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Physicians and Surgeons

A Physician or Surgeon (M.D.) is an individual issued a license allowing them to practice medicine. A physician may diagnose, prescribe, and administer treatment to individuals suffering from injury or disease.

Limited Practice License

You may apply for a Limited Practice License (LPL) if you are eligible for a Physician's and Surgeon's (P&S) License but are unable to practice some aspects of medicine safely due to a disability.

To be eligible for a Physician's and Surgeon's License, you must have:

  • Graduated from a U.S., Canadian, or an international medical school approved by the Board pursuant to Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 2084;
  • Received credit for either 12 (United States and Canadian medical school graduates) or 24 (international medical school graduates) months of board-approved postgraduate training; and
  • Passed all required examinations.

To be eligible for an LPL, you will be required to obtain an independent clinical evaluation of your ability to practice medicine safely as a condition of receiving an LPL (BPC section 2088 & California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 1315.50).

P&S Initial License Renewal Requirement

As a requirement of the initial license renewal, the P&S licensee must provide verification of receiving credit for 36 months of board-approved postgraduate training, including 24-continuous months of training within the same program.

The P&S licensee must provide evidence of receiving credit for at least 24 months of postgraduate training accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) to meet the initial renewal requirement. CODA-accredited postgraduate training must be part of an oral and maxillofacial surgery postgraduate training program after receiving a medical degree from a combined dental and medical degree program.

You are NOT required to provide this documentation of postgraduate training after the issuance of your P&S License if you:

  • Provided verification of receiving credit for 36 months of board-approved postgraduate training, including 24-continuous months in the same program, during the license application process (the Board will notify you once this requirement has been met), or
  • Are being licensed pursuant to BPC sections 2135, 2135.5, 2151, 2428, or if you used experience under BPC section 2113 Special Permit to qualify for a P&S License.

How to Apply for a Limited Practice License

In addition to the Application for Physician's and Surgeon's License, supporting documents, and fees, it will be necessary to submit an application for a Limited Practice License, Form LPL. This form is to advise the Board that you wish to apply for the Limited Practice License and consent to sign an agreement to abide by the practice limitations indicated in the independent clinical evaluation and any further conditions or terms set forth by the Board. (CCR section 1315.50).

A clinical evaluation must be performed by a licensed physician who specializes in the diagnosis and/or treatment of disabilities of the same nature as your disability and is familiar with your area of medical practice and has no history of discipline. The reviewing physician must not have any personal, professional, business, or social relationship with you. The evaluation must be completed within 60 days from the date on which the application was filed with the Board. (CCR section 1315.53).

Clinical Evaluation Requirements (CCR section 1315.55)

The clinical evaluation must:

  • Be on the reviewing physician's letterhead, dated, and signed under penalty of perjury, and shall contain the original signature of the reviewing physician;
  • Specify how the reviewing physician has no previous relationship with you;
  • Include your name and the diagnosis or description of your disability;
  • Describe all recommended practice limitations and how those limitations permit you to practice medicine safely;
  • Provide suggested intervals between evaluations if the disability is caused by a disease that will progress or fluctuate in severity;
  • Indicate whether the reviewing physician reviewed your medical records related to the disability; and
  • Describe the current treatment and your compliance with the treatment protocol, if appropriate for the type of disability.
 Forms
Form LPL