payment for hospital privileges

I'm considering a per-diem NP position in a private sector ED. Having spent the past 20 years as a municipal employee, I'm unfamiliar with the $300.00 fee the medical staff office is requesting for practice prerogatives. Is this routine? I work in Southern California. Thanks for your help!

[DL,WHNP]

My initial credentialing did cost $300 (NJ hospital)...I'm not sure what it was needed for, but the biannual recert has been free.

[EastCoast]

We call it medical staff dues. To have 'hospital privledges' you need to be a member of the medical staff. Therefore we pay. I still havven't figured out why.