All professional licensees must regularly renew their license with the state board governing their profession. Generally, a license must be renewed every two years to avoid expiration. For example:

Licensed Practical Nurses

• License expires October 31 of all even-numbered years

Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Nurses

• License expires October 31 of all odd-numbered years

Physicians

• License expires October 31 of all odd-numbered years

Dentists and Dental Hygienists

• License expires March 1 of all even-numbered years

You should refer to your individual board’s website for specific renewal instructions and forms. If your license is active, you will be directed to renew your license online through “MyLicense,” an online license management tool. If your license has expired, you may be directed to submit a paper renewal. In either event, it is essential to take this opportunity to ensure your contact information on file with the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (“IPLA”) is up to date. Boards and investigating bodies contact licensees through the contact information on file with IPLA. You may not receive important information regarding your license or ability to practice if that information is incorrect.

The Renewal Process

• Calendar a reminder to renew your license.
• Pay the renewal fee.
  • The fee varies from profession to profession.
  • A late fee may also be required if you are renewing your license after the expiration date.
• Fill out all renewal information online through MyLicense or the paper renewal form.
  • Take this opportunity to update any personal information or contact information that has changed since the last renewal cycle.
• Answer a set of questions regarding your practice since the last renewal.
  • The questions vary depending on the profession. For example, the questions posed to Medical Doctors and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine are:
    1. Since you last renewed, has any health profession license, certificate, registration, or permit you hold or have held been disciplined or are formal charges pending in any state or U.S. territory?
    2. Since you last renewed, have you been denied a license, certificate, registration, or permit in any state or U.S. territory?
    3. Since you last renewed, and except for minor violations of traffic laws resulting in fines and arrests or convictions that have been expunged by a court, have you been arrested, entered into a diversion agreement, been convicted of, pled guilty to, or pled nolo contendere to any offense, misdemeanor, or felony in any state or U.S. territory?
    4. Since you last renewed, have you had a malpractice judgment against you or settled a malpractice action?
    5. Since you last renewed, have you been denied staff membership or privileges in any hospital or clinic or have staff membership or privileges been revoked, suspended, or subjected to any restriction, probation, or other types of discipline or limitations?
    6. Since you last renewed, have you been excluded from being a Medicare or Medicaid provider?
    7. Since you last renewed, have you surrendered your DEA registration at any time or had any limitations or discipline placed on your DEA registration?
  • The questions should all be answered honestly. Obtaining a license by fraudulently answering renewal questions will serve as the basis for an administrative complaint against the responding licensee and possible revocation of the license.
• If you believe the answer is “Yes” to any renewal question, contact counsel to help evaluate your answers. Your counsel can also help you prepare a detailed statement regarding your answers to be submitted with the renewal form.

Timing

• The board will attempt to schedule the Personal Appearance before the license expiration date. If the Personal Appearance hearing cannot be held before the expiration date, the license status should be updated to Valid Pending Review.

Process

• Personal Appearances may be held before the full board or a smaller group of board members.
• Personal Appearances are designed to be informal question and answer sessions between the board and the licensee.
• The Personal Appearance hearing provides board members an opportunity to question you about any “Yes” answers to renewal questions. It also provides you an opportunity to explain your answers and professional practice history.
• Following the Personal Appearance, the board will determine whether your license will be renewed and whether or not you will be referred to the Office of the Attorney General for further investigation.

Representation

• You may be represented by counsel at a Personal Appearance. Counsel may assist by providing an opening and closing statement, answering questions, and introducing supporting documentation. However, you may still be required to answer direct questions from the board.
• By working with counsel to control the narrative at a Personal Appearance, you can maximize the chance that your license is renewed “free and clear” and that no further investigation is requested.

Personal Appearances

If you answered yes to any renewal questions, or if you are renewing your license after the expiration date, you should expect to be called to a “Personal Appearance” hearing before your licensing board. At the Personal Appearance hearing, the board will ask questions regarding the renewal and allow you to explain why your license should be renewed.

It is imperative that all licensees evaluate the need for counsel during the renewal process, and especially after receiving notice of a Personal Appearance hearing. Counsel can help you answer any difficult questions and offer persuasive explanations where needed. This will allow you to focus on your profession, instead of worrying about your license renewal status and future ability to practice in Indiana.

© Riley Bennett Egloff LLP

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Posted on March, 18 2020