Paper-Based Applications No Longer Provided After 2022
Beginning December 30, 2022, the Board will no longer provide paper application forms on the Board's website for applicants to Transition from a Postgraduate Training License to a Physician’s and Surgeon’s License as it moves to a paperless application process. Beginning February 1, 2023, the Board will no longer accept and process paper applications submitted to the Board.
The switch to a paperless application process helps both applicants and the Board by increasing the efficiency of the review process, enhancing security, and reducing costs and impact to the environment.
For more information on how to submit your application through the Board's website, see “How to Apply for Transition” below.
Transition from a Postgraduate Training License to a Physician’s and Surgeon’s License
The transition process is for a resident who currently holds or has held a Postgraduate Training License (PTL) and is transitioning to a Physician’s and Surgeon’s (P&S) License. To apply for the P&S License through the transition process, you must have successfully:
- 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
- Taken and passed Step 3 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) within four attempts, Part I of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (LMCC) and Step 3 of the USMLE, or both parts of the LMCC.
P&S Initial License Renewal Requirement
As a requirement of the initial license renewal, the P&S licensee must provide verification of receiving credit of 36 months of board-approved postgraduate training, including at least 24-continuous months of training within the same program. The program may submit the Certificate of Completion of ACGME/RCPSC/CFPC Postgraduate Training Form (Form PTA-PTB) to the Board at any time before the license expiration date.
If your training was part of the MD-integrated Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) postgraduate training program, then you 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.
Proof of the required postgraduate training must be mailed to the Board and postmarked no later than 60 days after the initial license expiration date to be considered by the Board. Please note that your license will be automatically placed in delinquent status pending review if you do not submit proof of the required postgraduate training within sufficient time for the Board to process it before the end of the 60 days.
Wallet Card and Wall Certificate: Once your P&S License is issued, you may generate and immediately print your own wallet license using the Board's Wallet License Generator. The Board will mail your wall certificate to your address of record within two to four weeks.
Expedited and Priority Review
The Board may give your application for a P&S License priority or expedited review if you:
- Have served as an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces and were honorably discharged;
- Have received and accepted an offer of employment to work in an area of California formally designated as an underserved area or underserved population;
- Are going to provide abortions within the scope of practice of your medical license;
- Are a spouse of, domestic partner of, or in other legal union with, an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces who is assigned to a duty station in California under official active-duty military orders; or
- Were admitted to the United States as a Refugee, Granted Asylum, or have a Special Immigrant Visa Status.
You must submit the required documentation with your application to receive priority review. Please review additional requirements and required supporting documents on the Priority Review and Expedited Application Process.
P&S Temporary License
If you are a spouse of, domestic partner of, or in other legal union with, an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces who is assigned to a duty station in California under official active-duty military orders, you may qualify for a P&S Temporary License. For detailed information, visit the Physician’s and Surgeon’s Temporary License webpage.
P&S Limited Practice License
If you are eligible for a P&S License but are unable to practice some aspects of medicine safely due to disability, visit the Limited Practice License webpage for detailed information.
How to Apply for Transition
Third Party Services
You may use electronic commercial services to assist in completing your application for licensure. The Board does not mandate any of the electronic services. For additional information, visit the Third Party Services webpage. The Board is providing this information as a convenience to you.
To allow sufficient time for processing and remediating deficiencies, the Board strongly encourages you to submit your online Application to Transition from a 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.
Note: Do not complete this application packet if you are applying for licensure as an osteopathic physician and surgeon. Please contact the Osteopathic Medical Board of California at (916) 928-8390 for an application and further information.