Medical Board of California iOS app now available for iPhone and iPad Access to information on your doctor at your fingertips, 24/7. Developed by the Medical Board of California as part of its ongoing commitment to protecting California's health care consumers. Making informed health care decisions has never been easier. Receive notifications when a doctor's name, address, practice status, license expiration, or survey data changes, and when administrative actions and enforcement documents are added to a doctor's profile. The information includes notification when a doctor's license is suspended, revoked, or placed on probation. News Release July 26, 2018 July 26, 2018 General Licensure, Medical Board of California 0 0 Comment Read More »
FSMB releases free online education modules for medical students and residents The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) has released a free online education module for medical students and residents who are interested in learning about the medical licensing process. The new module, "Understanding and Navigating the Medical Licensing Process," is designed to help medical students and residents familiarize themselves with the licensing process before they apply with their state medical board. This is the second module in a series of online educational offerings developed by the FSMB Workgroup on Education for Medical Regulation. The workgroup is currently working on future modules focused on the medical disciplinary process and dealing with physician health and impairment. Click here to access this module. October 19, 2017 General Licensure, Medical Board of California, Medical Students, Residents and Fellows 0 0 Comment Read More »
CMA says breastfeeding mothers must be accommodated when taking exams The California Medical Association (CMA), along with the American Medical Women’s Association and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), sent a letter to Prometric, one of the largest test development and delivery networks in the country, asking it to ensure that pregnant and breastfeeding test takers have consistent access to reasonable accommodations during their exams. “It has come to our attention that Prometric does not consistently provide appropriate accommodations to candidates who are pregnant or breastfeeding at the time they are taking exams at Prometric facilities,” said the letter. “These accommodations are medically necessary and denying them can lead to adverse medical consequences for test takers." Testing accommodations are necessary for many people who are pregnant or breastfeeding because the default conditions for administering their exams generally do not meet their needs. Rules restrict what candidates may bring into the test site, there is no access to a private location in which to express breast milk (other than the public restroom) and the existing breaks may, depending on an individual candidate’s circumstances, be insufficient for dealing with conditions associated with pregnancy, including the necessary expression of breast milk. “Denying these accommodations also violates California law, which strictly prohibits business establishments from discriminating on the basis of sex. As defined in the law, discriminating on the basis of 'sex' includes discrimination on the basis of pregnancy and pregnancy-related medical conditions, such as breastfeeding.” Prometric operates a multinational network of testing centers, with thousands of sites in 160 countries. The company administers countless health care certification and entrance exams, such as the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Because the company already provides accommodations for candidates with disabilities, CMA believes extending accommodations to candidates who are pregnant or breastfeeding should be a straightforward endeavor. “Accommodations should be made available to pregnant or lactating test takers on the same terms as they are offered to others with medical conditions or disabilities,” the letter said. Numerous professional organizations and the California legislature have established specific guidelines for ensuring appropriate accommodations for pregnancy and breastfeeding. California has enacted strong legal protections that require reasonable accommodations for people who are pregnant, nursing or experiencing pregnancy-related medical conditions. Click here to read the letter. November 28, 2016 General Licensure, Public Health, Women's Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Changing locations? Remember: a change of address of record must be reported to the Medical Board of California within 30 days at http://www.mbc.ca.gov/Licensees/Address_of_Record.aspx. (Business and Professions Code Section 2021(d)) July 14, 2015 General Licensure, Medical Board of California 0 0 Comment Read More »
Medical Board produces video to assist new applicants with the licensing process In response to the many inquiries regarding how to correctly complete the application for a California medical license, the Medical Board of California has produced a 20 minute video to assist new applicants with the licensing process. The video is available here. In addition, applicants can go to the medical board website, click on an individual form and see an instructional video just for that form. Contact: Medical Board of California, (800) 633-2322. October 10, 2014 General Medical Board of California, Licensure 0 0 Comment Read More »
