Medical Doctor Renewals 2009-2011 FAQ List

Only those medical doctors whose last names begin with the letters M through Z, and all podiatrists, A through Z, are required to renew for the years 2009 - 2011. 

For the biennial year 2009 - 2011, the Board of Medicine will not be mailing a paper renewal application to all the medical doctors and podiatrists who are renewing their licenses. 

Beginning May 14, 2009, licensees who meet specific criteria for online renewal may go to the Board's website and follow the online renewal directions. 

 

 

Q:  I would like to renew online this year.  What are the requirements?

A:  You must meet ALL of the following criteria: 

                        1.  currently hold an ACTIVE medical/podiatric license; 

                        2.  currently hold an INACTIVE medical/podiatric license and will renew in an INACTIVE status;

                        3.  have obtained the required continuing medical/podiatric education;

                        4.  answer “no” to all questions listed on page five (5) of the paper renewal application (click here for the list of questions); and 

                        5.  desire to pay via credit/debit card. 

THE ONLINE RENEWAL APPLICATION WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE UNTIL TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2009, AT 4:30 P.M., EDT.

 

 

Q:  What are my options to renew my license?

A:  You may register as   

Ø       ACTIVE;     

Ø       INACTIVE (you maintain registration with this office and must complete the required CME, but you may not practice until the Board converts the status of your license to active);      

Ø       or you may allow your license to EXPIRE, which requires no action by you. If your license remains expired for more than one year and you wish to return to WV to practice, you will, at that time, need to reapply for licensure as a new applicant, which requires completing an abbreviated reactivation application.

 

 

Q:  What are the CME requirements?

A:  50 hours of Category I acquired during the period 7/1/07 to 6/30/09, which must include two hours in end-of-life care, including pain management, if you have not had this CME since 2001. 

 

 

Q. Since the law regarding end-of-life care continuing education has been changed, do I still need to take this CME during the period July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2009?

A. Not if you have taken two (2) hours in end-of-life care, including pain management, since 2001.  Starting with the reporting period beginning July 1, 2005, the two (2) hour end-of-life continuing education requirement every two (2) years became a one (1) time only requirement.  Those renewing in 2006 and after will not need to show two (2) hours of the end-of-life care coursework during the previous two (2) year period.  “All licensees who have not completed the coursework requirement shall complete the coursework requirement prior to his or her first license renewal.”

 

  

Q:  I am in residency or fellowship. Do I still need CME?

A:  One full year of ACGME approved postgraduate training during the period 7/1/07 to 6/30/09 will satisfy the 50 hours of CME.  However, two hours of end-of-life care, including pain management, must also be completed.

 

 

Q:  What if I complete the renewal form on May 20, 2009, and my information changes?

A:  You are certifying on the renewal form that this information is accurate for the period 7/1/07 to 6/30/09.   Therefore, you must notify the Board in writing if any of the information changes.

 

 

Q:  What do you mean by the questions on page 3 regarding child support obligation?  I have children who live with me. Of course I support them, does that mean I need to answer "yes"?

A:  Please note the words "court ordered".

 

 

Q:  I already reported a malpractice case settlement or judgment that occurred in 1993. Do I have to report it every time I renew my license?

A:  No. The questions on page 5 refer to the last two-year period (July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2009). You do not need to report anything that happened prior to that period unless you have not previously reported the information. Additionally, you do not need to report cases that are pending. 

 

 

Q:  What if I forgot my West Virginia medical/podiatric license number and want to renew online?

A:  There are several options.  (A) You may go to the Board’s website at www.wvbom.wv.gov and search by your name to locate your number;  (B) You may obtain your license number from the paper renewal application form if one has been mailed to you;  (C) You may find your medical/podiatric license number on your wallet card.  PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE OFFICE FOR YOUR LICENSE NUMBER.

 

 

Q:  I had disciplinary action taken in another state during the period July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2009.  May I renew online?

A:  No.  If you answer “yes” to any of the questions listed on page five (5) of the paper application (click here for the list of questions), you MUST renew using the paper renewal application.

 

 

Q:  What if I try to renew online, but my credit/debit card is not accepted?

