California Medical License & Medical Board of California Help
We prepare and shepherd Medical Board of California (MBC) and Osteopathic Medical Board of California (OMBC) applications for MDs, DOs, PAs, and allied health — plus credentialing, CAQH, and clinic licensing statewide.
Getting a CA medical license without the back-and-forth
The Medical Board of California reviews the full training history of every applicant, including each postgraduate year, every hospital affiliation, and any gap longer than 30 days. Incomplete training documentation — not eligibility — is the single most common reason a California file sits.
We build the California packet in the order the Board reads it: application first, then certification of postgraduate training from each program, then medical school transcripts and, where applicable, ECFMG. Files we prepare arrive complete, which is what keeps them out of the deficiency queue.
California medical license services we handle
New MBC application
Physician and surgeon initial licensure with full packet preparation and Board follow-up through issuance.
Osteopathic (OMBC) licensure
DO applications through the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, including out-of-state endorsement paths.
License renewals
Biennial renewals, CME reconciliation, delinquent renewals, and reinstatement of expired California licenses.
PA & allied health
Physician Assistant Board, nursing, and allied-health licensure under the Department of Consumer Affairs.
Credentialing & CAQH
CAQH profile build, Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payer enrollment once the license is issued.
Facility licensing
CDPH and county clinic, MedSpa, home health, and ancillary facility licensing support.
CA medical license requirements at a glance
- Degree from an LCME-accredited (MD) or AOA-accredited (DO) school
- USMLE or COMLEX — all three steps, within the Board's recognized window
- Postgraduate training certified directly by each program (additional years required for IMGs)
- Medical school transcripts sent primary-source; ECFMG certification for international graduates
- Fingerprint-based criminal background check through Live Scan
- Full disclosure of malpractice, discipline, and license history in every state
- Continuing medical education as required for each renewal cycle
Fees and timeline
Board fees and timelines change. Always confirm current amounts on the board's official fee schedule. Our service fee is separate and covers preparation, verification coordination, and board follow-up.
California board lookup & license verification
Who regulates what in California, and where to verify a license. Filing with the wrong board — or verifying against the wrong registry — is one of the most common and most expensive mistakes in state licensure.
Medical Board of California (MBC)
Physicians and surgeons (MD), licensed midwives, research psychoanalysts, and polysomnographic technologists.
MBC license lookupOsteopathic Medical Board of California (OMBC)
Osteopathic physicians and surgeons (DO) licensed in California.
OMBC license lookupPhysician Assistant Board (PAB)
Physician assistants practicing under California practice agreements.
PA Board license lookupInterstate Medical Licensure Compact — California
California is not a member of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. Physicians licensed elsewhere must file a full California application — there is no compact shortcut into this state.
Ready to start your California medical license application?
We serve clinicians across Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, Fresno, and statewide. All intake is remote — book a call and we'll get your file moving today.
CA medical license FAQ
How long does a California medical license take?
The Medical Board of California generally reviews a complete physician and surgeon file in roughly 60 to 120 days. The clock effectively starts when the last verification arrives, not when you submit — which is why we front-load training certifications and transcripts before filing.
What is the Medical Board of California responsible for?
The MBC licenses and disciplines physicians and surgeons (MD) in California, along with midwives, research psychoanalysts, and polysomnographic technologists. DOs are licensed separately by the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, and PAs by the Physician Assistant Board.
Does California accept the IMLC?
No. California has not joined the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. Even physicians in good standing in a compact state must complete the standard California application, including full training verification.
Does California require FCVS?
California does not run its licensure on FCVS the way some states do; the Board requires certification directly from each postgraduate training program and primary-source medical school transcripts. We coordinate those directly with the programs and schools.
Can you renew or reinstate an expired California license?
Yes. We handle biennial renewals, delinquent renewals, and reinstatement of expired or cancelled licenses. Reinstatement takes longer than a renewal, so start as early as possible.
Do you serve all of California?
Yes — Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, Fresno, Long Beach, Oakland, and statewide. All intake is remote.
Where is the California medical board located and how do I contact it?
Medical Board of California — 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA 95815. Phone (800) 633-2322. We are not the board; we prepare and track the file that goes to it.
How do I look up or verify a California medical license?
Use the board's public license verification search at the Department of Consumer Affairs license search (https://search.dca.ca.gov/). Verification through the official registry is the only record employers, payers, and hospitals accept.
What does the California board not handle?
Osteopathic physicians are licensed by the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, physician assistants by the Physician Assistant Board, nurses and nurse practitioners by the Board of Registered Nursing, and healthcare facilities by CDPH and county health departments.
Does the California board handle complaints and discipline?
Yes. The Medical Board of California investigates complaints against physicians and takes disciplinary action, and board actions appear on the public license record. Any prior action must be disclosed and reconciled in a later application — we prepare that disclosure record, we do not represent anyone before the board.
The California medical board, explained
People search for the “California state medical board,” the “medical board of California,” and “MBC” interchangeably. They are the same agency: the Medical Board of California, a board within the Department of Consumer Affairs, mailing address 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA 95815.
MBC does three things that matter to a practitioner: it licenses, it renews, and it disciplines. Osteopathic physicians are licensed by a separate board, and physician assistants by a third — filing with the wrong one is the most common reason a California file goes nowhere for weeks.
PF Consulting Firm is an independent consulting firm. We are not the board, not affiliated with the State of California, and we cannot approve, expedite, or guarantee a license. What we control is the completeness and sequencing of your file before it reaches the board.
Who the board licenses
Physicians and surgeons (MD), licensed midwives, research psychoanalysts, and polysomnographic technologists.
Who the board does not license
Osteopathic physicians (Osteopathic Medical Board of California), physician assistants (Physician Assistant Board), registered nurses and nurse practitioners (Board of Registered Nursing), pharmacists and pharmacies (Board of Pharmacy), and healthcare facilities (CDPH and county health departments).
Board contact
Medical Board of California — 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA 95815. (800) 633-2322. Public license verification: search.dca.ca.gov.
Other PF Consulting Firm services
Licensing is one division. Practitioners and business owners who come to us for California licensing also use these teams.
Document support for individuals and small businesses across our service states.
Court-ready document preparation for self-represented filers.
Attorney-directed and self-represented document support, research, and case organization.
Mobile notary, loan signing, and apostille handling.
Business financial organization, bookkeeping structure, and funding readiness.
Credit reporting education and dispute-process guidance.