How to Make a Good Choice Choosing a New Doctor
The Medical Board of California does not provide a referral service for consumers who need to choose a doctor. However, the following information may help you make a choice.
Check with your Insurance Plan
If you have health insurance, the first place to check is with your insurer or your employer's benefits office. Many insurance plans limit your choice to a list of doctors who agree to certain requirements. Many plans also require you to select a primary care physician (PCP) from their list. The PCP is then responsible for your care, and must make any necessary referrals to specialists or other health professionals.
Research your Options
If you are not limited to a specific list of doctors, you may want to check your local yellow pages or perform an internet search. Most physicians are listed in the telephone yellow pages and, in larger communities, they are listed by specialty. You should consider a family physician or internal medicine specialist (internist) to serve as your PCP to provide overall management of your health care. You also may want to choose an obstetrician/gynecologist if you are a woman, or a pediatrician for your children. If you are elderly, and have conditions associated with aging, you may want to seek a specialist in geriatrics as your PCP. Regardless, be sure your insurance will cover the doctor's services before you incur any charges.
You may want to talk with friends or co-workers about physicians they like. If this is not feasible, most county medical societies will give you names of physicians in your area who are in the practice specialty you are seeking.
Make Contact
Once you have some names, call the doctors and ask if they are accepting new patients. Be sure to ask whether they will accept your insurance plan (insurance plan lists often are outdated, as physicians are added or deleted from the plan).
Ideally, you should meet the physician and discuss your health concerns while you are well. This may be a good time to have a history and physical examination performed, but, again, make sure your insurance will cover it. Most plans will not cover an informal visit just to get acquainted.
Before you make an appointment, call the Medical Board or check on our website (License Search) to verify that the doctor has a current California license.
FAQs
The internal medicine board exam is pass/fail based on your entire test performance. Over the past two years, the ABIM pass rate for first-time test takers has fallen from 93% to 88%.
How long will it take to get a California medical license? ›
Around 300 physicians apply for a California Medical License each month, making California one of the most popular states for physicians. Depending on your credentials and practice history, expect the process to take between 3-6 months.
How long does a PTL application take? ›
Data pertains to applications reviewed 08/16/2024 through 08/22/2024:
| Processing Times |
|---|
| Application Type | Average Processing Time as of 08/22/2024* |
|---|
| Postgraduate Training License Application | 41 Days |
| Transition from a PTL to a Physician's and Surgeon's License Application | 42 Days |
2 more rowsUnprofessional conduct (breach of confidence, record alteration, filing fraudulent insurance claims, misleading advertising, arrest or conviction) Office practice issues (failure to provide medical records to a patient, failure to sign a death certificate, patient abandonment.)
How many people fail medical board? ›
In 2022, the overall pass rate was 88.9%, but the pass rate for first time test takers from a US residency was 98.2%. The pass rate for repeat US test takers was 70.8%, and the pass rate for international repeats was 42.1%. Aha. You don't have to average in a lot of 42%'s to bring the average down significantly.
Which board exam is the hardest? ›
Boards with the Highest Proportion of Hard Questions
| S. No. | Name of the Board | Percentage of tough questions |
|---|
| 1 | Tripura Board of Secondary Education (TBSE) | 66.60% |
| 2 | Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) | 53.57% |
| 3 | Goa Board | 44.66% |
| 4 | Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education (CGBSE) | 44.44% |
1 more rowJul 31, 2024
Application Fee: $674, payable online via BreEZe. PTL Enrollment Form - Submitted by the GME Office. Certified Medical School Transcript - Request from medical school post-application submission. E-transcripts are acceptable if sent directly to [email protected].
How to obtain PTL in California? ›
Applying for a Postgraduate Training License (PTL)
An applicant may apply for a PTL if they have graduated from a Board-approved medical school (Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 2084), passed all required examinations, and will be enrolling or are enrolled in a California ACGME-accredited residency program.
Can you moonlight with a PTL? ›
Only residents who hold a Post-graduate Training License (PTL) or a permanent license to practice medicine in the State of California, and have completed at least 12 months of post-graduate training are permitted to moonlight. Residents must not be required to engage in moonlighting.
What are 3 of the most common items that are considered unprofessional conduct by state medical practice acts? ›
What Is Considered Unprofessional Conduct?
- Alcohol and substance abuse.
- Sexual misconduct.
- Neglect of a patient.
- Failing to meet the accepted standard of care in a state.
- Prescribing drugs in excess or without legitimate reason.
- Dishonesty during the license application process.
- Conviction of a felony.
- Fraud.
In fact, dating current patients is strictly prohibited by both the American Medical Association (AMA) Code of Medical Ethics and the Medical Board of California as it constitutes unethical, unprofessional conduct that exploits the physician-patient relationship.
What is the statute of limitations for medical board in California? ›
Seven (7) years between when the act or omission alleged as the ground for disciplinary action occurred and when an Accusation to take disciplinary action is filed. Please note: the deadline for the statute of limitations is when the Board files an Accusation.
What is the most difficult medical board exam? ›
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) takes the top spot as the most challenging exam in the US, with an average preparation time ranging from 200 to 400 hours for each of its three steps.
How hard are med school board exams? ›
The board exams
The board exams to become a certified medical doctor are universally regarded as one of the most difficult parts of medical school. The first exam, the USMLE Step 1, is one of the hardest. Luckily, your knowledge of basic medical science will be about as good as it's ever going to be at this point.
How hard is the US medical licensing exam? ›
No matter which step you are preparing for, the USMLE exams are challenging. It is important to plan your study schedule, start early, and do lots of practice questions and exams. If you are struggling with any aspect of your preparation, a tutor can help get you on track to succeed.
Is the medical entrance exam hard? ›
The MCAT is considered one of the toughest grad school entrance exams in the US. It tests biology, physics, and critical thinking, so prep and sharp thinking are crucial. With dedicated study and practice, many students achieve the scores needed for med school.
