What is the difference between active and inactive license status?

• A. Active licenses may be limited to research only; inactive allows full practice.
• B. Active licenses allow practice; inactive licenses may require renewal and continuing education but restrict practice.
• C. Active licenses expire every year; inactive never expires.
• D. Active licenses require no renewal; inactive require annual renewal.

Answer: (B)

Active versus inactive license status mainly decides whether you’re allowed to practice. An active license means you’re authorized to work in your field and you’ll typically stay current through regular renewal alongside required continuing education. An inactive license keeps the credential on file but does not permit practicing; you’ll usually still need to renew and may have to meet continuing education or other requirements to reactivate later, rather than being able to practice now.

One option misstates the idea by suggesting active status is limited to research while inactive allows full practice. The other common misunderstandings—such as active licenses expiring yearly, inactive never expiring, or active requiring no renewal—don’t reflect how licensure works in most systems, where renewals and continuing education or reactivation steps are part of both statuses.