GME License Fairs
2007-08
at Milberry Conference Center 10 am - 6pm,
Wednesday, October 10th.
& Thursday, November 15th.
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California Medical Licensing Fairs and Tips
Office of Graduate Medical Education
University of California, San Francisco

If you need to have your California Medical License in order to continue training as of July 1, 2008, it’s time to start the process if you haven’t already. To help make the process as simple as possible, the GME Office will again be hosting its annual licensing fairs on October 10 and November 15, 2007 in Millberry Union from 10 to 6 each day. These fairs are an opportunity to obtain notarized signatures, LiveScan fingerprints (by appointment and walk-in), and your photograph all in one place. In addition, representatives from the Medical Board will be on hand to answer questions and collect medical school diplomas (bring your original and an 8½ x 11 copy).

For more information regarding the fairs or if you have general licensing questions,

contact Amy Day, Manager, Resident and Fellow Affairs,
Office of Graduate Medical Education,
daya@medsch.ucsf.edu or (415) 514-0146

• Begin the licensing process at least 6 to 9 months prior to the date you actually need your license.

• To obtain the license application and general information, visit the California Medical Board’s website, http://www.mbc.ca.gov/Index.htm

• Submit the initial licensing application (L1A – L1E) and the processing fee ($493) as soon as you can. This will speed up the processing of your application and documents.

• Complete all documentation clearly, legibly, and accurately.

• Once you have completed your application, send it in immediately. The Board occasionally updates their forms and will not accept old versions of the paperwork.

• Do not use your home address on the application or other licensing forms. The address you use will be posted on the Medical Board website and can be accessed by patients. Use your UCSF work address.

• Do not send all documents to the Medical Board at the same time…submit them as they are ready.

• Have your fingerprints done very early in the process. Any problems with the processing of your fingerprints may delay the issue of your license by several months.

• If you will not be using the UCSF GME Licensing Fair to get your fingerprints done, be sure to stop by the GME Office (MU 250 East ) to pick up the appropriate form prior to obtaining your prints. There is a list of Live Scan locations available on the Medical Board’s website: http://www.mbc.ca.gov/Applicant_Addl_Info.htm

• Your license is valid for two birthdays and expires on the last day of your birth month. The length of the initial license varies from 13 to 24 months depending upon when the license is granted. Obtaining your license during your birth month gives you a full 24 months before renewal.

o Do Not Wait Until Your Birth Month To Send In Your Paperwork. If you want your license issued during your birth month, send in everything, including the final licensing fee. Attach a note to the final check requesting that the Board wait until the appropriate month to issue your license.

• To obtain your USMLE transcripts you may either request them by mail or the web. The cost is the same, but if you request by mail you can ask for a copy to be sent to you as well. If you use the web, copies can only be sent to official licensing entities. However, the paper version must be notarized http://www.fsmb.org/transcripts.html

• Do not request your USMLE transcripts until you have taken and passed Step 3. If you request them before you have passed the exam, the Federation of State Medical Boards will send only what they have on record (Step 1 and Step 2).