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Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the top FAQs for the Board. Have a different question? Search the FAQs by keyword or filter by topic. If you still haven't found your answer, contact the Board's Consumer Information Unit for assistance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Applicants and Licensees

Who is required to obtain a Postgraduate Training License?

A resident who:

  • Has graduated from an approved medical school pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 2084,
  • Has NOT received credit for 12 months (United States and Canada medical school graduates) or 24 months (international medical school graduates) of Board-approved postgraduate training,
  • Does not meet the minimum requirements for a Physician's and Surgeon's license in California, and
  • Matched into an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited postgraduate training program in California.

When is a resident required to obtain a Postgraduate Training License?

A resident must obtain their Postgraduate Training License within 180 days after enrollment in a California ACGME-accredited postgraduate training program to continue training in the program. If the PTL is not issued within 180 days of commencing ACGME-accredited training in California, all clinical activities must cease until the PTL is issued. The Board considers clinical practice beyond the 180 days as unlicensed practice of medicine, and you can be subject to a citation and fine, the denial of your PTL application, and/or other action.

When should an applicant apply for a Postgraduate Training License?

To allow sufficient time for processing and remediating deficiencies, the Board strongly encourages you to submit your online Application for a Postgraduate Training License, utilizing BreEZe Online Services, once you receive final confirmation of enrollment in a California Board-approved postgraduate training program. Prior to the issuance of the PTL, you must have graduated from medical school, and passed United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Steps 1 and 2CK or LMCC Part 1. The program director is required to submit the Postgraduate Training License Enrollment Form, Form EF, directly to the Board to verify enrollment in the program.

How much is the initial license application fee for a Postgraduate Training License?

The non-refundable initial application and processing fee is $674, which includes a mandatory $49 fingerprinting fee.

Is the program required to submit documentation to the Board regarding residents that are participating in their program?

Yes, for the Board to issue the Postgraduate Training License (PTL), the program director is required to submit the Postgraduate Training License Enrollment Form, Form EF, directly to the Board verifying the resident's enrollment in a California ACGME-accredited program. While enrolled in the program, if there are any changes that would affect the resident's enrollment status in the program or anticipated training end date of the program, the program director must notify the Board within 30 days by submitting the Program Status Update/Change Form, Forms PSU1 - PSU2 and the letter of explanation from the program director if required. The Board will update the PTL expiration date based on Form PSU1-PSU2 provided by the program director, if necessary. Status changes that may extend the PTL expiration date include, but are not limited to, probation, remediation, or a leave of absence. If the resident transfers or resigns from the program, or the program terminates the resident, prior to the anticipated program end date the program must submit Form PSU1-PSU2 and Form PTA-PTB directly to the Board.

Will a resident be issued any proof that they possess a Postgraduate Training License, and will it be made public?

Yes, once the Board issues the Postgraduate Training License (PTL), the licensee may generate and immediately print their own wallet license using the Board's Wallet License Generator. The Wallet License will identify that the resident holds an approved PTL. The license information is also available on the DCA Search website. The Wallet License and the DCA Search website include the name of the training program and the dates of training allowed under the PTL.

How long is a Postgraduate Training License valid and what circumstances can affect the validity of the PTL?

For applicants that have not completed any board-approved postgraduate training prior to the start of the California program, the expiration date of a Postgraduate Training License (PTL) will be valid for 36 months for all United States, Canadian, and international medical school graduates (BPC section 2064.5(b)). The program director may request to extend the PTL expiration date to allow the PTL holder to obtain credit for the 12 months (United States and Canadian medical school graduates) or 24 months (international medical school graduates) of required Board-approved postgraduate training (BPC section 2065 (f)). If the PTL holder does not obtain their P&S License by the PTL expiration date, all clinical services in California must cease.

Does a Postgraduate Training License need to be renewed?

No, a Postgraduate Training License does not need to be renewed. However, the program director must notify the Board within 30 days of any status changes that would affect the resident's anticipated end date of the program by submitting the Program Status Update/Chage Form, Forms PSU1 - PSU 2. The Board may extend the PTL expiration date to allow the PTL holder to obtain credit for the 12 months (United States and Canadian medical school graduates) or 24 months (international medical school graduates) of required Board-approved postgraduate training (BPC section 2065(f)). The request for an extension may be the result of probation, or the program terminates the resident, prior to the anticipated program end date, then the program must submit the Form PSU1-PSU2 and Form PTA-PTB directly to the Board.

What duties may a Postgraduate Training License holder perform?

The holder of a Postgraduate Training License (PTL) may engage in the practice of medicine only in connection with their duties as a resident in an ACGME-accredited postgraduate training program in California, including its affiliated sites, or under those conditions as are approved in writing by the director of their program. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Diagnose and treat patients,
  • Prescribe medication without a cosigner. The PTL holder may also prescribe controlled substances if he or she is registered with the Drug Enforcement Agency and is registered with the Department of Justice Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES),
  • Sign birth and death certificates without a cosigner, and
  • Sign any other forms a physician and surgeon is authorized to sign.

Can a Postgraduate Training License holder be issued a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) controlled substance permit?

The Board has confirmed with the DEA that a resident can apply and be issued a controlled substance permit once he or she has obtained a postgraduate training license. For more information or questions about this permit, contact the DEA or visit the DEA's website.

Is a Postgraduate Training License holder who has a valid DEA Controlled Substance Permit required to consult the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES)?

Yes, the CURES registration policy and requirements apply to a postgraduate training license holder. For more information, visit the Board's website.

Can a Postgraduate Training license holder obtain an "X-License" or "Fluoroscopic Permit?"

You must contact the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for information on how to obtain an "X-License" or "Fluoroscopic Permit" or visit the California Department of Public Health website.

