California Code, Business and Professions Code - BPC § 2746.8

(a) Each certificate issued pursuant to this article shall be renewable biennially, and each person holding a certificate under this article shall apply for a renewal of the certificate and pay the biennial renewal fee required by Section 2815.5 every two years on or before the last day of the month following the month in which their birthday occurs, beginning with the second birthday following the date on which the certificate was issued, whereupon the board shall renew the certificate.

(b) Each certificate that is not renewed in accordance with this section shall expire, but may, within a period of eight years, be reinstated upon payment of the biennial renewal fee and penalty fee required by Section 2815.5 and submission of proof of the applicant's qualifications as may be required by the board.  During the eight-year period, no examination shall be required as a condition for the reinstatement of an expired certificate that has lapsed solely by reason of nonpayment of the renewal fee.  After the expiration of the eight-year period, the board may require, as a condition of reinstatement, that the applicant pass an examination as it deems necessary to determine the applicant's present fitness to resume the practice of nurse-midwifery.