West Virginia board may issue honorific licenses to retired clinicians

The board may issue an emeritus license without a fee. This applies to physicians, podiatric physicians, and physician assistants licensed by the board. Applicants must hold a current, valid board license, apply on the board's form, and be fully retired from clinical practice in West Virginia. They must have practiced in West Virginia for at least 10 years, not be under a professional conduct investigation, and meet the law's discipline and federal drug registration requirements. The law took effect June 9, 2026.

The board may issue a no-fee emeritus license to certain providers whose licenses expired. This applies to providers whose licenses expired before July 1, 2025. Applicants must meet all other emeritus license criteria. The board may issue these licenses until July 1, 2030.

An emeritus license lasts for life without renewal, but the board may revoke it. These terms apply to holders of an emeritus license. Holders do not need continuing education to keep the emeritus license. The license does not authorize practice in West Virginia and cannot be used to obtain a license or practice privileges in another state or through a licensing compact. Holders who return to clinical practice must apply to reactivate their license and meet all reactivation requirements. The license ends if the holder returns to active clinical practice or the board revokes it.

The board must adopt rules for applications, denials, revocations, and voluntary surrender. These rules govern emeritus licenses for the covered providers. Rules require legislative approval and must include grounds for denying or revoking a license, including evidence of active clinical practice or retirement while a complaint or investigation was pending or being avoided.