Can a Postgraduate Training License holder who has a valid DEA Controlled Substance Permit/License prescribe Suboxone (Buprenorphine and Naloxone)?

A Postgraduate Training License holder must have a valid DEA Controlled Substance Permit/License and obtain proper certification through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to prescribe Suboxone. For additional information, visit the SAMHSA website.

Can a resident with a valid Postgraduate Training License moonlight?

A Postgraduate Training License (PTL) holder may engage in the practice of medicine only in connection with their duties as a resident in an ACGME-accredited postgraduate training program in California, including its affiliated sites, or under those conditions as approved in writing and maintained in the file by the director of their program. Accordingly, a PTL holder may moonlight with written authorization from the program director maintained in the resident's file.

Can a Postgraduate Training License be subject to discipline by the Board?

Yes, the Postgraduate Training License (PTL) holder is subject to the same disciplinary process and actions as a holder of a Physician's and Surgeon's License. This means that the Board may deny an application for a PTL, issue a probationary PTL, or take disciplinary action against the license.

Is the program director required to inform the Board of any status changes for residents enrolled in their program?

Yes, the program director is required to notify the Board of any status changes that would affect the resident's anticipated end date or status in the program. The program director must provide the Board a Program Status Update/Change Form, Forms PSU1-PSU2, within 30 days of the status change. The Board may extend the PTL expiration date to allow the PTL holder to obtain credit for the 12 months (United States and Canadian medical school graduates) or 24 months (international medical school graduates) of required board-approved postgraduate training (BPC section 2065(f)). This may be the result of probation, remediation, or a leave of absence. If the resident transfers or resigns from the program, or the program terminates the resident, prior to the anticipated program end date, then the program must submit the Form PSU1-PSU2 directly to the Board.

How many years of postgraduate training is required to qualify for a Physician's and Surgeon's License in California?

To qualify for a Physician's and Surgeon's (P&S) License in California, a resident must have received credit for either 12 months (United States and Canada medical school graduates) or 24 months (international medical school graduates) of Board-approved postgraduate training. All postgraduate training programs must be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) in the United States, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) in Canada.

For the initial renewal of your Physician and Surgeon (P&S) license issued on or after January 1, 2022, you must meet specific training requirements. This may include verification of 36 months of Board-approved postgraduate training or proof of enrollment in an approved program that spans through your license expiration date. Additionally, there may be specific requirements if your training was part of the MD-integrated Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) program.

For full details on the specific requirements and process, visit the Physician's and Surgeon's License Renewal page.

What is the next step once a Postgraduate Training Licensee meets the minimum postgraduate training requirement for a P&S license?

To allow sufficient time for processing and remediating deficiencies, the Board strongly encourages you to submit your online Application to Transition from Postgraduate Training License to a Physician's and Surgeon's License utilizing BreEZe Online Services, six months prior to receiving 12/24 months of credit from a Board-approved postgraduate training program. You must submit the following with the transition application:

  • The initial license fee,
  • Verification of a passing score on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 3 (the applicant must receive the passing score in no more than four attempts), and a
  • Certificate of Completion of ACGME/RCPSC/CFPC Postgraduate Training form (Form PTA/B) signed by the program director no earlier than 30 days prior to receiving either 12 months (United States and Canada medical school graduates) or 24 month (international medical school graduates) credit of board-approved postgraduate training.

When can I apply for a Physician's and Surgeon's License?

To allow sufficient time for processing and remediating deficiencies, the Board strongly encourages you to submit your Application for a Physician's and Surgeon's License six months in advance. If you received 12/24 months credit of Board-approved postgraduate training in another state or Canada and are enrolled in a California ACGME-accredited postgraduate training program, you must obtain your P&S license within 180 days from beginning your program. If the P&S License is not issued within 180 days of beginning ACGME-accredited training in California, all clinical activities must cease until the license is issued. The Board considers clinical practice beyond the 180 days as unlicensed practice of medicine, and you can be subject to a citation and fine, the denial of your license application, criminal prosecution, and/or other action.

If you are not enrolled in a California ACGME-accredited postgraduate training program, then you may not engage in clinical practice in California until you obtain a P&S License. The Board considers clinical practice without a license as unlicensed practice of medicine, and you can be subject to a citation and fine, the denial of your license application, criminal prosecution, and/or other action.

If you hold a current PTL, you should apply for a P&S License through the Transition process at least six months prior to your PTL expiration.

For the initial renewal of your Physician and Surgeon (P&S) license issued on or after January 1, 2022, you must meet specific training requirements. This may include verification of 36 months of Board-approved postgraduate training or proof of enrollment in an approved program that spans through your license expiration date. Additionally, there may be specific requirements if your training was part of the MD-integrated Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) program.

For full details on the specific requirements and process, visit the Physician's and Surgeon's License Renewal page.

What is a PTL and who needs to have one?

A Postgraduate Training License (PTL) is a license issued by the Board that authorizes a medical school graduate to participate in a California ACGME-accredited training program. To be eligible for a PTL, the applicant must be enrolled in an ACGME-accredited postgraduate training program in California, have received all their medical education from, and graduated from, a recognized medical school, and taken and passed an examination recognized by the Board.

Do I have to have an SSN or ITIN to apply for a PTL?

You can start the application process without an SSN or ITIN; however, the Board must receive verification of the SSN or ITIN prior to the issuance of the PTL. Disclosure of a United States Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is mandatory prior to the issuance of a PTL. Section 30 of the Business and Professions Code (BPC) authorizes collection of an SSN or ITIN. Section 31(e) of the BPC allows the State Board of Equalization and the Franchise Tax Board to share taxpayer information with the Board.

Which examinations are required to be passed before a Postgraduate Training License is issued?

The applicant must pass Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or Part I of the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) before the Board may issue a Postgraduate Training License.