What must a pharmacist submit if they fail to renew their license before December 31st but wish to continue practicing?

When a pharmacist fails to renew their license by December 31st and wishes to continue practicing, the requirement to submit a late fee is essential for reinstatement of their license. Most licensing boards establish deadlines for license renewal, and missing this deadline typically results in the need to pay a late fee as a penalty for the delay. This late fee acts as both a deterrent against procrastination and a means to manage the administrative costs associated with late renewals.

Submitting proof of continuing education, a new application, or an updated resume does not address the immediate requirement for the license reinstatement process. While continuing education may be necessary for the renewal process itself, it is generally not a standalone requirement if the renewal deadline has been missed. A new application would imply starting the licensing process over again, which may not be required if the pharmacist is eligible for late renewal. An updated resume has no relevance to the process of renewing a pharmacy license.

Thus, a late fee is the correct action that applies in this situation for allowing the pharmacist to resume their practice legally.