The Medical Board of California will soon be sending notices to physicians who have outstanding tax obligations, warning that their medical licenses may be suspended if they do not pay their tax obligation or enter into a payment plan within 90 days.

A state law, passed in 2011, authorizes the medical board to deny an application for licensure and to suspend the license of any licensee who has outstanding tax obligations due to the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) or the State Board of Equalization (BOE) and appears on either the FTB or BOE's certified lists of top 500 tax delinquencies over $100,000.

Physicians who fail to either pay the taxes owed or enter into a payment installment plan with the relevant agencies will have their licenses denied or suspended until the Medical Board of California receives a release from the FTB or BOE. The form for requesting a release will be included with the preliminary notice of suspension.

Suspensions will be posted on the medical board's website and publicly distributed through its electronic notification system.

The law prohibits the Medical Board of California from refunding any money paid for the issuance or renewal of a license where the license is denied or suspended.

Names of those owing money to that state are published by the FTB and BOE on their websites. Physicians can check if they are currently on the FTB's or the BOE's lists. If you believe you are on either list in error, please call the FTB at (866) 418-3702 or the BOE at (916) 445-5167.

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