The first step is to fill out the online application form conveniently supplied by the Medical Board of California. You will have to create a username and password and also supply your e-mail address. I suggest filling everything out and also paying for your license at this time (it's just easier this way). The cost is quite high ($815.00!!).

Unfortunately, not all of your application can be done online. I think the real advantage to applying online is expediting your licensing process by typing all of your information for them and paying by credit card. You actually end up re-writing a lot of the application that you filled out online. Click here to access the California Medical Board page for applicants. From here you can click on "U.S./Canadian Medical School Graduate Applicants" and access all of the necessary forms as PDF files.

You'll need to fill out the following forms which I've conveniently supplied below:

Form L1A-L1D: Since you already filled out the online application, the most important part of this form is Form L1D. You'll need to go to either Mail Boxes Etc. or Star Photo again to get your passport photo and your form notarized.

Form L2: This form goes to your medical school. Fill it out completely and then send it to your medical school registrar along with a photocopy of your medical school diploma. Also attach a letter to your registrar letting them know that they need to do the following:

1. Fill out the form
2. Put their official seal on the form
3. Put their official seal on the copy of your diploma
4. Attach your transcript
5. Send it back to you (in a sealed envelope) or directly to the Medical Board of California.

I would suggest doing this as early as possible because it takes a while for your medical school to get all of this together. I also found it helpful to call the medical school Registrar's Office to go over everything with them so that they get it right.

Form L3A: This form goes to your Program Director (e.g. Jeanie Murakawa in Harry Hollander's office). Fill it out completely and then drop it off to your Program Director's office. They will fill out and sign the appropriate parts and then send it to the GME office and then send it back to your Program Director's office who should then notify you that it is ready. Anticipate at least 1 week for this process.

Form L4: This form gets you the reduced fee. Yes, the $815.00 that you dished out above is actually the reduced fee. Fill it out completely and give it to your Program Director's office. Once it is filled out and signed, get it back so that you can send it with the rest of your stuff.

Please note the following:

1. You don't have to get your undergraduate transcript even though the forms might say so.
2. You should not send in your actual diploma to the Medical Board. The photocopied diploma that your medical school notarized is just fine.

Once you have done all of the above, compile all of your application forms. Photocopy all of your stuff in case it gets lost in the mail. Then, put all of it in an envelope along with a letter to the Medical Board telling them who you are, your e-mail address and phone number, and your social security number. Also let them know how much you appreciate all of their work and they they can contact you at any time with questions, etc, etc. (Anything to help expedite the process).

Send everything off by some type of certified mail and you're done!! (Well almost...)

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