California Medical License

Medical Board

The Medical Board of California exists to protect healthcare consumers and avoid injury by ensuring that doctors, surgeons, and certain other healthcare professionals are appropriately licensed and regulated. The Board vigorously implements the Medical Practice Act, with the goal of maintaining high medical care standards and increasing access to quality healthcare via licensing, policymaking, and regulation.

The Board has a long history, starting with the passing of the first Medical Practice Act in 1876. Over time, its responsibilities expanded. In 1922, a separate Osteopathic Board was formed. By 1953, the Board began regulating physical therapists, and in 1957, podiatrists were no longer under its purview. Major milestones include adopting standards for foreign medical graduates in 1936, establishing probation monitoring and continuing medical education (CME) in 1978, and taking over investigations of complaints in 1977 by setting up regional offices and hiring key enforcement staff. In the 1990s, midwives were reintroduced into the licensing pool, telemedicine laws were crafted, and the Board took part in crafting California’s medical marijuana laws under Proposition 215.

The Board is made up of 15 individuals, including eight physicians and seven representatives from the general public. The Governor appoints the majority of members, with the exception of two public members selected by the Speaker of the Assembly and the Senate Rules Committee.

One of the Board’s key initiatives includes revising its Guidelines for Prescribing Controlled Substances for Pain, originally published in 2014. This effort ensures that California physicians are following up-to-date, safe practices when prescribing controlled substances for pain management.

California Medical License Requirements

To qualify for a California Physician and Surgeon (P&S) License, applicants must meet several critical requirements.

1. Medical Education
   Graduated from a U.S., Canadian, or international medical school approved by the California Medical Board (BPC section 2084).
2. Postgraduate Training
   • U.S. and Canadian graduates: 12 months of board-approved postgraduate training.
   • International graduates: 24 months of board-approved postgraduate training (BPC section 2096).
3. Examinations
   Successfully passed all required exams, as specified in BPC section 2170.

If you complete training in another state or in Canada and enter a California ACGME-accredited program, you must obtain your P&S License within 180 days. After 180 days, if you have not obtained your license, you must stop all clinical services to avoid disciplinary action (BPC section 2065(g)).

California Physician and Surgeon Temporary License

To be eligible for a California Physician and Surgeon (P&S) Temporary License, you must meet the requirements for a full P&S License. Once granted, a temporary license is valid for 12 months or until your full P&S license is issued, whichever comes first. During this time, you can work toward completing the full license application. Upon approval, you will receive a wall certificate, and your temporary license profile will be accessible online.

Requirements for a Temporary License:

• Be married to, in a domestic partnership with, or legally connected to an active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in California.
• Hold a current, active, unrestricted license to practice medicine in another U.S. state, district, or territory.
• Have no prior actions in any jurisdiction that would be grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of a license under California law.
• Not have faced discipline by another licensing body or be the subject of an unresolved complaint, review, or disciplinary proceeding.

The Board must receive fingerprint results from the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) before issuing a temporary license.

The California Medical Board may revoke a temporary license if it finds that you have not met the necessary requirements or provided false information. If your license is terminated, you will be required to cease all clinical services immediately.

California Medical License Reciprocity

California does not participate in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) or offer reciprocity with other states. Physicians must go through California’s full licensing process, regardless of whether they hold a medical license in another state.

Medical Schools Recognized by the Medical Board of California

Medical schools accredited by the Liaison Committee for Medical Education (LCME), the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools, or the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation are recognized by the Medical Board. They are also evaluated by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) or one of its authorized foreign medical school accreditation agencies.

Discover the complete list of medical schools recognized by the Medical Board of California.

PA License California

Becoming a physician assistant requires a bachelor’s degree or higher, graduation from a PA program recognized by the Physician Assistant Board of California, passing the PANCE, and completing a fingerprint background check and board-approved controlled substance education course. After meeting these requirements, you can submit a licensure application to the board along with the necessary documents and fees.

Psychiatrist License California

• Earn an MD and pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) 
• Complete a four-year residency program in psychiatry that combines traditional learning and on-the-job experience 
• Complete at least three years of graduate training in psychiatry in a program approved by the American Medical Association or the American Osteopathic Association

The process of becoming a psychiatrist can take up to 12 years.

