Medical Board of California (2024)

FAQs

How hard is it to pass the medical board exam? ›

The internal medicine board exam is pass/fail based on your entire test performance. Over the past two years, the ABIM pass rate for first-time test takers has fallen from 93% to 88%.

Around 300 physicians apply for a California Medical License each month, making California one of the most popular states for physicians. Depending on your credentials and practice history, expect the process to take between 3-6 months.

Unprofessional conduct (breach of confidence, record alteration, filing fraudulent insurance claims, misleading advertising, arrest or conviction) Office practice issues (failure to provide medical records to a patient, failure to sign a death certificate, patient abandonment.)

In 2022, the overall pass rate was 88.9%, but the pass rate for first time test takers from a US residency was 98.2%. The pass rate for repeat US test takers was 70.8%, and the pass rate for international repeats was 42.1%. Aha. You don't have to average in a lot of 42%'s to bring the average down significantly.

Application Fee: $674, payable online via BreEZe. PTL Enrollment Form - Submitted by the GME Office. Certified Medical School Transcript - Request from medical school post-application submission. E-transcripts are acceptable if sent directly to [email protected].

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, and will be enrolling or are enrolled in a California ACGME-accredited residency program.

Only residents who hold a Post-graduate Training License (PTL) or a permanent license to practice medicine in the State of California, and have completed at least 12 months of post-graduate training are permitted to moonlight. Residents must not be required to engage in moonlighting.

Can doctors date their patients in California? ›

In fact, dating current patients is strictly prohibited by both the American Medical Association (AMA) Code of Medical Ethics and the Medical Board of California as it constitutes unethical, unprofessional conduct that exploits the physician-patient relationship.

Seven (7) years between when the act or omission alleged as the ground for disciplinary action occurred and when an Accusation to take disciplinary action is filed. Please note: the deadline for the statute of limitations is when the Board files an Accusation.

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) takes the top spot as the most challenging exam in the US, with an average preparation time ranging from 200 to 400 hours for each of its three steps.

The board exams

The board exams to become a certified medical doctor are universally regarded as one of the most difficult parts of medical school. The first exam, the USMLE Step 1, is one of the hardest. Luckily, your knowledge of basic medical science will be about as good as it's ever going to be at this point.

No matter which step you are preparing for, the USMLE exams are challenging. It is important to plan your study schedule, start early, and do lots of practice questions and exams. If you are struggling with any aspect of your preparation, a tutor can help get you on track to succeed.

The MCAT is considered one of the toughest grad school entrance exams in the US. It tests biology, physics, and critical thinking, so prep and sharp thinking are crucial. With dedicated study and practice, many students achieve the scores needed for med school.