If a license has expired but is within five years, which statement is true about reinstatement?

• A. Reinstatement requires only payment of late fees.
• B. Reinstatement requires payment of the current registration fee, missed renewal fees, late fee, submission of board-approved form, and proof of CME.
• C. Reinstatement is always automatic after paying a fine.
• D. Reinstatement is not allowed under any circumstances.

Answer: (B)

When a license has expired but the lapse is within five years, reinstatement typically requires completing several concurrent steps to bring the license back to active status. The best answer reflects the full set of requirements: paying the current registration fee, paying any missed renewal fees, paying the late fee, submitting the board-approved reinstatement form, and providing proof of continuing medical education (CME). Each piece matters: paying the current fees and missed renewals brings the license up to date financially, the late fee fulfills the penalty for the lapse, the board-approved form formalizes the reinstatement request, and CME demonstrates ongoing competency.

This is why the other options don’t fit. Merely paying late fees doesn’t address the missed renewals or CME, so the license wouldn’t be fully reinstated. Reinstatement is not automatic after paying a fine; it requires completing all the specified steps. And within five years there is a reinstatement pathway, so saying reinstatement isn’t allowed under any circumstances isn’t correct.