University of California San Francisco

CA Medical Licensure Process

California Postgraduate Training License (PTL)

Following these steps will simplify the licensure process for PGY1 residents when applying for a postgraduate training license (PTL) in California.

  1. Apply for the USMLE Step 3 Exam

  2. You should begin your PTL application alongside your UCSF appointment paperwork. You may register to submit an online application, but do not pay the fee until you officially begin training at UCSF. Payments made to the CA Medical Board are not eligible for reimbursement until after you start employment.

    Forms included in PTL application: 

    • Form L1A-E: do not use your home address as the "public address" because this is what will be published on the CA medical board website. You should use your residency program address: 

      UC San Francisco
      513 Parnassus Avenue, S321
      Work phone: 415-476-1239
      Work fax: 415-502-1259

    • Form MED: Certification of Medical Education

      Complete the applicant information section on form MED and send to your medical school Registrar for completion, along with a request for an original copy of your medical school transcript and certified copy of your diploma. All three documents must be sent directly to the Medical Board electronically via the DOCS portal.

    • Form EBAHR: this requests your USMLE transcript be sent to the Medical Board
    • Form PTA-PTB (if applicable): Certificate of Completion of ACGME Post Graduate Training Form*
    • Form EF: Certificate of Current Postgraduate Training Enrollment (completed by current program)*
      *Forms PGTA-PTB and EF are processed by the Surgery Education Office and submitted directly to the Medical Board via the DOCS portal
  3. Fingerprinting: Live Scan (CA only) - bring a copy of the Request for Live Scan Service form and complete the livescan fingerprinting process at one of the following locations
  4. After June 1st, you should submit your payment to the Medical Board of California electronically. It is your responsibility to keep track of your licensing status. Is is the Department recommendation to start checking your status weekly beginning in mid-July to check if there are missing documents in your application. 
  5. Once you submit your online application and submit your payment, it can take 6-8 weeks for license processing. To verify your license activation, please go to the CMB website to see if your name appears in the doc finder database. Physician licenses are posted within 48 hours of approval. Email [email protected] once your license has been approved so the Department can update all databases.
  6. After you have received your full medical license, you will need to apply for a DEA license online and update your NPI (National Provider Identifier).

 

DEA Application Instructions

  1. Start a new DEA application online, Select "Form 224" and Business Activity "Practitioner" then select "Next"
  2. Indicate your HOME DEPARTMENT as the business contact (this is where your renewal notices are sent).  For General Surgery use: UC, San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue, S321, San Francisco, CA.  94143-0470, work phone: 415-476-1239.  Select "Next"
  3. In Personal Information input your SS# and check box marked for "CERTIFICATION FOR FEE EXEMPTION - Government Only".  Select "Next"
  4. Input "UC, San Francisco" as Fee Exempt Institution. Input Rachelle Bresnahan as the Certifying Official. Select "Next"
  5. Check all boxes under "Schedules". Leave "need script forms" box BLANK. Select "Next"
  6. Fill in the State License information and select "Next"
  7. Fill in all Background Information as appropriate and select "Next"
  8. Read and verify all information as correct and select "Submit Application"
  9. Provide license and DEA numbers to the Education Office. 

 

DEA Renewal Instructions

Please remember to note that when renewing your DEA: In order to avoid paying the renewal fee, please make sure you select Certification for Fee Exemption and input UC, San Francisco as the fee exempt institution in your renewal application. Enter Rachelle Bresnahan as the certifying official. DEA fees are not reimbursed by the department. A fee-exempt DEA allows you to prescribe only as a UCSF trainee. 

 

NPI Application Instructions

Please refer to the handout in your UCMe instructions for more information. 

Practice Location:
513 Parnassus Ave, Rm S321
San Francisco, CA  94143-0470

Provider Taxonomy:
390200000X - STUDENT IN AN ORGANIZED HEALTH CARE EDUCATION/TRAINING PROGRAM 

Please ensure your email address is correct, as your NPI number will be sent directly to you via email. Once your receive the NPI confirmation, please email it immediately to [email protected]. 

Reimbursements

UCSF GME has a partial reimbursement program for USMLE Step 3 and state licensing fees (new and renewals). The amount of reimbursement is approved annually by GME. Reimbursement requests must be submitted through Resident Reimbursement Request Form. Please be sure to include a copy of your receipt and proof of payment (i.e. credit card statement, bank statement, cancelled check). No reimbursement program is in place for DEA (new and renewals) licensing fees, since UC is a fee exempt government institution. If you have additional questions about your eligibility for reimbursement or other questions about the process, please contact [email protected].