PTAL Step by Step Application Guideline

Victor Castilla M.D. December, 2008

The Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter (PTAL) or California Letter is a document that allows International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to start their training in a residency program in California. IMGs must have this document to be eligible for a residency position in California.

Where to Start ?

Check that your Medical School is recognized by the Medical Board of California . ( click on the image)

If your medical school appears on the International Medical Education Directory (IMED), it does not mean that your school is recognized by the Medical Board of California.

Example:

Peruvian medical schools on IMED: 30

Peruvian medical schools recognized by the Medical Board of California: 7

I.- Documents you have to send:

II.- Documents the Federation of State Medical Boards has to send:

III.- Documents your medical school has to send:

Online application and payment

Fingerprints and Live Scan

PTAL Application Forms L1A - L1E

Official Examination Scores

Form L2

Official Medical school Transcript

Certified copy of medical degree

Form L5

Form L6 (if applicable)

Let’s start! Documents you have to send to the Medical Board of California

Form L2

Form L5

Go to the Medical Board of California web site (click on the image)

Click Online Licensing Application Payment button

Click the get started button sign and you will be re directed to a new page.

Click the first time users and start your online application.

Create a user ID and Password.

Follow the steps to complete your personal Information. For this you will need your e mail address, date of birth and Social Security Number (SSN).

Follow the instructions and complete your payment of $ 505.00.

Wait for the confirmation and PRINT IT TWICE. One for your personal records and another one for the Medical Board of California.

Go to the Medical Board of California web site

Click here

Social Security Number

One is done Let’s continue! Documents you have to send to the Medical Board of California

I .- Documents you have to send:

Form L2

Form L5

Download the Live Scan fingerprints format.

Complete this format and follow the instructions on it.

Search for one of the many Live Scan agencies.

Make your appointment or walk-in and complete the process.

One of the 3 copies will be take by the operator, the second copy is for your personal records and the third one is for the Medical Board of California.

Click here

Two are done keep going! Documents you have to send to the Medical Board of California

Form L2

Form L5

Go to the Medical Board of California web site.

Download the Application for the California Letter (PTAL).

Complete the forms L1A through L1E.

These forms will ask you for basic Information. You can complete it either by typewriting machine or by hand writing.

Complete L1A to L1E. You need to notarize L1E. You will need a recent 2" x 3" photo of your head and shoulders too.

Click Here

Notary Photo

Now YOU have to send these Documents to the Medical Board of California The Medical Board of California 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1200 Sacramento, CA 95815

NEXT! Documents the Federation of State Medical Boards has to send to the Medical Board of California

Form L2

Form L5

Go to the Federation of State Medical Boards home page.

Click on Examination Services, then click on Transcripts .

You can select from online versus paper documents. I suggest online (always faster and green).

Click "proceed to online form".

Follow the instructions and pay $50 dollars.

Select California Medical Board.

You can choose to send your score to other State Medical boards if you are completing their licensing process.

Click here 1 2

Click here

The Federation of State Medical Boards will send your examination scores to the Medical Board of California The Medical Board of California 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1200 Sacramento, CA 95815

Note:

Remember you will only do this step when you have already passed Step 1 and Step 2 (including CK and CS). Otherwise you will need to pay it again for any pending results.

You do not need USMLE Step 3 to complete this part.

Next! Documents your medical school has to send to the Medical Board of California

Form L2

Form L5

Complete your personal data (name, SSN, DOB) at the top of the form.

Submit this form to your medical school for completion of all the information.

The medical school official must affix his/her original signature and the seal of the medical school.

This form must be mailed directly from the school.

Medical school Seal Medical school official signature

One is Done! Keep working Documents your medical school has to send to Medical Board of California

Form L2

Form L5

Prepared on university letterhead.

Affixed with the signature of the dean/registrar.

The medical school seal.

Document all of the basic science and clinical courses completed during the medical curriculum.

A transcript will need to be provided directly from each institution of attendance and submitted directly to the Medical Board of California.

If prepared in language other than English will need to be accompanied by an original, official translation.

Two are Done! Keep working Documents your medical school has to send to Medical Board of California

Form L2

Form L5

A statement on the reverse side of the copy indicating that it is a true copy of the original degree.

An original signature of the dean or registrar immediately following the statement verifying authenticity of the copy.

An official medical school seal affixed to the copy.

Almost Done! Don’t give up! Documents your medical school has to send to Medical Board of California

Form L2

Form L5

You have to submit the Form L5 to your medical school for completion of all the information.

You may print or copy as many L5 forms as necessary to provide a complete breakdown of your undergraduate clinical training.

Include each and all clinical clerkships.

Your medical school official must affix his/her original signature and the seal of the medical school.

Your medical School has to send the forms back to the Medical Board of California.

Clerkships

Seal of Medical School Medical school official signature

Finally! Documents your medical school has to send to Medical Board of California

Form L2

Form L5

The form L6 is required of International Medical School Graduates who completed any clinical clerkships outside of the primary teaching hospital of their medical school.

For your information, only undergraduate clinical clerkships meeting the criteria specified in Section 2089.5 of the Business and Professions Code will be used to satisfy the required seventy-two (72) weeks of clinical clerkships.

Your Medical School has to send DIRECTLY these Documents to the Medical Board of California The Medical Board of California 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1200 Sacramento, CA 95815

Summary The Medical Board of California 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1200 Sacramento, CA 95815

Conclusion:

“ Do not set the PTAL application as a complication, a barrier, a hardship… see it as an opportunity to demonstrate how determined you are to become a doctor in California. You will succeed even with all these documents, forms, and applications. Success and ánimo! Sí se puede!!!”