1. Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter (PTAL)
Step by Step Guide

2. Application information
for a postgraduate training authorization letter (PTAL)
A PTAL allows you to seek and commence ACGME accredited training in California
To be eligible for a PTAL, applicants must have received all of their medical school education from and graduated from a medical school recognized or approved by the Medical Board of California (Board)
Some recognized medical schools that teach in their native language are opening English language medical school programs. The English language programs are not recognized unless specifically stated by the Board
The Medical School’s name must exactly match the name on the Board’s list of recognized medical schools.
Refer to the Board’s website to verify your medical school is recognized:

3. Application Checklist
PTAL
Application Checklist
1) Application, fees and fingerprints
Application fee $491
Application for Physician’s and Surgeon’s License, Forms L1A-L1F
Fingerprints: Live Scan Form
2) Examination Documentation
ECFMG Certification Status Report
Official Examination Scores from the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB)

4. Application Checklist
PTAL
Application Checklist
3) Medical Education Documentation
Certificate of Medical Education, Form L2
Official Medical School Transcript
Certified Copy of Medical School Diploma
Certified English Translations (if applicable)
Certificate of Clinical Training, Form L5
Certificate of Individual Clinical Clerkship Training, Form L6 (if applicable)
4) Other Items
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Timeline of Activities

5. 1) Application, fees and fingerprints

6. SAMPLE APPLICATION FEE
PTAL
PTAL
Application Fee
SAMPLE APPLICATION FEE
491.00
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

7. All six forms must be submitted together
PTAL
Application for physician’s and surgeon’s license, Forms L1A-L1F ✓ ✓
SAMPLE L1A
Complete all fields, answer all questions and have the application notarized
All six forms must be submitted together
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

8. All six forms must be submitted together
PTAL
PTAL
Application for physician’s and surgeon’s license, Forms L1A-L1F ✓ ✓
SAMPLE L1A
Complete all fields, answer all questions and have the application notarized
All six forms must be submitted together
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

9. All six forms must be submitted together
PTAL
PTAL
Application for physician’s and surgeon’s license, Forms L1A-L1F ✓
SAMPLE L1B ✓ ✓
USMLE Step 1
USMLE Step 2 CS
USMLE Step 2 CK
USMLE Step 3
mm/dd/yy
Complete all fields, answer all questions and have the application notarized
All six forms must be submitted together
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

10. All six forms must be submitted together
PTAL
PTAL
Application for physician’s and surgeon’s license, Forms L1A-L1F ✓
SAMPLE L1B
Complete all fields, answer all questions and have the application notarized
All six forms must be submitted together
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

11. All six forms must be submitted together
PTAL
PTAL
Application for physician’s and surgeon’s license, Forms L1A-L1F ✓ ✓
SAMPLE L1C
Complete all fields, answer all questions and have the application notarized
All six forms must be submitted together
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

12. All six forms must be submitted together
PTAL
PTAL
Application for physician’s and surgeon’s license, Forms L1A-L1F ✓ ✓ ✓
SAMPLE L1C
Complete all fields, answer all questions and have the application notarized
All six forms must be submitted together
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

13. All six forms must be submitted together
PTAL
PTAL
Application for physician’s and surgeon’s license, Forms L1A-L1F ✓ ✓
SAMPLE L1D
Complete all fields, answer all questions and have the application notarized
All six forms must be submitted together
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

14. All six forms must be submitted together✓
PTAL
Application for physician’s and surgeon’s license, Forms L1A-L1F ✓
SAMPLE L1D
Complete all fields, answer all questions and have the application notarized
All six forms must be submitted together
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

15. All six forms must be submitted together
PTAL ✓
PTAL
Application for physician’s and surgeon’s license, Forms L1A-L1F ✓
SAMPLE L1E
Complete all fields, answer all questions and have the application notarized
All six forms must be submitted together
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

16. All six forms must be submitted together✓
PTAL
Application for physician’s and surgeon’s license, Forms L1A-L1F ✓
SAMPLE L1E
Complete all fields, answer all questions and have the application notarized
All six forms must be submitted together
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

