Physician License Verification in California – The New Letters of Good Standing
If your hospital or medical clinic is considering hiring a surgeon or another type of specialized physician, it’s important to make sure they are qualified. By requesting a physician or surgeon license verification, you can obtain a written verification for the licensee that will be sent to the medical board for review. Formerly known as Letters of Good Standing, license verification lets you know that the physician in question is currently licensed and in good standing with relevant types of credentialing. A more in-depth license verification provides information on any suspensions, restrictions, or revocations against the license and will inform you of any disciplinary action in the candidate’s history.
Who certifies doctors in California?
In California, the authority responsible for certifying and licensing medical doctors is the Medical Board of California (MBC), a division of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. This board ensures that physicians meet the rigorous educational, training, and ethical standards required to practice medicine in the state and deliver non-compliance consequences to organizations in breach of healthcare regulations.
The MBC oversees the evaluation of medical school credentials, postgraduate training, and examination results before issuing a Physician’s and Surgeon’s Certificate. Beyond initial licensure, the board also monitors ongoing physician conduct, investigates complaints, and enforces disciplinary actions when necessary to protect public health and safety.
California Physician Medical License Requirements
But what qualifications are you verifying? The requirements for a California Physician Medical License include:
- Fulfillment of all the requirements for a Doctor of Medicine degree from an accredited medical school
- Completion of one year of postgraduate training for American and Canadian candidates
- Completion of two years of postgraduate training for international candidates in the same specialty and completion of Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification
- A passing score on FLEX, NBME, or USMLE. (Note: The Puerto Rico Medical Revalidation Examination does not satisfy this requirement.)
- Demonstrated evidence of clinical proficiency by meeting at least one of the following requirements:
- Current licensure in another state, territory, or province, and participation in the practice of medicine in another jurisdiction for at least two of the last four years, or
- A passing score on a board-approved clinical competency examination the year prior to filing the application, or
- Completion of a board-approved postgraduate training program within two years preceding the filing of the application, or
- A passing score on a national examination such as FLEX, NBME, or USMLE or current, valid licensure in the U.S. or Canada, and active practice of medicine under current licensure for at least 10 years, successful passing of a state board or Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) examination, and successful passing of the Special Purpose Exam (SPEX), or
- Licensure from a state board exam prior to 1974, and current licensure in at least three other states or provinces in the U.S. or Canada, and active practice of medicine under such licensure for at least 20 years.
How to Apply for License Verification in the State of California
The two ways to request license verification from the State of California are as follows:
1) Contact VeriDoc
This is the fastest way to receive a license verification. When you request a license verification online at VeriDoc and pay the required fee, the state/country medical board will receive the verification by email the next business day after VeriDoc receives the request.
2) Contact the Medical Board of California
This mail-in process takes four to six weeks, as explained below.
5 Steps to Request a License Verification from the Medical Board of California
- Submit a written request for license verification to the Medical Board of California.
- Provide the contact information (phone and email address) of the person requesting the verification.
- Provide the name and California license number of the physician(s) for each request.
- Provide the name and address of each state/country medical board that will be receiving the request.
- Submit a check written to the Medical Board of California in the amount of $10.00 for each request.
All of this information should be sent to the address below.
Licensing Program
Medical Board of California
2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1200
Sacramento, CA 95815
For questions, contact one of the following:
Toll-Free: 800-633-2322
Phone: 916-263-2382
Direct Phone: 916-263-2382
Obtaining a physician license verification is an important step to take to ensure the physicians and surgeons you hire are currently licensed. An in-depth view of all new providers you hire will protect you, your healthcare entity, and the patients you serve.
Physician License Verifications by Verisys
Obtaining a physician license verification is just the beginning. For healthcare organizations, maintaining a high standard of care requires more than a one-time credential check. That’s where healthcare credentialing, license monitoring, and robust provider compliance solutions come into play. These ongoing processes help ensure your medical staff remain in good standing, meet evolving regulatory requirements, and continue to provide safe, qualified care to patients.
By partnering with a trusted solution like Verisys, your organization can implement real-time data verification that supports continuous compliance and mitigates risk. Whether you’re onboarding new hires or managing long-standing providers, a comprehensive credentialing and monitoring system like FACIS® empowers you to protect your practice, your reputation, and—most importantly—your patients.
 |
Written by Verisys Verisys transforms provider data, workforce data, and relationship management. Healthcare, life science, and background screening organizations rely on our comprehensive solutions to discover their true potential. Visit verisys.com to learn how we turn problems into power.
|
