to active duty; and
- Provide written documentation that substantiates the licensee’s call to active duty (e.g. military orders).
"Called to active duty" includes licensees in all branches of the military who, on a temporary basis, travel to remote locations to engage in activity relating to a war, national emergency, or other military operation.
Licensees have the option of requesting a “Military Active Renewal Waiver” or a “Military Inactive Renewal Waiver.” If granted the “Military Active Renewal Waiver,” the licensee may not engage in the practice of respiratory care outside of the military. If granted the “Military Inactive Renewal Waiver,” the licensee may not engage in the practice of respiratory therapy in any setting.
Renewal requirements are only waived for the period of time the licensee is serving in the temporary assignment at the remote location, and the licensee must notify the RCB of receipt of a notice of discharge date within 60 days of receiving such a notice.
Pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 114.3, all private practice is prohibited under the waiver. A licensee may not return to private practice until after they have complied with renewal requirements required by the RCB.
To apply for the fee waiver, licensees must complete either the “Military Active Renewal Waiver” or “Military Inactive Renewal Waiver” transaction through BreEZe Online Services. For help with this transaction, please review the following guides:
- Step by Step Military Active Renewal Waiver Guide
- Step by Step Military Inactive Renewal Waiver Guide
If you have questions or need further information, please contact the RCB toll free at (866) 375-0386 or by email at rcbinfo@dca.ca.gov.
Applicants
- Professional License Portability and State Registration for Servicemembers and their Spouses
The federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) authorizes service members or their spouses who currently hold a valid license in good standing in another state, district, or territory to practice in California within the same profession or vocation, if they relocate to California because of military orders. For individuals who desire to practice in California under the terms of the SCRA, please visit: https://www.dca.ca.gov/military/federal.shtml.
- Expedited Application Process - Military Personnel
The RCB expedites the licensure process for an applicant that is currently serving as an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States or has served and was honorably discharged.
For an applicant's license to be expedited, the applicant must:
- Supply evidence that they are an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States or were an active duty member and was honorably discharged.
Please note, pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 115.4, this does not mean a license must be issued, but simply requires the process to be accelerated.
If you have questions or need further information, please contact the RCB toll free at (866) 375-0386 or by email at rcbinfo@dca.ca.gov.
- Expedited Application Process - Military Spouses/Domestic Partners
The RCB expedites the licensure process for spouses and domestic partners of those on active duty in the Armed Forces.
For spouses and domestic partners applications, the applicant must:
- Supply evidence that they are married to, or in a domestic partnership or other legal union with, an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is assigned to a duty station in California under official orders, and;
- Hold a current RCP license in another state, district or territory of the United States.
Please note, pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 115.5, this does not mean a license must be issued, but simply requires the process to be accelerated for spouses and domestic partners of active duty military personnel.
If you have questions or need further information, please contact the RCB toll free at (866) 375-0386 or by email at rcbinfo@dca.ca.gov.
- Expedited Licensure Application Processing for Service Members Enrolled in Skillbridge
Beginning July 1, 2024, boards and bureaus under the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) must expedite licensure application processing for service members currently enrolled in the U.S. Department of Defense SkillBridge Program.
Service members seeking licensure in California who qualify must provide documentation of enrollment, such as an official letter from the commanding officer. Failure to provide proper documentation could result in application processing delays. Applicants must still meet all board or bureau licensing requirements. If you have questions or need further information, please contact the RCB at (916) 999-2190 or by email at rcbinfo@dca.ca.gov.
For more information on licensing resources available to service members, visit: www.dca.ca.gov/military.
- Waiver of Education Requirements for Military Experience and Training
Pursuant to California Code of Regulations section 1399.330(3), the RCB may waive the education requirements if an applicant for licensure has:
- Completed a minimum of a one-year respiratory care approved program and;
- Has practiced care while serving in the U.S. military for a minimum of two years, full-time, within the four years immediately preceding filing of an application for licensure and;
- The military verifies the applicant is in “good standing” as it pertains to his or her past or current employment.
An applicant must provide sufficient documentary evidence to establish to the satisfaction of the RCB, that the applicant meets each requirement.
If you have questions or need further information, please contact the RCB toll free at (866) 375-0386 or by email at rcbinfo@dca.ca.gov.
