Re: About California Letter Application
adonis123 - 10-12-10 13:09



Apply for the PTAL(California letter) thro' the following website:
www.medbd.ca.gov/applicant

It usually takes around 4-6 months to get the one.
Good Luck!

Re: About California Letter Application
docjay - 10-12-10 23:31

can we apply for it with US social security no??

Re: About California Letter Application
docjay - 10-13-10 04:33

my medical school is not listed in approved medical schools by medical board of California. can i still apply for PTAL??

Re: About California Letter Application
adonis123 - 10-13-10 06:33



Ye, u need a social secuity number to apply for PTAL.
Good Luck!

Re: About California Letter Application
docjay - 10-14-10 04:46

my university name is not listed in approved medical schools by califronia.

Re: About California Letter Application
adonis123 - 10-14-10 13:43



Here is the step-by-step process for an IMG for acquiring a PTAL:


The Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter or the PTAL as know as California Letter you need it to start a residency in california. It should be sent to ERAS as part of your application where it will stand instead of one of the 4 LORs you can send to each program. If you couldn't obtain at time of application, then you can send the "status report on the PTAL" generated for you by the Medical Board to use it temporary instead of PTAL.

Before starting my explanation, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to direct it to the Medical Board where they are very welling to help you in any step of the procedure: webmaster@mbc.ca.gov

How to get the PTAL?

Step 1
Go to the applicant section of the Medical Board of California web site http://www.mbc.ca.gov/applicant/additional_info.html , then on the right upper part of the page click on the "Online Licensing Application Payment" button it will take you to "Professional Licensing Login" page where you will be eithe asked to upgrade your browser to be compatible with the application process or will start immediatly applying as a new user where you will creat a username and password. Follow the steps to complete your personal Information and do your payment (493$, non refundable fee), you will need your e mail address, date of birth and Social Security Number (SSN). Wait for the confirmation which you have to print it out for the Medical Board of California. Keep copies of it for your personal records.

Step 2
On the same above mention link there are two options "Live Scan Form" and
"Live Scan Locations", print the first form and fill it (it will generate 3 copies)and go to one of the locations present in the second mentioned link "Live Scan Locations". If you don't live in California, I advice you to take appointment and fly there, or there is another option also mentioned inside the "Live Scan Form" called the fingerprints cards, instructions are also available there.

STEP 3
Now we come to the PTAL application itself, it is forme of forms L1A through L1E. You need to notarize L1E. You will need a recent 2" x 3" photo of your head and shoulders.

After finihing and sending the first 3 steps, the Medical Board of California should contact you in no more than 90 days to inform you that they received your initial application, however you have to finish all the steps to get the PTAL.

STEP 4
Go to the Federation of State Medical Boards home page. Click on Examination Services (on your left) then click on Transcripts. Click "proceed to online form". Follow the instructions and pay $50 dollars. Select California Medical Board. Remember you will only do this step when you already have passed Step 1 and Step 2 (including CK and CS), otherwise you will need to pay again for any pending results.

STEP 5
Documents your medical school has to send:

1.- Form L2

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.

2.- Official Medical school Transcript

An original official medical school transcript must have the following:
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.
This form must be mailed directly from the school.

3.- Certified copy of medical degree

Submitted DIRECTLY from the medical school.
To be acceptable shall contain:
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.
If prepared in language other than English will need to be accompanied by an original, official translation.
This form must be mailed directly from the school.

4.- 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.

NB:If you have done any rotations outside of your main medical college teaching hospital you need to fill out form L6. Otherwise it is not needed. Forms L3 and L4 are not required for the PTAL. They are used when you apply for a Licence to begin your residency.

STEP 6
Sending the PTAL to ECFMG/ERAS as a part of the application for the match, the following is from the ECFMG website:
Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter (PTAL) or 'California Letter'�
If you apply to programs in California, you must submit a Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter (PTAL) issued by the Medical Board of California with your residency applications. The PTAL was known formerly as the California Applicant Status Letter and may also be referred to simply as the 'California Letter.'

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Medical Board of California will require several months to issue the PTAL. You should contact the Medical Board of California for information and apply for the PTAL well in advance of program deadlines.

You must include the PTAL as one of your LoRs in your applications to programs in California. As a result, you can assign up to three LoRs and the PTAL to any program in California. List the letter as one of your LoRs by entering 'California Letter'� instead of a letter writer's name, and checking the box that indicates “This is a California Applicant Status Letter.� Then send to ERAS Support Services a copy of the letter, identified with your AAMC Identification Number and accompanied by a completed DSF.

If you do not yet have your PTAL, you need to let programs in California know that you are working to obtain one. To do this, list the letter as one of your LoRs, as described above, and submit a temporary document, such as the receipt issued by the Medical Board of California or the 'Originals Returned'� letter that accompanied your returned originals, with a completed DSF. When you receive the final PTAL, send a copy to ERAS Support Services at ECFMG with a completed DSF requesting that it replace the temporary document.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please list 'California Letter'� only once in MyERAS. Do not create a second letter entry for your final letter. There should be only one slot designated for the 'California Letter.'�

Obtaining a PTAL ('California Letter'�)

Please contact:

Medical Board of California
2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1200
Sacramento, CA 95815
Tel: (916) 263-2382

Information and application materials are also available by visiting www.medbd.ca.gov or sending e-mail to webmaster@mbc.ca.gov.

How to renew a PTAL:

1. No fees to renew (check for any changes in the CA board website).

2. You need to mail L1A-L1E forms again to CA board after being notarized.

3. PTAL needs to be renewed every year this way until you get the license (early 3rd year). The deadline will be the date PTAL is issued.

4. If you matched this year, send the registration form ASAP to CA board. This form was mailed to you with the PTAL. IF you cannot find it, go to CA board website to download.

5. Always call your agent to ask. There is the number and name of the person's who takes care of your file at the end of the PTAL.

Do renew it even you matched, because you need it to get licensed or apply for fellowship later in CA.



How to get SSN, please follow these two links
http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/
http://www.ssa.gov/ssnvisa/ff_gov_links.htm


Good Luck!

Re: About California Letter Application
docjay - 10-18-10 11:00

can i still apply for PTAL if my university name is mising from approved or disapproved medical schools by califronia board ??

Re: About California Letter Application
adonis123 - 10-19-10 11:51



Ye, in my opinion, u can if u r not from one of the disapproved medical schools on their list.
Dear,international medical schools r required to be enlisted only in the IMED of FAIMER from where the ECFMG ascertains their approved status.

Good Luck!