A:  IF YOUR CREDIT/DEBIT CARD IS NOT ACCEPTED, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE RENEWAL PROCESS ONLINE.  You may, however, try again with a different card by using the “BACK” button to get back to the credit card page and enter another credit/debit card number; otherwise, you must submit a paper renewal application, along with a check or money order, on or before June 30, 2009, at 4:30 p.m., in order that your license does not expire.

 

 

Q.  I tried to renew online and wasn’t able to do so because I had a “yes” answer to one of the questions on page five (5) of the renewal application.  What do I do now?

A:  Call the Board offices at 304.558.2921 x218 to obtain a paper application. 

 

 

Q:  What if I start my online renewal and get interrupted and am unable to finish the application at that time?  Do I need to start over?

A:  Yes, the online renewal application will not be saved.  You must begin the application again.

 

 

 Q:  Is the online renewal site secure?

A:  Yes, the site is secure.  The fees portion of the online renewal process is handled through the State Treasurer’s Office e-pay system, and your credit/debit card statement will reflect this.

 

 

Q:  Can I print a copy of the online renewal application after I have completed the form?

A:  You will have to print each screen as you go through the application process.

 

 

Q:  I don’t ever plan on practicing medicine in West Virginia again and would like to give up my West Virginia medical license.

A:  Simply let your license expire.  No action is necessary on your part.

 

 

Q:  What if my application is not received in your office or completed online by the deadline (June 30, 2009, at 4:30 p.m., EDT)?

A:  Pursuant to WV Law, your license will expire for failure to provide the certification of the successful completion of a minimum of 50 hours of CME in a timely manner.

 

 

Q:  May our group renew multiple physicians online all at the same time with one credit/debit card transaction?

A:  No.  DO NOT DELEGATE COMPLETION OF THE RENEWAL APPLICATION TO ANY OTHER PERSON.   The online renewal application must be completed by the licensee.  The certifications contained in the online renewal application are the same as a legal signature.     

 

 

Q:  What if my paper application is postmarked before July 1, 2009, but not received in your office prior to June 30, 2009, at 4:30 p.m.?

A:  The application clearly states that your application must be RECEIVED (not postmarked) before June 30, 2009, at 4:30 p.m. Therefore, any application received after the deadline will be returned to the physician, along with a reinstatement application, and the license will expire as of July 1, 2009.

 

 

Q:  I have mailed my renewal form to you or successfully completed the online renewal process. When may I expect to receive my new wallet card?

A:  Your new wallet card should be mailed to you within two (2) weeks of receipt of your renewal form in the Board office.

 

 

Q:  My malpractice carrier or hospital where I have privileges wants a copy of my new license now.  Will you fax it to me?

A:  No.  We will not fax copies of these cards to anyone.  It is important for you to keep your wallet card with you and to keep copies of it in a location where you can find them. We do not keep copies of the wallet cards that are mailed to you. To request a duplicate wallet card, the physician must submit a written request and a new card will be printed and mailed to the physician.

 

 

Q:  Will you fax a renewal application to me or may I download the renewal application off the web?

A:  No.  Call the Board offices at 304.558.2921 x218 to request that an application be mailed to you.

 

 

Q:  I renewed in the INACTIVE status and already paid $100, but decided before June 30, 2009, that I really need an ACTIVE license, which costs $300.  What can I do?

A.  Contact the Board offices at 304.558.2921 x220 for instructions.

 

 

Q:  What are the most common errors that may result in the return of my paper application? 

ü Please be sure to include at least one telephone number on page one.  Failure to provide at least one contact phone number will cause your paper application to be returned to you.

ü       If you change your PREFERRED MAILING ADDRESS, be sure also to make the appropriate change(s) to either your HOME ADDRESS or your MAIN WORK ADDRESS.  The Board cannot make assumptions as to which address is your preferred mailing address.

ü       Submission of multiple applications with one check for the total fee.  If one of the applications must be returned, this might delay the processing of the remainder of the applications, as the check cannot be posted until all applications are complete.

ü       Submission of the application without the appropriate renewal fee.

 

Come back again soon as this list will be updated frequently with new questions and answers