(a) A person whose license or approval has been revoked or suspended, or who has been placed on probation, may petition the board for reinstatement or modification of penalty, including modification or termination of probation, after a period of not less than the following minimum periods has elapsed from the effective date of the decision ordering that disciplinary action:
(1) At least three years for reinstatement of a license or approval revoked for unprofessional conduct, except that the board may, for good cause shown, specify in a revocation order that a petition for reinstatement may be filed after two years.
(2) At least two years for early termination of probation of three years or more.
(3) At least one year for modification of a condition, or reinstatement of a license or approval revoked for mental or physical illness, or termination of probation of less than three years.
(b) The petition shall state any facts as may be required by the board. The petition shall be accompanied by at least two verified recommendations from physicians licensed either by the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Medical Board who have personal knowledge of the activities of the petitioner since the disciplinary penalty was imposed.
(c) The petition may be heard by the board. The board may assign the petition to an administrative law judge designated in Section 11371 of the Government Code. After a hearing on the petition, the administrative law judge shall provide a proposed decision to the board that shall be acted upon in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
(d) The board or the administrative law judge hearing the petition, may consider all activities of the petitioner since the disciplinary action was taken, the offense for which the petitioner was disciplined, the petitioner’s activities during the time the license was in good standing, and the petitioner’s rehabilitative efforts, general reputation for truth, and professional ability. The hearing may be continued, as the board or administrative law judge finds necessary.
(e) The board or administrative law judge, when hearing a petition for reinstating a license or approval or modifying a penalty, may recommend the imposition of any terms and conditions deemed necessary.
(f) No petition shall be considered while the petitioner is under sentence for any criminal offense, including any period during which the petitioner is on court-imposed probation or parole. No petition shall be considered while there is an accusation or petition to revoke probation pending against the person. The board may deny, without a hearing or argument, any petition filed pursuant to this section within a period of two years from the effective date of the prior decision following a hearing under this section.
(g) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to alter Sections 822 and 823.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 649, Sec. 42. (SB 806) Effective January 1, 2022.)