Reinstating a Suspended or Revoked License
Suspension, Revocation and Lapse
A suspension or revocation does not always end a career. Pennsylvania law provides paths back to practice, but the waiting periods and requirements differ by profession and by the reason the license was lost.
A suspension, a revocation and a lapse each call for a different path back to practice.
After a Suspension
A suspension lasts for a set period or until conditions are met. Reinstatement usually requires proof that each condition in the board’s order has been satisfied, such as payment of a civil penalty, completion of education or a period of monitoring.
After a Revocation
Under many practice acts, a licensee whose license has been revoked may not apply for reinstatement for at least five years, and must then meet all current licensing qualifications, in some cases including the examination requirement. Under several acts, after a suspension or revocation for a felony drug conviction, reinstatement may be sought only after ten years, although Act 53 of 2020 may limit those provisions to drug trafficking offenses.
After a Lapse
Practice on a lapsed or expired license is unlicensed practice. The licensee should stop practicing, renew or reactivate the license and address the period of unlicensed practice directly.
Building the Reinstatement Record
A strong reinstatement application usually includes the following.
- Proof of compliance with every term of the prior order
- Continuing education completed while away from practice
- Evidence of treatment and sustained recovery, where impairment was an issue
- Letters from employers, colleagues and treatment providers
- A candid written account of what happened and what has changed
- A clean record since the discipline
Questions Licensees Ask
Is a hearing required?
Depending on the board and the history, a reinstatement application may be decided on the written record, or the applicant may be asked to appear or to attend a hearing. The applicant should expect to show that reinstatement is appropriate.
What if my license lapsed and I kept working?
Short lapses are commonly addressed through the citation program with a civil penalty; longer lapses may lead to formal action.
How can the firm help?
For applicants whose history may raise questions, and for licensees seeking reinstatement after suspension, revocation or lapse, the firm assembles the application and supporting record and presents the matter to the board.
Meet Your Attorney
Steven A. Mimm, Esq.
Founder, Mimm Law, LLC. Admitted in Pennsylvania (2008) and New Jersey (2022).
From 2014 to 2022, Attorney Steven A. Mimm served as a prosecuting attorney bringing disciplinary actions on behalf of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs before Pennsylvania's licensing boards. That experience informs how the firm evaluates evidence, negotiates with the Commonwealth and prepares cases for hearing. Where a licensee also faces criminal charges, the firm handles the licensing matter and coordinates with the licensee's criminal defense counsel.
Related: Licensing and FAQs · All Licensing Boards
Last reviewed September 2026. The information on this page is general in nature and is not legal advice. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.