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Ohio medical license renewal
An Ohio MD or DO license expires two years from the date it was issued, and there is no grace period: a license that is not renewed is suspended automatically. Here is the timeline, the fee and the steps, from the State Medical Board of Ohio's own pages and statute.
At a glance
| Item | Ohio (MD and DO) |
|---|---|
| Renews | Every 2 years, two years from your issue date (not a fixed statewide date) |
| Renewal window opens | Up to 180 days before expiration. Reminder emails at 90, 60 and 30 days. |
| Renewal fee | $305 (includes $20 for the physician loan repayment fund), plus a $3.50 transaction fee |
| Where to renew | eLicense Ohio |
| CME | 50 / 2 years (all Category 1). Full Ohio CME rules |
| CME reporting | Attest at renewal; the board audits at random. Keep records 2 years after the period ends. |
| Late or expired | No grace period and no late-renewal window. An unrenewed license is suspended automatically and practicing is unlawful. Reinstatement within 2 years costs $405 (versus $305 on time). After 2 years: restoration, $505, with a background check and recent CME. |
Checked against the board’s own pages on October 28, 2026. Fees and windows change; confirm on the board’s site before you pay.
How to renew, step by step
- Finish your 50 CME hours for the 2-year period, including at least 1 hour on the duty to report. See Ohio CME requirements.
- Sign in to eLicense Ohio and choose Renew from your dashboard, up to 180 days before expiration.
- Update your name, addresses and email, answer the disclosure questions and certify your CME.
- If you prescribe opioids or benzodiazepines, certify that you have access to the state drug database.
- Pay $305 plus the transaction fee, then confirm the new expiration date on the license lookup.
What renewal asks for besides CME
- Current residence, business and email addresses.
- Certification of drug database access if you prescribe opioids or benzodiazepines.
- Your agreements with physician assistants and advanced practice nurses, and the share of your practice done by telehealth (the board recently updated the application).
- Any guilty plea, finding of guilt or intervention in lieu of conviction since your last renewal.
Licenses from the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
The board says Ohio's renewal cycle and CME requirements stay the same for Compact licenses. A Compact-issued Ohio license renews in two steps: submit through the IMLC Commission's site (it charges $25 per renewal plus the state fee), then finish in eLicense Ohio when board staff email instructions. An Ohio license not issued through the Compact cannot be renewed through it.
Common questions
When does an Ohio medical license expire?
Two years from the date it was issued, then every two years after that. Ohio does not use a single statewide renewal date for physicians.
How much does it cost to renew an Ohio medical license?
$305, which includes $20 for the physician loan repayment fund, plus a $3.50 online transaction fee.
Is there a grace period for Ohio license renewal?
No. A license that is not renewed by its expiration date is suspended automatically, and practicing on it is unlawful. Reinstatement within two years costs $405.
How early can I renew in Ohio?
Up to 180 days before the expiration date, on eLicense Ohio.
Never miss a Ohio renewal
The Interstate Medicine Ledger tracks your Ohio license, DEA and other registrations, and counts every CME certificate against Ohio’s rules and every other state you hold. $60 a year ($5 a month), 30 days free.
Related: Ohio CME requirements · License renewal beyond CME, by state · DEA registration renewal · State controlled-substance registration
Sources
Educational information for physicians (MD and DO), not legal advice. Interstate Medicine is not affiliated with the State Medical Board of Ohio, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission or any licensing board.