Examinations - Medicine - Business & Professions - CA

Section § 2170

In California, anyone who wants to become a licensed doctor must take a specific exam, unless there's another rule that says they don't have to. This rule about exams applies to all tests given by the licensing board, unless there's a specific exception.

(a) All applicants for a physician’s and surgeon’s certificate shall take the examination provided for in this article unless provisions of this chapter otherwise provide.

(b) The provisions of this article shall apply to all examinations administered by the Division of Licensing unless provisions of this chapter otherwise provide.

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Section § 2171

This law states that all medical exams are intended to determine if the applicant is qualified to practice medicine, and these exams are usually written unless stated otherwise.

All examinations shall be designed to ascertain the applicant’s fitness to practice medicine. Unless otherwise provided the examination shall be in writing.

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Section § 2175

This section states that the board will keep examination records until June 1, 2070. During the exam process, examinees will be identified by a number, not by name. The connection between a number and a person's name will remain confidential until the exam results are sent out.

State examination records shall be kept on file by the board until June 1, 2070. Examinees shall be known and designated by number only, and the name attached to the number shall be kept secret until the examinee is sent notification of the results of the examinations.

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Section § 2176

This law section explains that the Division of Licensing is responsible for conducting exams for those seeking a physician's and surgeon's certificate. They can use a standard testing process and work with other organizations to get the test materials they need. They also have the freedom to recognize and accept other written exams as equivalent to their own if they choose.

Examinations for a physician’s and surgeon’s certificate may be conducted by the Division of Licensing under a uniform examination system, and for that purpose the division may make such arrangements with organizations furnishing examination material as it may deem desirable.

The Division of Licensing may, in its discretion, designate other written examinations for a physician’s and surgeon’s certificate that the division determines are equivalent to any other written examination for a physician’s and surgeon’s certificate conducted by the division.

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Section § 2177

To become a licensed doctor in California, you need to pass all parts of the medical licensing exams as decided by the board. You can take each part separately. Specifically, you must pass Step 3 of the US Medical Licensing Exam within four tries. However, if it takes you more than four tries but you meet certain other requirements, you might still qualify for a license.

(a) A passing score is required for an entire examination or for each part of an examination, as established by resolution of the board.

(b) Applicants may elect to take the written examinations conducted or accepted by the board in separate parts.

(c)

(1) An applicant shall have obtained a passing score on all parts of Step 3 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination within not more than four attempts in order to be eligible for a physician’s and surgeon’s certificate.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an applicant who obtains a passing score on all parts of Step 3 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination in more than four attempts and who meets the requirements of Section 2135 or 2135.5 shall be eligible to be considered for issuance of a physician’s and surgeon’s certificate.

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Section § 2179

This law requires that the medical licensing exam for physicians and surgeons in California includes nutrition as a topic.

The Division of Licensing shall insure that nutrition is included on the examination for a certificate as a physician and surgeon.

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Section § 2183

If you want to become a licensed doctor in California, you must pass a national medical exam that tests your knowledge in both biomedical and clinical sciences, including care for older adults. Additionally, if you are applying for your license on or after January 1, 2004, you need to have taken classes on geriatric medicine either during your time in medical school or during your training after medical school.

An applicant for a physician’s and surgeon’s certificate shall pass the national examination for medical licensure in biomedical sciences and clinical sciences, including geriatric medicine, determined by the Division of Licensing to be essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine.

An applicant who applies for a physician’s and surgeon’s certificate on or after January 1, 2004, shall have completed coursework in geriatric medicine in medical school or in postgraduate medical education training.

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Section § 2184

This law mandates that to be licensed in California, medical applicants must achieve a passing score on the written exam set by the board. Exam scores from the United States Medical Licensing Examination are valid for 10 years for license qualification. The board can extend this validity for reasons like good cause, time spent in further medical training, or if the applicant is an actively practicing physician in another state or Canadian province. After the validity period and any extensions, applicants must pass a special or equivalent competency exam to qualify.

(a) Each applicant shall obtain on the written examination a passing score, established by the board pursuant to Section 2177.

(b)

(1) Passing scores on each step of the United States Medical Licensing Examination shall be valid for a period of 10 years from the month of the examination for purposes of qualification for licensure in California.

(2) The period of validity provided for in paragraph (1) may be extended by the board for any of the following:

(A) For good cause.

(B) For time spent in a postgraduate training program, including, but not limited to, residency training, clinical training, fellowship training, remedial or refresher training, or other training that is intended to maintain or improve medical skills.

(C) For an applicant who is a physician and surgeon in another state or a Canadian province who is currently and actively practicing medicine in that state or province.

(3) Upon expiration of the 10-year period plus any extension granted by the board under paragraph (2), the applicant shall pass the Special Purpose Examination of the Federation of State Medical Boards or a clinical competency written examination determined by the board to be equivalent.

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Section § 2186

If you've passed the National Board of Medical Examiners' exams and meet certain criteria, you don't have to take the written exam again in California.

An applicant who is a diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners shall not be required to take the written examination prescribed by this article, provided such applicant meets the requirements of Section 2151.

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