Medical License
Important Update
California Medical Board and Osteopathic Medical Board will no longer accept paper-based application forms. Applications should be submitted electronically through BreEZe.
Postgraduate Training License
Trainees enrolled in an ACGME accredited postgraduate training program in California must obtain a Postgraduate Training License (PTL) to practice medicine within their training program. The PTL should be secured within 180 days of program enrollment and does not need to be renewed. Applicants are advised to apply at least 6 months before the required deadline for the license.
- Application Fee: $674, payable online via BreEZe.
- PTL Application
- Apply online on BreeZe
- Answer application questions
- Pay the application fee
- Upload a copy of completed live scan (if applicable)
- Upload Explanation to Application Question (Form EXP) (if applicable)
- Upload updated CV or Timeline of Activities (Form TOA) (if applicable)
- PTL Enrollment Form - Submitted by the GME Office.
- Live Scan
- Attend the licensing fair hosted by GME for on-site live scan
- If unavailable, complete live scan at an agency in California and upload the photocopy to the online application
- Certificate of Completion of ACGME Postgraduate Training (if applicable)
- Certificate of Medical Education - Request from medical school post-application submission
- Certified Medical School Diploma - Request from medical school post-application submission
- Certified Medical School Transcript - Request from medical school post-application submission. E-transcripts are acceptable if sent directly to mbclicensingelectronicnotifications@mbc.ca.gov.
- USMLE Transcript - Proof of passing Steps 1 and 2CK
- ECFMG Certification Status Report - For international graduates only
- Application Fee: $491, payable online via BreEZe.
- PTL Application
- Apply online on BreEZe
- Answer application questions
- Pay the licensing fee
- Upload completed Live Scan
- Upload photocopy of medical school diploma
- Upload photocopy of a 2x2 passport-like photo (GME can assist in taking these photos)
- Upload Explanation to Application Question (OMB. EXP) (if applicable)
- Fill out and email Form OMB.26 with a 2x2 photo to OMBC.Applications@dca.ca.gov
- PTL Enrollment Form - Submitted by the GME Office
- Live Scan
- Attend the licensing fair hosted by GME for on-site live scan.
- If unavailable, complete Live Scan at an agency and upload the photocopy to the online application.
- Certificate of Completion of AOA or ACGME Postgraduate Training (if applicable)
- Certified Medical School Transcript - E-transcripts are acceptable if sent directly to OMBC.Applications@dca.ca.gov by the medical school
- COMLEX Transcript - Proof of passing Levels 1-2
- Application requires a 2x2 passport-like photo - Affix the photo to Form OMB.26 and attach a photocopy to the online application. GME can assist in taking your 2X2 passport photos.
Instructions for Transition from PTL to Physician's and Surgeon's License
Applicants with a current PTL can transition to a Physician and Surgeon License. Apply at least six months before the PTL expires.
Eligibility Requirements:
- ACGME Training
- U.S. and Canadian Medical School Graduates - Complete 12 months of ACGME training
- International Medical School Graduates - Complete 24 months of ACGME training
- Examinations - Provide proof of passing USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX Level 3.
- Additional Training - Show completion of 36 months of ACGME training at the time of the first license renewal.
Notice: D.O. interns must wait until after officially completing 12 months of training on June 30th to submit their license application. The OMBC will not accept applications submitted before this date.
- Reduced Licensing Fee: $600.50, payable online via BreEZe.
- Application to Transition
- Apply online on BreEZe
- Answer application questions
- Pay the licensing fee
- Upload Explanation to Application Question (Form EXP) (if applicable)
- Upload updated CV or Timeline of Activities (Form TOA)
- Certificate of Completion of ACGME Postgraduate Training (Form PTA/B) - Submitted by the GME Office.
- Current Postgraduate Training Verification (Form CTV) - Submitted by the GME Office.
- USMLE Transcript - Proof of passing Step 3.
- Application Fee and Licensing Fee: $625.00, payable online via BreeZe.
- Application to Transition
- Apply online on BreEZe
- Answer application questions
- Pay the licensing fee
- Upload photocopy of a 2x2 passport-like photo (GME can assist in taking these photos)
- Upload Explanation to Application Question (OMB.EXP) (if applicable)
- Fill out and email Form OMB.26 with a 2x2 photo to OMBC.Applications@dca.ca.gov
- Certificate of Completion of ACGME Postgraduate Training (Form OMB.25) - Submitted by the GME Office.
- COMLEX Transcript - Proof of passing Level 3.
Initial Physician and Surgeon's License Instructions
Applicants without a PTL can apply if they have completed at least 12 months of ACGME training for U.S. and Canadian graduates or 24 months for international graduates, and passed USMLE Step 3/COMLEX Level 3. Apply at least six months before the license is needed.
Eligible applicants have 180 days from the start of their ACGME training in California to obtain a medical license. It's recommended to apply at least 6 months before the deadline.
- Application & Reduced Licensing Fee: $1,274.50 (payable online via BreEZe).
- Application
- Apply online on BreEZe
- Answer application questions
- Pay all fees
- Upload copy of completed live scan request for electronic fingerprints (if completed in California)
- Upload Explanation to Application Question (Form EXP) (if applicable)
- Timeline of Activities (Form TOA) (if applicable)
- Upload supporting documents for expedited process (if applicable)
- Fingerprints
- Option 1: Live Scan (CA only) - Complete at an agency and upload the photocopy or mail it.
