New Retired Active Physician’s License Aims to Aid Those Without Healthcare

New Retired Active Physician’s License Aims to Aid Those Without Healthcare
New state license allows retired physicians a cost-effective alternative to help those in need abroad and at home.


Washington doctors may pursue an active retired physicians license with updated education and cost requirements, under a proposed law that now awaits the governor's signature.

Legislation modifying the continuing education requirements for physicians holding a retired active license passed unanimously through the Senate on Apr. 8, 2009. Statewide meetings regarding the stipulations of bill 1899 will begin June 1.

Washington State Representative Judy Warnick was the primary sponsor of the bill.

"This bill started out trying to simply reduce credit hours required for doctors," Warnick said, “but it has evolved into an open discussion about how we can effectively and safely encourage retired doctors to volunteer their time.”

This bill is planned increase medical access by encouraging retired doctors to volunteer both abroad and in their communities. Original safety concerns with 1899 were focused on removing too many of the current requirements in order to encourage more doctors. Amendments to the original bill have been made to maintain safety standards.

According to the fiscal note, “A physician who resides in this state that is obtaining or renewing a retired active license will be exempt from licensing fees.” Without these fees for 2010, the estimated expenditures of the state total at $23,000.

“House bill 1899 would allow retired physicians to volunteer without paying excessive fees for increased training and certification,” according to an official statement released by Warnick.

Boy Scouts of America camps and Doctors Without Borders are examples of ways retired physicians can volunteer their services with this license. In order to provide healthcare as a physician for Doctors Without Borders, a doctor must be recognized as a physician in their own country. The previous requirements of a retired active license prohibited some doctors from practicing. Bill 1899 has already lowered costs for retired doctors and further stipulations will be discussed in upcoming public hearings.

“The goal is to encourage doctors who have served their communities to continue to do so after they have retired,” Warnick said. “We are constantly hearing about how citizens have limited access to good medical care. I'm glad to see retired physician’s skills will not go to waste.”

Oregon state law previously allowed Washington residents to obtain their retired active physicians license. Many doctors from neighboring states have been trying to get the Oregon license in order to practice but due to high volume, Oregon plans to create a residency requirement on their retired active license.

"This bill started out trying to simply reduce credit hours required for doctors," Warnick said, “but it has evolved into an open discussion about how we can effectively and safely encourage retired doctors to volunteer their time.”

The bill updated the continuing education requirements of physicians holding a retired active license to 50 credits per year and costs $160 annually, according to the Senate Bill Report. Voluntary, retired physicians are protected under the Good Samaritan law and therefore exempt from insurance costs. The Good Samaritan law protects not-for-profit citizens from lawsuit when help those in need, free of cost.

“With all the people who can’t afford healthcare, and the population of doctors comparatively decreasing,” Matthew Carmody, a Washington State University pre-med student said, “we can use all the help we can get.”

Nuhad Kadlec, a physician, volunteer and a teacher at the University of Washington had not heard about the recent bill and doesn’t intend on pursuing Washington’s retired active physician’s license. With a limited license, “you’ll be limited in the types of things that you’ll be able to do,” Kadlec said.

Statewide open hearings will discuss in detail the specifications of the new education requirements as well as the limitations of the retired license. There are many classes offered that complete the basic requirements of the license, however, no stipulations regulate the type of classes a doctor must attend for their specific profession. Requirements of relevancy to a physician’s area of practice are expected to be determined in upcoming hearings.

Other questions likely to arise in the hearings are whether or not retired physicians will be required to be associated with a local clinic and if there will be specific required types of classes.

Hearings will take place all over the state of Washington, locations to be determined based on population and interest. These meetings are the main opportunity for residents and doctors to voice their opinion regarding any questions concerning the bill’s final requirements.

Alexandra Matt, a junior pre-med student and aspiring surgeon, said she is optimistic about the bill. “My whole reason for going into medicine is to help people,” Matt said. “I would want to help people even if I couldn’t cut.”