California Medical License
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Application Fee
There are two fees involved in the licensing process. The first fee is the application fee, which is $491 and includes the $49 non-refundable fingerprint processing fee. This combined fee must be paid before the review of your application can begin.
Once your application is complete, you must pay an initial license fee of $808 before a license can be issued. However, if you are enrolled in an ACGME/RCPSC training program on the date you apply or are licensed, you are eligible for a 50 percent reduction of the initial license fee. To be eligible for the reduced fee, your program must document your current enrollment in the program; a payment of $416.50 will be required.
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Photographs
The application must be accompanied by one 2-1/4" x 3" photograph of your head and shoulder areas only.
You can use any type of photo as long as it is the correct size, recent, and shows only your head and shoulders.
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Fingerprinting
The application contains a LIVE Scan form for electronic fingerprinting. LIVE Scan is available only to California applicants. LIVE Scan fingerprints can be taken at the UCLA Police Station, 601 Westwood Plaza, from 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call 206-8126 for an appointment. There is a $20 charge.
You must bring your social security card or an official document which contains your social (UCLA Sure Pay, W-2 form, etc.) You may also check with the police stations in Culver City and Santa Monica to schedule LIVE Scan fingerprinting.
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Medical School Certification
Part of the application (L2) must be sent to your medical school for certification. Official transcripts from your medical school must accompany this form. If your medical school will not send the transcripts directly to you, they may be sent directly to the Medical Board of California, regardless of whether or not the rest of your application has been completed.
Please Note: The forms request an undergraduate transcript - Please disregard. This is not needed.
The Board will accept a certified copy of your medical school diploma in lieu of the original diploma. Send a copy of your diploma on one piece of paper (you may have to use a copy machine with a reducing feature) to your medical school. Ask either the Dean's Office or Student Affairs to certify that it is a true copy of the original diploma issued to you. This statement must be signed and be accompanied by the school seal (not a notary seal).
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Proof of Citizenship
If you are a U.S. citizen, you do not need to submit proof of citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must submit a certified copy (not Xerox) of your birth certificate or your actual passport. You should also enclose a Xerox of either document and a self addressed envelope so the originals can be returned to you as quickly as possible.
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USMLE Exam
You must request an EBAHR, which provides a history (transcript) of your USMLE scores.
The fee is $50 for two copies and your request form must be notarized. You can pick up an EBAHR request from Rose in the GME Office, Room 17-320 CHS, or you can complete the request online. If you request your EBAHR online, you do not need a notarization.
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Certification of Completion of AGCME/CCME Postgraduate Training
This form (L3A) is to verify that you have completed the required 12 months of postgraduate training (24 months if you are an IMG). It must be completed and signed by your program director and the Director of Medical Education.
If you did not do your internship at UCLA, you must have the L3A form completed at the facility in which you satisfactorily completed that training. Please note: The Medical Board will not accept the L3A form if it is dated prior to the completion of your internship
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Notarizations
The license application must be notarized. The GME Housestaff Office offers notary service to house staff for university business only. Please call the Institutional Housestaff Coordinator for an appointment.
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Initial License Expiration
Your license is valid for two birthdays and expires on the last day of your birth month. The length of an initial license may vary from 13-24 months depending on when you apply. If you obtain your license during your birth month, you will have a full 24 months.
If your birthday is in April, May, or June: Do not wait until your birthday to submit your license application or you may not have your license by July 1st.
Send in your license application EARLY with the application fee of $508. The Medical Board will process your application and request $300 for the licensing fee. Wait to send in the licensing fee until the month of your birth.
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Licensed from another State
If you are, or ever have been, licensed to practice medicine in another state you need to request an official letter of Good Standing from that state medical board. This includes all temporary, provisional, or limited licenses issued to you by the state board.
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DEA Certificate
After you receive your license, you may apply for a DEA certificate. Applications for the DEA are available from the Graduate Medical Education Office or online. The fee for a DEA certificate is waived for physicians practicing in state institutions (this includes UCLA).
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Online Application
To apply online, you will have to create a username and password and also supply your e-mail address. There is an additional $10 fee to apply online so your total will be $815 instead of $805, but you can pay by credit card.
Unfortunately, not all of your application can be done online. One advantage to applying online is to expedite the licensing process by typing all of your information for them and paying by credit card. You still need to complete hard copy forms for your medical school (L2), your internship (L3A), and for the discount (L4), and you will need to submit your fingerprint paperwork.
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