- Option 2: Two Fingerprint Cards (outside CA) - Submit to the board
- USMLE Transcript - Proof of passing Steps 1-3.
- ECFMG Certification Status Report - For international graduates only.
- Certificate of Medical Education (Form MED).
- Certified Copy of Diploma.
- Official Transcript - E-transcripts acceptable if sent directly to mbclicensingelectronicnotifications@mbc.ca.gov.
- Official English Translation (if applicable).
- Certificate of Completion of ACGME Postgraduate Training (Form PTA/B) - Request from all programs.
- Current Postgraduate Training Verification (Form CTV) - Request from current program to qualify for reduced fee.
- Certificate of Completion of CODA Postgraduate Training (Form CODA1-CODA2), if applicable.
- Updated CV or Timeline of Activities - Complete if graduated over six months ago.
- Application Fee and Licensing Fee: $625.00, payable online via BreEZe.
- Application for Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon Certificate
- Apply online on BreEZe
- Answer application questions
- Pay the licensing fee
- Upload completed live scan
- Upload photocopy of medical school diploma
- Upload photocopy of a 2x2 passport-like photo (GME can assist in taking these photos)
- Fill out and email Form OMB.26 with a 2x2 photo to OMBC.Applications@dca.ca.gov
- Certificate of Completion of ACGME Postgraduate Training (Form OMB.25) - Request from all training programs.
- COMLEX Transcript - Proof of passing Levels 1-3.
- Certified Medical School Transcript - E-transcripts acceptable if sent directly to OMBC.Applications@dca.ca.gov.
- Live Scan - Complete fingerprint card if out of state or Live Scan form if in California.
- License Verification - Request verification from any state where you held a license.
- Application requires a 2x2 passport-like photo - Affix the photo to Form OMB.26 and attach a photocopy to the online application (GME can assist in taking these photos).
FAQs:
Medical Board of California: $674
Osteopathic Medical Board of California: $491
All fees are non-refundable.
Reimbursement is eligible if you pay for the application fee after your official start date with Eisenhower Health. Submit your reimbursement to GMEPayments@eisenhowerhealth.org.
MBC: Accepted from Scrip-Safe, Parchment, Credentials Solutions, Inc., and the National Student Clearinghouse to mbclicensingelectronicnotifications@mbc.ca.gov.
OMBC: Accepted if sent directly by the medical school to OMBC.Applications@dca.ca.gov.
Not required to start but mandatory before issuance.
Must apply for and receive a PTL within 180 days of beginning the residency program.
Must obtain a PTL within 180 days of starting a California residency program.
MBC: Apply as soon as accepted into an ACGME program.
OMBC: Apply post-graduation from osteopathic medical school.
No, the PTL issued on or after January 1, 2024, is valid for up to 36 months and is not renewable.
No, there are no CME requirements while you are in an accredited postgraduate training program on a PTL. CME requirements begin after you obtain a Physician and Surgeon license.
No, to obtain an "X-License" or "Fluoroscopic Permit," you need a full and unrestricted Physician's and Surgeon's license. For more information, visit the California Department of Public Health website.
Medical Board of California: $600.50
Osteopathic Medical Board of California: $625.00
All fees are non-refundable.
Apply at least six months before your PTL expires.
Medical Board of California: $1,274.50 ($674.00 application fee + $600.50 licensing fee)
Osteopathic Medical Board of California: $625.00 ($200.00 application fee + $425.00 licensing fee)
All fees are non-refundable.
Apply at least six months before you need your license if you don't hold a PTL for California.
- U.S. Graduates: If you completed more than 12 months of training outside California, you need your medical license by the 180th day of training in California.
- International Medical Graduates: If you completed more than 24 months of training outside California, you need your medical license by the 180th day of training in California.
Yes, if you use the BreEZe Online System, you must pay all required fees when submitting your application.
- Postgraduate Training License: $674.00 application fee.
- Transition from PTL to Physician and Surgeon's License: $600.50 reduced license fee.
- Physician and Surgeon's License: $1,274.50 total ($674.00 application fee + $600.50 reduced license fee).
Other Resources
Please view the medical board's website on Continuing Medical Education for full description of requirements.
Non-ACGME Programs: Trainees must have a valid CA Medical License before starting.
License Grace Period:Those with 36 months of ACGME training in the U.S. have 180 days to obtain a CA MD license when entering a PGY-4 program in California.
Visiting Residents: M.D. and D.O. residents from outside California can join ACGME residencies as "visitors" for up to 90 days without a PTL or full medical license.
The reporting requirement is pursuant to Business and Professions Code (B&P) Section 802.1 which states:
802.1. (a) (1) A physician and surgeon, osteopathic physician and surgeon, and a doctor of pediatric medicine shall report either of the following to the entity that issued his or her license: (A) The bringing of an indictment or information charging a felony against the licensee. (B) The conviction of the licensee, including any verdict of guilty, or plea of guilty or no contest, of any felony or misdemeanor. (2) The report required by this subdivision shall be made in writing within 30 days of the date of the bringing of the indictment or information or of the conviction. (b) Failure to make a report required by this section shall be a public offense punishable by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000).
Medical Board of California reporting form - Physician Reporting - Criminal Actions Form