17. All six forms must be submitted together
PTAL ✓
PTAL
Application for physician’s and surgeon’s license, Forms L1A-L1F ✓
SAMPLE L1F
Complete all fields, answer all questions and have the application notarized
All six forms must be submitted together
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

18. All six forms must be submitted together
PTAL ✓
PTAL
Application for physician’s and surgeon’s license, Forms L1A-L1F ✓
SAMPLE L1F
Complete all fields, answer all questions and have the application notarized
All six forms must be submitted together
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

19. to obtain the names, location, and fees of approved fingerprint sites
PTAL ✓
PTAL
Fingerprints: Live Scan Form ✓
Criminal Records Check from both the California Department of Justice and The Federal Bureau of Investigation must be received prior to the issuance of a PTAL
NOTE: If you have ever been convicted, the record of conviction will be reported to the Board as a result of your fingerprint inquiry. The Board receives results for all convictions: misdemeanors, felonies, infractions and citations. If in doubt, it’s better to answer “yes” on the L1E form and include an explanation
The “Request For Live Scan Service” form is required to have your fingerprints processed by Live Scan. This form must be completed in triplicate
Ensure that all personal data (name, AKA’s, date of birth, sex, height, weight, eye color, hair color, place of birth, Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, California’s driver’s license number and home address) is provided on each of the three forms
The last section of the form requires information from the fingerprint agency; please ensure this information is completed or the forms will be void
It your responsibility to ensure that the person scanning the fingerprints submits TWO digital prints, one for the DOJ and one for the FBI
Access the website
to obtain the names, location, and fees
of approved fingerprint sites
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

20. SAMPLE LIVE SCAN FORM PTAL PTAL Fingerprints: Live Scan Form ✓ ✓
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

21. SAMPLE LIVE SCAN FORM PTAL PTAL Fingerprints: Live Scan Form ✓ ✓
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

22. SAMPLE LIVE SCAN FORM PTAL Fingerprints: Live Scan Form ✓ ✓
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

23. 2) Examination Documentation

24. application checklist
PTAL
application checklist
PTAL
ECFMG Certification Status Report
A Certification Status Report from the Educational Council for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is required to verify your certification is valid
The ECFMG must mail the Certification Status Report directly to the Board to be acceptable
Go to and log in as an International Medical Graduate
Click on “Go to CVS ON-LINE”
Log in using your USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number and Password

25. application checklist
PTAL
application checklist
PTAL
ECFMG Certification Status Report
4) Once you log in, make sure the information shown is correct
5) Check the box to confirm your information in correct
6) Make a Request ✓

26. application checklist
PTAL
application checklist
PTAL
ECFMG Certification Status Report
7) In Country select “USA”
8) In State/Province select "CA”. The Medical Board of California information will appear automatically
9) Select “Finish”
10) Select “Continue To Payment System” and complete the transaction. Your ECFMG Certification will be sent directly to The Medical Board of California

27. application checklist
PTAL
application checklist
PTAL
Official Examination Scores from the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB)
Go to: and create a new account
You will have to use your ECFMG number to proceed with the registration process
Once you do it, your FSMB account will be linked with your ECFMG and you will be able to request your official USMLE scores

28. application checklist
PTAL
application checklist
PTAL
Official Examination Scores from the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB)
Once you log in, make sure all the information shown is correct and click ”Continue” at the bottom of the page
Check the ”USMLE” box and select “Send to a Medical Licensing Authority” and then “Medical Board of California”
On the next screen click “Continue”
On the next screen check the box under “Terms & Conditions” and click on ”Checkout”
Pay the $70 fee and your Official Examination Scores will be sent directly to The Medical Board of California ✓

29. 3) Medical Education Documentation

30. application checklist
PTAL
application checklist
PTAL
Certificate of Medical Education, Form L2
A Certificate of Medical Education, Form L2, is required from each medical school attended
Complete the applicant information at the top of the form and mail it to your medical school
The form will need to be completed, signed and dated by the school official and affixed with the official medical school seal
Any fields or questions left unanswered will require completion of a new form
The form L2 must be mailed directly from the medical school
to the Board to be acceptable
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

31. SAMPLE L2 PTAL application checklist PTAL
Certificate of Medical Education, Form L2 ✓
SAMPLE L2
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

