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West VirginiaHB 53252026 Regular SessionHouse

Creating an emeritus license status for retired physicians, podiatric physicians and physician assistants who meet eligibility criteria.

Sponsored By: Matthew Rohrbach (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§30-3-12A

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Free emeritus license for retired doctors

The law creates a free emeritus license for retired physicians, podiatric physicians, and physician assistants. You must have at least 10 years of West Virginia practice, be fully retired, not be under investigation, have no revocation, suspension, surrender, or probation anywhere, and have no active DEA registration. Normally you must hold a current West Virginia license, but until July 1, 2030, those whose West Virginia license expired before July 1, 2025 can also apply if they meet the other rules. Emeritus holders do not have to complete continuing education. The license is valid for life with no renewals unless you return to practice or the board revokes it.

Emeritus status gives no practice rights

An emeritus license is honorary and does not allow any clinical practice in West Virginia. You cannot use it to get a license or practice privileges in another state. You cannot convert it to an active license; to work again, you must apply to reactivate and meet all reactivation rules, including any continuing education. The board will set application, denial, revocation, and voluntary surrender rules, including denial or revocation for active practice, retiring to avoid a complaint, or earlier probation, suspension, revocation, or disciplinary surrender.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Matthew Rohrbach

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Joe Ellington

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 125 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/11/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 467)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 305)

Yes: 91 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter 261, Acts, Regular Session, 2026

    6/29/2026House

  2. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026

    3/30/2026House

  3. To Governor 3/25/26

    3/25/2026House

  4. To Governor 3/25/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  5. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  6. Approved by Governor 3/27/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  7. House received Senate message

    3/13/2026House

  8. On 3rd reading

    3/11/2026Senate

  9. Read 3rd time

    3/11/2026Senate

  10. Passed Senate (Roll No. 467)

    3/11/2026Senate

  11. Communicated to House

    3/11/2026Senate

  12. Completed legislative action

    3/11/2026Senate

  13. On 2nd reading

    3/10/2026Senate

  14. Read 2nd time

    3/10/2026Senate

  15. On 1st reading

    3/9/2026Senate

  16. Read 1st time

    3/9/2026Senate

  17. Introduced in Senate

    3/6/2026Senate

  18. Committee reference dispensed

    3/6/2026Senate

  19. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    3/4/2026House

  20. Read 3rd time

    3/4/2026House

  21. Passed House (Roll No. 305)

    3/4/2026House

  22. Communicated to Senate

    3/4/2026House

  23. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

    3/3/2026House

  24. Read 2nd time

    3/3/2026House

  25. Do pass

    3/2/2026House

Bill Text

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