Medical board gives priority licensing review to physicians practicing in underserved areas The Medical Board of California will give priority review and processing of license applications to any physician who has received or accepted an offer of employment to work in an area of California designated as underserved. In order to be considered for this process, applicants need to submit the initial application forms, fingerprint cards (out-of-state applicants) or Live Scan (California applicants), application fees, primary source documents and supporting documents. Physicians also need to supply the additional documentation: An original signed and dated letter from the applicant to the medical board confirming acceptance of employment in California to provide medical services to a formally-designated underserved area and /or population. An original signed and dated letter from the prospective employer confirming the offer of employment. Documentation confirming the facility is in an underserved area or serves an underserved population or medical specialty from the California Department of Public Health, California Office of Statewide Health and planning Development, California Health Professions Education Foundation, California Department of Health Care Services or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For more information, click here. Contact: Mark Seidl, (916) 274-6103 or Mark.Seidl@mbc.ca.gov. September 4, 2014 General Medical Board of California, Rural Health, Licensure 0 0 Comment Read More »
Physicians renewing licenses experiencing delays The Medical Board of California is asking physicians who need to renew their medical licenses to do so early due to delays associated with the implementation of a new online licensing and enforcement system. This transition is resulting in disruptions in cashiering and other services and is affecting both online and mail renewals. Currently, the medical board is experiencing delays of 6-8 weeks to update its website and provide physicians with a current wallet license. Physicians whose licenses are expiring are encouraged to submit renewals as soon as possible to avoid licensing delays that could impact their ability to practice. Renewal notices are sent out 90 days in advance of the licensee's expiration date. If your license expiration date is approaching and you have submitted your renewal application, but it has not yet been successfully processed, the California Medical Association (CMA) recommends that you contact the medical board for an update on your licensing status. If you have not yet submitted your renewal application to the medical board, do not submit it to the P.O. Box listed on the renewal notice, as it may not be processed prior to your expiration date. For faster service, the medical board recommends submitting the renewal application to: Medical Board of California 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1200 Sacramento, CA 95815 This will allow for expedited processing. Questions should be directed to the medical board at (916) 263-2382 or webmaster@mbc.ca.gov. June 18, 2014 General Medical Board of California, Licensure 0 0 Comment Read More »
Governor signs CMA-sponsored bill to expedite physician licensure for practice in underserved areas Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill (AB 1288) sponsored by the California Medical Association (CMA) that requires priority review status be given to the license applications of physicians who can demonstrate that they intend to practice in a medically-underserved area or serve a medically-underserved population. With California facing an uneven disbursement of physicians, increasing the physician pipeline to those areas to ensure delivery of safe, quality medical care will be crucial to the health of those communities. “We need more physicians in rural and underserved areas of California,” said Paul R. Phinney, M.D., CMA president. “Assembly Bill 1288 will expedite relief to parts of the state suffering from uneven physician distribution, more quickly bringing highly-trained and educated medical professionals to areas where they can efficiently and effectively treat patients and lead integrated health care teams.” AB 1288 (V. Manuel Perez – Riverside) will not change the vigorous standards of the Medical Practice Act but will instead focus resources on the areas and populations with the greatest need. The new license processing requirements will apply to both the Medical Board of California and the Osteopathic Board of California. “CMA has a continued commitment to address the physician distribution problem, and legislation like AB 1288 is a step in the right direction,” added Dr. Phinney. “The leadership of members like Assemblymember V.M. Perez is what we need to put more physicians in the pipeline of underserved communities like Riverside and Imperial Counties, while upholding the integrity of the medical profession; providing safe, quality care to patients who need it the most.” CMA has long advocated for programs, such as the Steven M. Thompson Loan Repayment Program, that provide support physicians who practice in rural or underserved parts of the state. Thank you to all of our legislative key contacts who took the time to contact the governor. Your advocacy was key in getting AB 1288 signed into law. September 11, 2013 General Licensure, Medical Board of California, Underserved Communities, Professional Development and Licensure 0 0 Comment Read More »
Is your license renewing in September or October? Renew early to avoid delays with new online licensing system The Medical Board of California is asking physicians that need to renew their medical licenses during September and October to do so early due to a planned disruption. According to the medical board, the Department of Consumer Affairs will transition to a new online licensing and enforcement system in mid-September 2013 and during this transition there could be disruptions in cashiering and other services. The disruption will affect both online and mail renewals. To avoid any possible lapse in licensure due to processing delays, physicians whose licenses are set to renew in September and October are strongly encouraged to submit their renewal fees prior to September 1, 2013. If you have questions, please contact the Medical Board at webmaster@mbc.ca.gov. August 22, 2013 General Medical Board of California, Licensure 0 0 Comment Read More »