32. SAMPLE L2 PTAL application checklist PTAL
Certificate of Medical Education, Form L2
SAMPLE L2
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

33. SAMPLE L2 PTAL Certificate of Medical Education, Form L2
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

34. Official Medical School Transcript
PTAL
Official Medical School Transcript
An original medical school transcript, prepared on University letterhead affixed with the signature of the dean or registrar and the medical school seal, documenting all of the basic science and clinical courses completed during the medical curriculum is required
A transcript is required from each medical school attended
If the official language of instruction is in a language other than English, the official transcript will need to be translated
The transcript must be mailed directly from the medical school to the Board to be acceptable
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

35. OFFICIAL MEDICAL SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS
PTAL
Official Medical School Transcript
SAMPLE
OFFICIAL MEDICAL SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

36. OFFICIAL MEDICAL SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS
PTAL
Official Medical School Transcript
SAMPLE
OFFICIAL MEDICAL SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

37. OFFICIAL MEDICAL SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS
PTAL
Official Medical School Transcript
SAMPLE
OFFICIAL MEDICAL SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

38. OFFICIAL MEDICAL SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS
PTAL
Official Medical School Transcript
SAMPLE
OFFICIAL MEDICAL SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS
fffffffffffffffffffffffffffff
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

39. OFFICIAL MEDICAL SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS
PTAL
Official Medical School Transcript
SAMPLE
OFFICIAL MEDICAL SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

40. Certified Copy of Medical School Diploma
PTAL
Certified Copy of Medical School Diploma
A certified copy of your medical school diploma is required
The certified copy must have the original signature of the dean or registrar of the medical school, be affixed with the official medical school seal, and include a statement attesting that the copy is a true and correct copy of the original
If the official language of instruction is in a language other than English, the official medical school diploma will need to be translated
The certified copy of your diploma must be mailed directly from the medical school to the Board to be acceptable
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

41. OFFICIAL MEDICAL SCHOOL DIPLOMA
PTAL
Certified Copy of Medical School Diploma
SAMPLE
OFFICIAL MEDICAL SCHOOL DIPLOMA
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

42. Certified English Translations (if applicable)
PTAL
Certified English Translations
(if applicable)
If the official language of instruction is in a language other than English, an official English translation will be required
Certified English translations are required for all academic documents that are not prepared in the English language
Refer to the Translation of International Academic Credentials for details regarding acceptable translations
The certified translation must be mailed directly to the Board to be acceptable
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

43. Certificate of Clinical Training, Form L5
PTAL
Certificate of Clinical Training,
Form L5
A Certificate of Clinical Training, Form L5, is required to report all undergraduate clinical clerkships
Complete the applicant information at the top of the form and mail it to your medical school
The form will need to be completed, signed and dated by the school official and affixed with the official medical school seal
You may print or copy as many forms as necessary to provide a compete breakdown of your undergraduate clinical training
The form(s) L5 must be mailed directly from the medical school
to the Board to be acceptable
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

44. Certificate of Clinical Training, Form L5
PTAL
Certificate of Clinical Training, Form L5
Report undergraduate clinical clerkships where you participated in DIRECT, HANDS-ON DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT OF PATIENTS IN A CLINICAL SETTING
Minimal instruction in clinical courses is 72 weeks, with a minimum of:
8 weeks of Internal Medicine
8 weeks of Surgery
6 weeks of Pediatrics
6 weeks of OB/GYN
4 weeks of Psychiatry
4 weeks of Family Medicine
There shall be an additional 4 weeks in one of the core clinical clerkship rotations
You need to include the clinical clerkships completed during your 5th year (internship year)
Clinical clerkships completed in your 3rd year do not count towards the 72 week requirement
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

45. SAMPLE L5 PTAL Certificate of Clinical Training, Form L5
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

46. SAMPLE L5 PTAL Certificate of Clinical Training, Form L5
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

47. SAMPLE L5 PTAL Certificate of Clinical Training, Form L5
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

48. SAMPLE L5 EXPLANATION FORM
PTAL
Explanation to Form L5
If your Official Medical School Transcripts do not show exactly the same information shown on your L5, it’s better to ask you Medical School to include an official explanation with the breakdown of your clinical courses
Doing so, you will avoid confusion and delays in your PTAL issuance
L5 Form
SAMPLE L5 EXPLANATION FORM
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

