Postgraduate Training Licensees

A Postgraduate Training License (PTL) is issued to residents who are enrolled in a California ACGME-accredited postgraduate training program. The resident may engage in the practice of medicine only in connection with their duties as a resident in the approved training program, including its affiliated sites, or under those conditions as are approved in writing by the director of their program.

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Applying for a Postgraduate Training License (PTL)

An applicant may apply for a PTL if they have graduated from a Board-approved medical school (Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 2084), passed all required examinations, enrolled in a California ACGME-accredited residency program, and have not received either 12-months credit (U.S. or Canadian medical school graduates) or 24-months credit (international medical school graduates) of Board-approved postgraduate training.

A PTL is valid for 12 months for U.S. or Canadian medical school graduates or 24 months for international medical school graduates only while enrolled in a California ACGME-accredited postgraduate training program. The PTL is not renewable. A PTL must be obtained within 180 days from the start of enrollment in a postgraduate training program in California, otherwise, the resident must cease all clinical service at that time until a PTL has been issued by the Board.

The Board may issue a PTL for up to 90 days after a resident has received credit for either 12 or 24 months of Board-approved postgraduate training and continues enrollment in a California ACGME-accredited postgraduate training program. If a Physician’s and Surgeon’s License is not obtained by the PTL expiration date, the physician must cease all clinical services in California.

The program director may request an extension of the PTL due to a resident’s status change. The program director is required to submit a Program Status Update/Change Form, Forms PSU1-PSU2, to the Board within 30 days of any status change. Changes that may affect the PTL expiration date include, but are not limited to, probation, remediation, leave of absence, transfers, resignation, or termination prior to the program’s anticipated end date.

Expedited and Priority Review

The Board may give your application for a PTL priority or expedited review if you:

  • Have served as an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces and were honorably discharged;
  • Are going to provide abortions within the scope of practice of your medical license;
  • Are a spouse of, domestic partner of, or in another legal union with, an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces who is assigned to a duty station in California under official active-duty military orders;
  • Were admitted to the United States as a Refugee, granted asylum, or have a Special Immigrant Visa Status.

You must submit the required documentation with your application to receive priority review. Please review additional requirements and required supporting documents on the Priority Review and Expedited Application Process.

Transition to a Physician's and Surgeon's License

A PTL holder who receives either 12 months (U.S. and Canadian medical school graduates) or 24 months (international medical school graduates) credit of Board-approved postgraduate training with at least four months of general medicine training, may apply for a Physician’s and Surgeon’s License through the transition process.

To allow sufficient time for processing and remediating deficiencies, the Board strongly encourages you to submit your online Application to Transition from a Postgraduate Training License to a Physician’s and Surgeon’s License, utilizing BreEZe Online Services, six months prior to receiving 12/24 months of credit from a Board-approved postgraduate training program.

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How to Apply for a Postgraduate Training License

Third Party Services

You may use electronic commercial services to assist in completing your application for licensure. The Board does not mandate any of the electronic services. For additional information, visit the Third Party Services webpage. The Board is providing this information as a convenience to you.

To allow sufficient time for processing and remediating deficiencies, the Board strongly encourages you to submit your online Application for a Postgraduate Training License, utilizing BreEZe Online Services, once you receive final confirmation of enrollment in a California Board-approved postgraduate training program.

Apply Online

Wallet Card and Wall Certificate: Once your P&S License is issued, you may generate and immediately print your own wallet license using the Board's Wallet License Generator. A wallet license will not be mailed to you. The Board will mail your wall certificate to your address of record within two to four weeks.

Note: Do not complete this application packet if you are applying for licensure as an osteopathic physician and surgeon. Please contact the Osteopathic Medical Board of California at (916) 928-8390 for an application and further information.