DEA License California

You need to fill out an application, pay a fee, and present proof of your state-issued license in order to get a DEA license. The DEA Diversion Control Division website has more details on these regulations.

California Medical License Application

All new applicants must apply online. The Licensing Program of the Medical Board of California uses the information provided to determine eligibility for a Physician’s and Surgeon’s (P&S) License. If you do not submit the required information, the Board may reject your application as incomplete.

If you have been previously licensed in California, you must submit a paper application along with the required fees and return your original California wall certificate. If your certificate is lost or destroyed, a notarized statement explaining the situation is required.

Note that in 2023, two key bills were passed that impact healthcare licensing in California:

• AB 1369: Allows out-of-state physicians to treat patients with life-threatening conditions.
• AB 232: Authorizes the California Board of Behavioral Sciences to approve a 30-day temporary practice allowance for out-of-state licensees with equivalent licenses from other states or U.S. territories.

Licensing Pathways

There are various license types, each with specific application processes and documentation requirements.

• Physician and Surgeon License for U.S., Canadian, or international medical school graduates.
• Postgraduate Training License for graduates of Board-approved medical schools who have not yet completed the required 12 months (U.S./Canadian graduates) or 24 months (international graduates) of board-approved postgraduate training.
• Transition License for those holding a Postgraduate Training License (PTL) and are ready to transition to a full P&S License.
• Temporary License If you are married to, in a domestic partnership with, or legally connected to an active-duty U.S. Armed Forces member stationed in California, you may be eligible for a Temporary License under BPC section 115.6.
• Limited Practice License for those who qualify for a P&S License but are unable to perform certain medical functions due to a disability.

Each license type has distinct requirements and application steps, ensuring proper qualifications are met based on the specific pathway to practice in California.

How to Get a California Medical License

You can apply for a Physician’s and Surgeon’s (P&S) License online through the BreEZe Online Services system. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth application process:

Online Application Process:

• Step 1: Complete the application questions.
  • Full legal name, Social Security Number (SSN) or ITIN, and Address of Record.
  • Information on all licensing exams you’ve taken (USMLE, LMCC, FLEX, NBME, or state medical board).
  • Medical school name, address, dates of attendance, degree title, and graduation date.
  • Details on California ACGME-accredited postgraduate training (facility name, attendance dates, specialty).
  • List of any other medical licenses you’ve held (state, province, or territory).
• Step 2: Pay the necessary fees.
• Step 3: Upload your Request for Live Scan Service for electronic fingerprints (if applicable).
• Step 4: Submit additional documents, including:
  • Name Change Notification (if your legal name has changed).
  • Explanation to Application Question (Form EXP), if needed.
  • Timeline of Activities (Form TOA) or FCVS TOA without gaps, if required.
  • Documents for expedited processing, if applicable.

Criminal background checks from the California Department of Justice and the FBI are required for all applicants.

If your California P&S license lapsed more than five years ago, you have to reapply for it. Even with expedited reapplication, you must fulfill all current standards. If you are applying for a limited practice license send the Limited Practice License Form (Form LPL) with your online application or mail it thereafter.

To complete your application, you must submit several key documents:

1. Fingerprints
   • California Residents: Use the Live Scan fingerprinting system and submit the Request for Live Scan Service form.
   • Out-of-State Applicants: Send two completed fingerprint cards or visit a California Live Scan facility.
2. Exam and Certification Documentation
   • International Graduates: Submit an ECFMG Certification Status Report (or FCVS primary source verification).
   • Exam Scores: Submit official examination results (USMLE, NBME, or equivalent) through the certifying organization or FCVS.
3. Medical School and Training Program Documents
   • Your medical school must submit the Certificate of Medical Education (Form MED) and your official transcript (or FCVS primary source transcript).
   • Training programs must submit the Certificate of Completion of ACGME/RCPSC/CFPC Postgraduate Training (Form PTA-PTB) or Current Postgraduate Training Verification (Form CTV), if applicable.

