New as of 3/31: DO NOT PAY YOUR LICENSING FEE UNTIL JUNE. We are currently working with the GME to devise a plan for reimbursement, given new union restrictions. If you've already paid the fee, please email Michelle so we can add your name to the list of folks to advocate for. 

All incoming residents must be licensed  by 180 days after residency start date. This may seem like ample time, but the licensing board often is overwhelmed this time of year, so processing can take longer than expected. 

The California Medical Board issues incoming residents a PTL (Postgraduate Training License), which is a training license, and cannot be used by fully trained and board certified physicians. This is great in that it reduces your own liability. 

Incoming residents with MD should start here.
Incoming residents with DO should use this link.

Feel free to schedule time to talk through any sticky parts of the paperwork at our office hours, sign up at the button above. You are also free to email Michelle Brooks @mbrooks@stanfordchildrens.org if you have any questions along the way. 

Major action items that should be addressed sooner rather than later (because they are largely out of your control):

Med School Action Items:

•  You will need complete the Form MED for your school and they will submit it, so the medical school can verify your education.

• Your school will need to send your transcripts and diploma to the Board via their portal, once it is available.

USMLE:

• Your examination history needs to be transmitted directly to the Board, by the USMLE.

LiveScan/Fingerprinting:

• You will want to schedule a time to get your fingerprints done and sent in- instructions can be found on the site. You will want to call your locations to ensure they are open. Please only use the sites recommended by the site, as unauthorized locations will try and charge exorbitant fees. 

Other steps to take:

• Ignore fingerprint card, you can get that done once you arrive in California.

• Get a passport photo taken. You can do this at most Walgreens. We would not recommend printing it yourself, but if you take the photo yourself (headshot, white background, looking straightforward), it is cheap to print from a USB. Get two copies, because you can use the second one for your step 3 applications. 

• If you are paying the application fee by check, submit your check to Bettina in the GME office. The Board's site calls this non-refundable, but it will be reimbursed by the GME, once you receive your training license. Best option is to pay via the Board's website. Save or print the receipt for reimbursement!

• Form EF is included in the forms you have to submit- but ignore it, as we will fill it out and submit it to the GME for submitting to the Board's portal. 

• Form EXP is used to answer further questions from the application. Use this for any exception you might have- you must report any infractions you have, except parking tickets. It is better to over-explain than to leave out information. This could be seen as not being truthful on your application, which results in your application being immediately discarded. If you have more questions about this, feel free to email Michelle Brooks, mbrooks@stanfordchildrens.org and we can discuss confidentially.