49. SAMPLE L5 EXPLANATION FORM
PTAL
Explanation to Form L5
SAMPLE L5 EXPLANATION FORM
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

50. Certificate of Individual Clinical Clerkship, Form L6 (if applicable)
PTAL
Certificate of Individual Clinical Clerkship, Form L6 (if applicable)
Certificate of Individual Clinical Clerkship Training, Form L6, is required for each undergraduate clinical clerkship completed outside of the primary teaching hospital of the medical school of attendance
The form must be submitted to the hospital where the clerkship was completed and the current program or clinical instructor must verify completion of the clerkship
The completed Form(s) L6 must be submitted directly from the facility to the Board to be acceptable
If the hospital where an undergraduate clinical rotation was completed is now closed, the medical school may provide a certified copy of the student evaluation form that was initially completed by the sponsorship hospital
The copy must be affixed with the medical school seal and signature of the dean certifying it is a true copy of the original document and mailed directly to the Board

51. PTAL
Certificate of Individual Clinical Clerkship, Form L6 (if applicable)
SAMPLE L6
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

52. SAMPLE L6 PTAL Certificate of Individual Clinical Clerkship,
Form L6 (if applicable)
SAMPLE L6
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

53. 4) Other Items

54. Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA 95815-3831
PTAL:
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Submit a signed and dated current CV with your Application
Example
Name, MD
Address
Contact Number
EDUCATION
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
COURSES AND CONFERENCES
REFERENCES
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

55. SAMPLE TIMELINE OF ACTIVITIES
PTAL
Timeline of Activities
SAMPLE TIMELINE OF ACTIVITIES
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

56. SAMPLE TIMELINE OF ACTIVITIES
PTAL
Timeline of Activities
A complete timeline from the graduation of medical school to present is required.
Provide the Board with a written chronological description of all your professional and non-professional activities with no gaps.
If you have completed any externships, observerships, or volunteers activities in California, please include a detailed description of your duties and responsibilities along with the location and name of the supervising physician.
Mail your signed and dated timeline of Activities form directly to the Board
SAMPLE TIMELINE OF ACTIVITIES
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

57. SAMPLE EXPLANATION TO APPLICATION QUESTIONS
PTAL:
Explanation to Application Questions
(if applicable)
SAMPLE EXPLANATION TO APPLICATION QUESTIONS
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

58. PTAL: Explanation to Application Questions (if applicable)
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

59. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

60. PTAL: Additional Information
Once formally admitted to an ACGME-accredited postgraduate training program, you must complete and return the Postgraduate Training Registration Form which may be obtained from the Board’s website
The PTAL is valid for one year from the date of issuance
You are required to update your file on a yearly basis by completing the Application, Forms L1A-F
Check the update box at the top of the form and include your file number
No additional fees are required
You must mail in the Update Application along with a current Timeline of Activities form
An Update Application may not be submitted using the BreeEZe online application system
Address: 2005 Evergreen, Suite 1200, Sacramento, CA
Phone: (916) or (800)
Fax: (916)
Website:

61. Additional Information
PTAL:
Additional Information
Begin the process ASAP
Start gathering materials and dates now, whatever program you are in (A, B, C, D)
The sooner you start collecting the necessary information and checking dates the better
Check and double check all dates and other information to ensure consistency across all documentation
Do not send blank forms to your medical school unless you are absolutely certain that they will be correctly completed
Following the above instructions and sending a ”reference copy” electronically and/or physically will greatly reduce the likelihood of errors and unnecessary delays/questions

62. Additional Information
PTAL:
Additional Information
Request a copy of your transcripts/grades/diploma for yourself to use as a reference
Since your medical school will need to submit official copies directly to the Medical Board, you should ask for an additional copy so you can make sure the official dates and the dates on your PTAL correspond
Contact and stay in contact with your medical school – the sooner the better
Call your medical school and identify the person who will complete the forms
Ask 1) if they have completed a PTAL in the past specifically for the Medical Board of California, 2) how much the process will cost, and 3) a time estimate to submit the documentation once they receive it

63. Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter (PTAL)
Step by Step Guide