CA Medical License Information
Important information about your California Medical License
California law requires all postgraduate trainees (graduates of U.S. and Canadian medical schools), to qualify for and receive their medical license by the end of their second year of postgraduate training. If you do not obtain your license by the end of your second postgraduate year (June 30th), you will not be allowed to continue your residency training. There are no exceptions to this law. Additionally, as your training will be interrupted, this may adversely affect your qualifications for board certification.
State law allows international medical graduates to continue to train for one additional year. If you are an international medical graduate, licensure must be obtained by the end of your third year of postgraduate training.
License packets are available in the House Staff Office (Room 17-320 CHS). Since the licensing process can take up to 6 months, it is suggested you begin the process as soon as eligible. If your birthday falls in the months of April, May or June, you should proceed with the entire license application process as soon as eligible, but withhold the final licensing fee until the first of the month of your birth. Do not wait until your birth month to submit the license packet if your birthday is in April, May or June. The Medical Board encourages applicants to submit the white application itself (pages L1-A through L1-D) plus the Live Scan fingerprint card as early as possible. The other documents (transcripts, diploma, board scores) may be sent under separate cover. It is important to start the application process early, so that a file may be opened for you.
We strongly encourage you to use the Medical Center address rather than your home address when applying for your license, as your name and license address become public knowledge and are posted on the Medical Board's Website. Be sure to include the UCLA Medical Center as the sponsoring facility. The associated address is 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095, when using your professional address. In some areas, you may opt to use the following: Les Kelley Family Health Center, 1920 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404.
The L3A Form: Complete Part 1.
The L4 Form: Fill in your name, social security number and date of birth.
Completing the forms and obtaining signatures on the L3A and L4: Forward the forms to either Ana or Christine. The remaining items on these forms will be completed by the residency staff, including obtaining the Program Director's signature and the hospital seal. The completed forms can either be returned to you for you to mail out yourself or the residency staff can mail them directly to the medical board.
Please feel free to call Rose Ziff at 825-8307 or the residency support staff at 319-4709 if you have any questions or problems regarding licensure.