California Medical Board Licensing Requirements

Changes effective January 1, 2022

Obtaining the appropriate California medical license is the responsibility of every physician.  Failure to obtain the license will result in removal from clinical duties.

Postgraduate Training License (PTL) 

• A Postgraduate Training License (PTL) is required for US medical school graduates until they have received credit for 12 months of US ACGME-accredited training or Canadian RSCPC- or CPFC-accredited training
• A Postgraduate Training License (PTL) is required for international medical school graduates until they have received credit for 24 months of US ACGME-accredited training or Canadian RSCPC- or CPFC-accredited training
• The PTL will be valid until 90 days after the 12- / 24-month requirement to allow an applicant time to obtain a California Physician and Surgeon License (The expiration date listed on the PTL will be inclusive of this 90-day window)

California Physician and Surgeon License

• An Unrestricted California Medical License is required for US medical school graduates for participation in an ACGME training program after their first 12 months of successful US ACGME-accredited or Canadian RSCPC- or CPFC-accredited post-graduate training
• An Unrestricted California Medical License is required for international medical school graduates for participation in an ACGME training program after their first 24 months of successful US ACGME-accredited or Canadian RSCPC- or CPFC-accredited post-graduate training

Grace Periods for New Hires

• ACGME-Accredited Training Programs
  • Post-Graduate Training License: Eligible incoming trainees have up to 180 days after entering an ACGME-accredited training program to secure the training license
  • Unrestricted California Medical License: Eligible incoming trainees have up to 90 days to secure the license if entering an ACGME-accredited program 
     
• Non-ACGME-Accredited Training Programs
  • Unrestricted California Medical License:  Eligible incoming trainees entering a Non-ACGME Program have no grace period.  A California Physician and Surgeon License must be secured before the start of training

Renewal

• California Physician and Surgeon License must be renewed every 24 months
• Upon initial renewal, the applicant will need to provide evidence they have completed 36 months of US-ACGME-accredited or Canadian RSCPC- or CPFC-accredited training which includes successful progression through 24-continuous months of training in the same program

Additional Details

• ACGME-International Training does not qualify as California Medical Board-approved training for a California Medical License
• Deadlines for obtaining licenses are defined in California statute and are not flexible.  Failure to obtain a license by the indicated deadline will result in removal from clinical duties
• Visiting Trainees (Rotators) may work without a license in California for no more than 90 days
  • Rotators must be both enrolled in a US ACGME-accredited Program and rotating at UC Davis in an ACGME-accredited Program
  • International Residents are not permitted to rotate

For additional information please see the appropriate Medical Board websites: 

Please contact the GME Office with any questions regarding licensure.