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Taking the USMLE Step 3 and obtaining your California Medical License
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NOTE: THIS SITE IS ONLY FOR UCSF MEDICAL INTERNS AND RESIDENTS
Take home points: IMPORTANT: If you don't have time to read all of this right now, please note the following take home points: TAKE STEP 3 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! APPLY FOR IT NOW! NO MATTER HOW FAR ALONG YOU ARE IN RESIDENCY, APPLY FOR IT AND TAKE IT NOW! GET FINGERPRINTED NOW! NO MATTER HOW FAR ALONG YOU ARE IN RESIDENCY, GET FINGERPRINTED NOW—IT'S REALLY EASY!! YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO START YOUR THIRD YEAR OF RESIDENCY AND YOU WON'T GET PAID IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LICENSE BY JULY 1ST OF YOUR THIRD YEAR OF RESIDENCY (e.g. JULY 1, 2004 IF YOU ARE AN R2 NOW). Introduction: Taking the USMLE Step 3 and obtaining your California Medical License is a time-consuming, formidable task that can be very confusing. In order to help you take Step 3 and obtain your medical license in a timely fashion, I have tried to consolidate all information and tips on this website. Believe it or not, although the powers that be make this whole process seem complex and difficult, it is really pretty easy. Key point #1: YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO START YOUR THIRD YEAR OF RESIDENCY AND YOU WON'T GET PAID IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LICENSE BY JULY 1, 2004. (OR JULY 1, 2005 IF YOU ARE AN INTERN). Key point #2: THE RATE-LIMITING STEP IN THIS PROCESS IS TAKING USMLE STEP 3 SO TAKE IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Key point #3: IT IS MUCH EASIER TO TAKE STEP 3 WHEN YOU ARE AN INTERN BECAUSE YOUR RESIDENT CAN COVER FOR YOU. IT IS MUCH HARDER TO TAKE STEP 3 AS A RESIDENT. (so take it as soon as possible). Key point #4: STEP 3 IS RIDICULOUSLY EASY. DON'T DELAY TAKING STEP 3 BECAUSE YOU ARE AFRAID OF TAKING IT. Steps for applying for and taking the USMLE Step 3 1. Applying for this test takes time and energy 2. Click here to download the application form. 3. Click here for instructions on how to apply for Step 3 (print this page for your references) 4. You must apply by September 2, 2002 to take Step 3 in 2002 5. Photocopy your medical diploma 6. Take your original diploma, your photocopied diploma, and your completed Step 3 application to one of the following places in order to get your passport-sized pictures and your application notarized: Mail Boxes Etc. on Irving between 11th and 12th Once you have completed the form, gotten your pictures, and have everything notarized, send all of your materials to the FSMB.
Once you have completed the form, gotten your pictures, and have everything notarized, send all of your materials to the FSMB.
In approximately 6 weeks, you will receive your permit for the USMLE Step 3. You need to call Sylvan Prometric to schedule a time to take your test. You should
call as early as possible to guarantee that you'll get the date and location that you want (so you don't have to drive to L.A. at the last minute to take the test).
As far as studying for the test, the only thing you need to do is download the practice materials and install them on your computer so that you are familiar with the
test format.
Get fingerprinted now! First, obtain a Live Scan form from your local chief resident. You can also get the Live Scan form at the GME office or by requesting it from the California State Medical Board.
Second, find out where the most convenient Live Scan is for you. This can be found here.
For most folks in San Francisco, the Hall of Justice will be the most convenient choice. Their hours are 10 AM-11 PM (convenient for
residents) on M-F and they charge $14.00 for the fingerprinting fee. They are located on 850 Bryant in Room 475. Street parking is pretty easy in this area.
Before going there, call Sylvan Identix (yes, the same company who made lots of money off
you on Step 3) at 1-800-315-4507 and tell them which site you want and when. They will set up an
appointment for you. You can also pay for the service by credit card at this time.
Once you have your appointment set up, show up at the designated time
and place with your fingerprinting form. You should fill out your
sections of the form ahead of time. Come with a blank check just in case they didn't get your
credit card info. They will tell you who to make it out to and for how much (should be made out to
Hall of Justice and for $14.00. They will call your name and do the fingerprinting at that time.
They will also automatically send your prints to the appropriate government agencies AND tell you if the
prints will be satisfactory right then and there so that you don't have to worry about having your prints
rejected (with its accompanying repeat time and money waste).
They will give you one of the copies of the Live Scan form to send with
your remaining application materials to the medical board as proof of
fingerprinting. Send this with your other stuff and you're done with the
prints!
When to apply for your license The bottom line: it's most important to just get your license.
If you are worried that you won't get your license in time, just apply and don't worry about
when to apply. If you have some time on your hands (and hopefully you're starting early)
then you should apply with the following in mind:
Your license will expire at the end of the month during your second birthday after you get your license.
For example, if your birthday is February 12, 1970 and you get your license on March 1, 2003, your license will
expire on February 28, 2005. Your license lasted exactly 2 years. If you get your license on December 1, 2002,
your license will expire on February 29, 2004. Your license only lasted 15 months!
In other words, it makes the most sense to get your license during or just after your birth month so that it will
last a full two (2) years. This means that the best time to apply is approximately three (3) months before
your birth month in order to get your license at just the right time.
Confused??!! So was I during this whole process. That's why I think it's just easier to simply apply for your license
as soon as possible.
Applying for your license 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
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.
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...)
Getting your USMLE transcripts First download and fill out the Examination and
Board Action History Report (EBAHR).
Click here for directions on filling out this form. This form needs to be notarized as well, so make sure
you get it notarized with all of your other stuff.
Now you're really almost done. Just a few last steps...
Getting your DEA number Click here to access the
DEA website. You'll need Adobe Acrobat 4.05 or higher to fill out the interactive PDF form.
Follow these steps:
1. Click on "interactive form"
Once you've filled out the form, do not mail it to the Washington D.C. office! Mail it to the local DEA
Office:
DEA - San Francisco Field Division
Getting a refund Well, that's about all the advice I have for you. Remember that your best resource for advice and tips are your fellow
residents, so just ask.
Also, if you have any suggestions, questions, or comments that would be useful for this site,
send me an e-mail.
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