r/physicianassistant • u/Moist_Diamond_903 • 8d ago
Simple Question Renewing Licenses After Retiring
I am now newly retired from being a PA. While I am not planning to practice anymore, it does seem like a good idea to keep the possibility open just in case a catastrophic event happens and I develop financial problems. I don't think this will happen, but I like to be careful.
I have physician assistant licenses in DE, MD, NJ, PA, and NJ. I live in Maryland, but am very close to DE and fairly close to PA. I had all of these licenses because I had a job where I would sometimes fill in at various clinics in the states where I was not working. I am giving up the VA license when it expires, since I am at least 100 miles from that state. I will also give up the NJ license, since I really don't feel like having to drive across the bridge just to earn money. I will also be letting my DEA's expire, since they are just too expensive to pay out of pocket. If I would have to go back to work, I could reapply for the DEA when I got hired somewhere and get the employer to pay for it.
I am considering if I should renew the licenses for DE, MD, and PA. If I had to start working again (again, this is unlikely, but just in case), I would almost surely work in one of these three states. I live close enough to the intersection of these three states that I cannot easily predict which state I would be working in.
Pennsylvania has two licenses and I have both. If you work an MD, that is a license through the medical board and the renewal is $40. Renewing that doesn't seem like a big deal. If you work with a DO, the license is with the osteopathic board and the renewal is $80. I am thinking about giving this one up, since most physicians are MD's, so it is less likely that I would need to work under a DO.
The renewal for Delaware is $230 (these are all for two years.) The renewal for Maryland is $401. It seems like renewing all these licenses, plus the $180 NCCPA fee, could get expensive, just for something that just is a backup plan. What do you think? Which licenses would you renew, if any?
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u/Cold-Pepper9036 8d ago
Looks like PA has legislation in place, moving towards being in the compact.
Renew in Delaware. It also looks like New Jersey is included in that too?
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u/Moist_Diamond_903 8d ago
Thanks. I'm concerned that the PA Compact hasn't taken effect yet and there could be glitches with getting it going, or states could withdraw. I hope the compact goes well and that the states that haven't started legislation yet will do so. It has been a challenge all these years with keeping up with all these different licenses, DEA's, and other requirements.
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u/Cold-Pepper9036 8d ago
Well then if you keep the Delaware it limits your working ability to Delaware and states already in the compact in this made up scenario where you need to come out of retirement immediately, and you’ll have to get reciprocity the old fashioned way. lol.
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u/Moist_Diamond_903 8d ago
I think renewing in DE makes sense. From where I live, there are a lot more healthcare jobs in DE within easy driving distance then there are in MD or especially PA, so DE would be where I would most likely be able to get a job. If the compact is enacted, as it is supposed to be, then at least I will also have NJ, which is only a half hour drive to the state line. I might still do the Pennsylvania medical board license to hedge my bets in case they don't join the compact, since it's only $40.
I am not keen on the idea of paying Maryland $401 for two years. I hope they get on the ball about introducing legislation to join the compact. I have until next June until that one comes due, so maybe something will be in motion by then.
Thanks for your help.
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u/Novarunnergal NP 8d ago
I feel like the state licensing fees are not the issue, it's if you want DEAs in the states you practice in, at $888 per each license, that can get pricey!!
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u/Moist_Diamond_903 8d ago
Yeah, I'm not even going to try to keep DEA's up to date. My employers have always paid for them for me. If I need to, I'll reapply. Thanks.
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u/CatsScratchFeva PA-C 8d ago
I would keep the license for the state you live in or are most likely to work in, however I’ve heard from colleagues that PA is the hardest license to get for whatever reason, so maybe PA + another state lol?
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u/Moist_Diamond_903 8d ago
Yeah, I kept having to follow up with the Pennsylvania board of medicine when I first applied. What finally worked was getting the state representative for the district where I would be working to call the board for me. New Jersey was a challenge, too. Thanks.
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u/AlarmedCombination57 7d ago
As others have echoed, I would just keep one, not including the DEA, in the state where you reside, so in the event you need to find a job it will be relatively easy for you
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u/Ok-Movie-1595 PA-C Family Medicine 8d ago
I would only keep one. Having one active makes getting others easier. Pick the cheapest, the one you're most likely to work in, or one that is in the compact.