California Code, Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2646

A license that has expired may be renewed at any time within five years after its expiration by applying for renewal as set forth in Section 2644.  Renewal under this section shall be effective on the date on which the renewal application is filed, on the date on which the renewal fee or accrued renewal fees are paid, or on the date on which the delinquency fee and penalty fee, if any, are paid, whichever last occurs.  A renewed license shall continue in effect through the expiration date set forth in Section 2644 that next occurs after the effective date of the renewal, at which time it shall expire and become invalid if it is not so renewed.