Can California intern license be renewed ?

[msameera]

I got my CA intern pharmacist license in late 2007 but due to family commitments have not been able to start my internship. And now when I am ready, there are no positions available due to the bad economy.

I recently got to know from a friend that they do NOT allow foreign FPGEE graduates to renew their internship licenses in CA. Seems too draconian a rule for me. At this point, even if I start working tomorrow, it is highly unlikely I would finish the required hours of internship by the time my license expires.

Can someone let me know what my options are ?

If not renewal, should I re-apply or are my chances for completign my internship in CA ruined forever ?

Nowhere on the Pharmacy board website for California do I see any restriction on internship licenses not being renewed ? Where has this so called rule emanated from ?

[olivia83]

hi msameera,
where in california are you right now? i would suggest calling their office or writing to the board of pharmacy that you would want your license to be extended and tell them the reason why you havent completed the internship. good luck

[iamallen0620]

I am also concerning about the two years limits for the intern license. Can I hold on my application for the intern license until I find the internship position?

[Chexter]

Hi Msameera,

Please let me know if you were able to work it out. Co-incidentally I also got my intern licence mid 2007 and it is about to expire and I just learnt that it cannot be renewed. I was also furious that it is not mentioned on the website. Based on Olivia83's reply it looks like there is a way out?
I had communicated with the nameless query email on the cal pharmacy board, and they told me that all I can do is return the licence and when I want to start my intership get the balance time left.... which is not sufficient for 1500 hours! At a loss as to what to do....

[rogapal]

Originally Posted by msameera

I got my CA intern pharmacist license in late 2007 but due to family commitments have not been able to start my internship. And now when I am ready, there are no positions available due to the bad economy.

I recently got to know from a friend that they do NOT allow foreign FPGEE graduates to renew their internship licenses in CA. Seems too draconian a rule for me. At this point, even if I start working tomorrow, it is highly unlikely I would finish the required hours of internship by the time my license expires.

Can someone let me know what my options are ?

If not renewal, should I re-apply or are my chances for completign my internship in CA ruined forever ?

Nowhere on the Pharmacy board website for California do I see any restriction on internship licenses not being renewed ? Where has this so called rule emanated from ?

Hi Msameera,

CA BOP doesn't extend or renew intern licenses. What you can try to do is to write the Board and explain your situation. In my case, when I was not drawn in the lottery, I was advised to have it cancelled and just request for activation when needed. However, the effectivity of the new license issued when you apply again will no longer be 2 yrs. It will depend on how much time is left from the time it was issued and the time you will have or had it cancelled.

[wishtopass]

[tumboka]

Hi,

Yes, it is true that you can not renew the intern license for the pharmacist with California Board. They do not tell you that also. You can also not suspend it,if we are not using it. I guess maybe if you make a individual request they may or may not consider it.

In Texas to get a intern license you need to pass the Naplex and law exam before you get the intern license and to get all this you need a Social Security number if you do not have one there is nothing you can do and someone from the Board told that if you do not have SSN try in a State where SSN is not required.

Each State board of Pharmacy has it own set of rules.

[nairutya]

I can relate. But you are here, so lets try to think what you can do with what you have now.
1) You need to email them or talk with them on phone. I think, you can explain your situation better in email. What kinda family situation are you referring to? Death? birth? illness? hospitalization? abortion? taking care of family members? All these incidences can be proved using a paper certificate. May be you can consider sending them an attested copy of this alongwith your email.
2) They said that they are okay with sending them back your license, right? If I were in your shoes, I would do that. That would at least put the ticking clock on hold. Its better than nothing. I understand that it won't buy you more time, but I would do that as my 1st measure of defence, if I were in your shoes.
3) Then start looking for internship. May be I missed the details from your post, but how many months do you have left on your license? Sit down and calculate how many hours of internship can you realistically do in a day and complete 1500 hours? What if you put in 12 hours/day, may be take a day/week off, and work like a dog for 4-5 months, and complete your hours. It seems possible, right? CA board, does not put any restriction on how many hours you can do in a week.
Hope this makes sense.
Good luck!