Frequently Asked Questions - Physician Credentials/Practice Specialties
How do I find out if my doctor has a practice specialty?
Physicians can identify their practice specialty on their Medical Board profile
and that information is available through the BreEZe Online License Lookup. You
can also obtain this information by either contacting the physician’s office directly,
reviewing the physician’s and/or medical group’s website, or by
contacting the local medical society if the physician is a member. Most
physicians have a practice specialty, which is the area of medicine they have received
additional training in, but not all physicians have medical specialty certification.
Medical specialty certification is a voluntary process granted by a member board
of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), a private organization, or
other equivalent board. Board certification is not required by the Medical Board
for a physician to practice. (See question below on board certification)
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My physician told me that she was board certified and handed me a card with her
board specialty. Is it mandatory for my physician to be "board certified" in her
specialty?
There is no current law that requires that a physician be "board certified." However,
unless physicians are certified by a specialty board as defined by law, physicians
are prohibited from using the term "board certified" in their advertisements. The
law does not, however, prohibit the advertising of specialization regardless of
board certification status, nor does it prohibit the use of "diplomate, member,
approved by," or any other term that is subject to interpretation by prospective
patients.
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My physician informed me that he is board certified by "XYZ" specialty board and
is advertising in the local newspaper. Is this legal?
Business and Professions Code §651(h)(5)(A) & (B) prohibits physicians from
advertising that they are board certified unless they are certified by one of the
following: a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties, a specialty
board with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accredited postgraduate
training program, or a specialty board approved by the Medical Board of California's
Licensing Program as equivalent.
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How do I know if my physician is board certified or if he or she is certified by
an approved specialty board?
Medical specialty certification is a voluntary process granted by a member board
of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), a private organization, or
other equivalent board. Board certification is not required by the Medical Board
for a physician to practice; however, pursuant to Business and Professions Code
section 651, in California physicians may not advertise that they are board certified
unless they have been certified by an ABMS Member Board or an equivalent board recognized
by the Medical Board of California. The Medical Board has approved the following
specialty boards: American Board of Facial and Plastic Reconstructive Surgery; American
Board of Pain Medicine; American Board of Sleep Medicine; and the American Board
of Spine Surgery.
Please use the links below to access the ABMS website and other boards recognized
by the Medical Board of California and learn more about board certification and
whether your doctor is board certified.
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How do I find out if my doctor is licensed or a "real" medical doctor?
You may obtain information about a physician from the Medical Board of California
by calling (916) 263-2382, or by viewing a physician's profile through the
BreEZe Online License Lookup. You also may want to check the
Osteopathic Medical Board's website if you are unable to locate your
physician on our website.
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Has my doctor ever been in any kind of "trouble" or had any complaints filed against
him?
You may check your doctor's profile through the
BreEZe Online License Lookup. Complaints are confidential in California.
However, disciplinary action against a licensee is public.
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How do I find out if my doctor has been, or is, licensed in another state?
You may contact the Federation of State Medical Boards
located in Euless, TX, at the toll-free number 866-275-2267 for further information
about other state medical boards.
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