Processing Time

California is one of the top destinations for physicians, but getting licensed can take some time depending on your credentials and practice history. On average, the process can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months. Although the Board’s goal is to process physician applications within 84 days and postgraduate licenses within 60 days, the high number of deficient applications has extended these timelines. During 2023/24 period, there were 2,285 initial applications flagged for deficiencies.

Currently, the actual processing times are about 106 days for initial licenses, 168 days for reinstatements, and 131 days for postgraduate licenses. To account for potential delays and address any deficiencies, the Board recommends submitting your Application for a Physician’s and Surgeon’s License at least six months before you plan to start practicing.

License Cost

The application fee for a California medical license is $674, which includes a $49 fee for fingerprint processing. This fee is non-refundable. If you’re the spouse, domestic partner, or in a legal union with an active-duty U.S. military member, the Board may waive the $625 application portion, but you’ll still need to cover the $49 fingerprint fee. To qualify, you’ll need to upload the appropriate documentation to your online application.

After completing the application, you’ll need to pay an initial license fee of $1,176 before the Board can issue your license. This includes a $25 mandatory fee for the Steven M. Thompson Physician Corps Loan Repayment Program. If you are a military spouse or in a similar relationship, the Board may waive the $1,151 license fee, but the $25 repayment program fee remains. Again, supporting documents are required to receive the waiver.

If you’re applying for a Postgraduate Training License (PTL), you’re only responsible for the $674 application fee, and the initial license fee doesn’t apply. However, if you’re currently enrolled in an accredited postgraduate training program (ACGME, RCPSC, CFPC, or CODA), you can receive a 50% discount on the initial license fee. Your program director will need to submit Form CTV to verify your enrollment, reducing the fee to $600.50, which still includes the $25 repayment program fee.

Renewal

The Medical Board of California’s Licensing Program helps licensees manage and renew their licenses every two years. Your California Physician’s and Surgeon’s License will expire at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the month it was issued, and there is no grace period for renewals.

As part of their process, the Board will notify you multiple times before your license expires. You’ll receive an email reminder 180 days before the expiration date to renew online. If your license is still not renewed within 120 days, the Board will mail a paper Renewal Notice to your Address of Record. At this point, you can renew online via BreEZe or by submitting the paper renewal notice and payment through the mail.

Physicians (MDs) must complete 50 hours of approved CME credits per cycle, with all credits being Category 1 approved. For Doctors of Osteopathy (DOs), starting January 1, 2022, the requirement is 50 credit hours per cycle, with 20 hours in AOA Category 1A or 1B3.

Initial License Renewal Requirements

For your first renewal, you must provide proof of 36 months of board-approved postgraduate training. This is a one-time requirement unless you are licensed under specific provisions or used experience under to qualify for your P&S License.

Proof of postgraduate training must be submitted to the Board within 60 days after the initial license expiration. If not, your license may be placed in delinquent status. Starting January 1, 2024, licenses will be valid for two years and 60 days to give applicants additional time to provide the required documents.

California Medical License Check

To verify the profiles of licensed healthcare providers in California, including physicians and allied professionals, visit the Medical Board’s Licensee Profile search page. For osteopathic physicians (DOs), refer to the Osteopathic Medical Board.

The California Medical License Lookup Tool is an essential resource for checking the licensure status of various healthcare professionals, including:

• Physicians and Surgeons
• Postgraduate Trainees
• Licensed Midwives
• Psychoanalysts and Student Researchers
• Fictitious Name Permit holders
• Special Faculty Permit holders
• Polysomnographic Technologists, Technicians, and Trainees
• Individuals or organizations in special programs

To use the tool, simply enter the name or license number of the professional, and view their current licensure status.

California DEA License Lookup

You can verify a DEA license using the DEA Diversion Control Division website or the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) License Search tool.

California Medical License Service

Navigating the California medical licensing process can be challenging, but with the right guidance and support, it’s entirely manageable. Understanding the specific requirements, fees, and procedures for obtaining and maintaining your medical license is essential. Whether you’re a first-time applicant, renewing your license, or seeking to practice in multiple states, MedicalLicensing.com is here to provide expert assistance every step of the way.

With the right direction and support, securing your license becomes a straightforward process. Rely on MedicalLicensing.com to guide you through each phase with expert insight and personalized service.