prego
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 15
| | 09/30/05 - 12:47 PM
3 of 3 forum leaders found this post helpful
| #1 |
can we make a sticky topic for this in this forum (and img support) so
that everybody can see it on top?, also if there are any other states
that have similar requirements (i hear NJ), can we make a sticky for
them ? thanks.
for more questions you can call the Med Board of CA and ask there
Med Board of CA phone: (916) 263-2382
this is official information about the "Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter" (old name: California Letter) for IMG/FMG
the "Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter" (old name: California
Letter) IS REQUIRED FOR APPLYING TO CALIFORNIA RESIDENCY.
Medical Board of California application for PTAL
PTAL APPLICATION & INFORMATION 2005 package -- http://www.medbd.ca.gov/Applicant_International.p...
Payment online -- http://www.medbd.ca.gov/Applicant_Addl_Info.htm
You need to have ALL YOUR PAPERS and SCORES etc SENT to CA MEDBOARD
OTHERWISE THEY WILL NOT PROCESS YOUR APPLICATION - your application needs to be complete before they will process it.
CLERKSHIP REQUIRED WEEKS INFO:
for those who graduated after 1998 theres 4weeks required in Family Practice
2089.7. (a) The requirement of four weeks of clinical course
instruction in family medicine shall apply only to those applicants
for licensure who graduate from medical school or a school of
osteopathic medicine after May 1, 1998.
California Law BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE about the clerkship number of weeks required
www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/calawquery?codesection=bpc&codebody=2089.5&a mp;a mp;hits
(b) Instruction in the clinical courses shall total a minimum of 72 weeks in length.
(c) Instruction in the core clinical
courses of surgery, medicine,family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics
and gynecology, and psychiatry shall total a minimum of 40 weeks in
length with a minimum of
eight weeks instruction in surgery,
eight weeks in medicine,
six weeks in pediatrics,
six weeks in obstetrics and gynecology, a
minimum of four weeks in family medicine, and
four weeks in psychiatry.
(1 week = 32 hours ?)
I cant find where it says #hours = 1 week, if someone can find official info on this.
You may be able to mix some hours from other clerkships to try and make up, but i have no official info/confirmation.
If you DO NOT have enough weeks for the clerkships in medical
school, you will receive a deficiency letter with which you go to
hospitals and ask them if you can do those missing hours there.
(probably will need to buy insurance for this, i dont know)
---
After you apply your application will only be kept for 1 year if you do
not complete it (unless you show that you are actively and curently
searching for a residency).
if you want to come back to california AFTER residency you need to
makeup those missing weeks during residency. To get California license
(after residency) you still need to apply AGAIN to CA letter/PTAL.
if you have anything to add please do
Edited by prego on 10/04/05 - 03:36 PM
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| alhambramd
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 128
|
Thanks for the info prego! Im married and my husband works in the SF Bay Area. We are determined to stay in this area. I submitted what documents I had to the CA Medical Board late January. Around April they finally sent me a letter stating that they are processing my request and gave me a list of the documentation I needed to submit before they can complete my application: ECFMG certificate.
A couple of weeks later, I contacted the person who was handling my file because she sent me back documents without any note saying why she did so. I wanted to find out what it meant. But I was only able to reach her answering machine, and when she called me back, I was out of the house as well. She said she didnt need those papers anymore.
And then she goes: oh, and by the way...we found that your rotation in psychiatry as well as other electives are lacking. We will discuss your options only after you have passed all your examinations... I did not even get some sort of explanation what these "options" could be, so that I could make plans... so that I could work around to getting there.
So here I am, waiting on the new FRED system to get organized and cough out my Step 2 CK results...meanwhile I am applying for the Match 2006 by faith, not even sure if I could secure the ECFMG certificate then PTAL in time to meet the deadline of California programs...
*sigh*
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| alhambramd
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 128
| | 10/10/05 - 12:28 AM
1 of 1 forum leaders found this post helpful
| #3 |
Hello everyone! I just thought it would be a big help for those in the same situation if I update you on what I am doing regarding my PTAL application.
After passing USMLE step 1, 2CK and 2CS, I finally contacted my licensing analyst, who told me I had to take a remedial rotation for 2 weeks psychiatry and 4 weeks in any elective of my choice. She gave me 2 options: one is to ask around and see if there are any local hospitals willing to take me for remedials, or second to go back to the institution that gave me a medical degree and do my remedials there.
For everybody's information, 1 week IS equivalent to 32 hours.
So here I am, making plans to return to the Phils. I cant help it, rules are rules. If that's what they need from me, then so be it. Everything will fall into place in due time. My licensing analyst is currently asking the dean of my medical school to prepare a proposal regarding the said remedial rotation, subject to their approval. After completion of the said rotation, all I need is a letter of completion from the dean, and I'll be all set.
Let's just hope I will still have time to meet the deadlines of the residency programs, and if not, that the programs will cut me some slack-- after all, I AM TRYING to comply with all the regulations here...
I do understand that they're just trying to uphold the quality of doctors in California. I find it comforting to know that if by some twist of fate I end up in the ER in the hands of an IMG, that this doctor's credentials have been placed under the strictest scrutiny and this doctor has been found capable and competent.
Good luck everyone!
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| sobia naeem
Forum Elite
Topics: 30
Posts: 303
|
hi,
we do not have a separate family medicine ward or course work..it is combined with community medicine..but there is no proper ward for it..so how does this work out.any img from pak who knows abt this..thanks
|
| windcold
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 34
|
Hi alhambramd
Do I need to have my step 2ck and cs score before I apply CA letter? I am thinking about 2007 match but I just finished ck. I remembered I saw your post somewhere else about this topic
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| aifra
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 25
|
sobia naeem wrote:
hi,
we do not have a separate family medicine ward or course work..it is combined with community medicine..but there is no proper ward for it..so how does this work out.any img from pak who knows abt this..thanks
Hi Sobia
I talked to the CA medical board rep & he told me that if you have done 4 wks (or equivalent hrs) in any one of the following 4 clerkships, they would be considered replaceable for family medicine:
- Community Medicine
- Public Health
- Ambulatory care medicine
- Primary care medicine
As far as windcold's question is concerned, the ECFMG certificate (which u recieve after u have passed step 1, 2 ck & step 2 cs) is one of the documents required for the CA letter. However, it might not be required in the beginning. To start the processing of the application, the least u need is the application form L1A-E & the fee (505$). This starts your application processing and then you keep sending them additional documents as they get prepared. but don't delay in beginning the process. You can call them directly at: 916-263-2382
all the best!
AA
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| rashmi_k3
Forum Elite
Topics: 27
Posts: 301
|
Hi
Can we apply without SSN- social security Number?
Plz reply
thanks
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| chemamr
Moderator and PGY1
Topics: 703
Posts: 4,441
|
i think SSN is MANDATORY, i have the same problem. If you are IMG, you need a J1, H1, F1 or some other kind of visas (B1/B2 is NOT useful) to get it.
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| aifra
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 25
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If u have a Tax ID no., that can work as a replacement for a social security number...
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| drblue
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 3
|
Hi guys can anybody tell me the number i should call in order to talk to a california medical board representative? Ive called 9162632382 and all im getting is an automated prompt. Pls post the number i can call to speak to an actual human and get some advice. Thanks guys! This board is very helpful!
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| aifra
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 25
|
hey call the same number again and give them ur last name... thats how they can forward you to a representative ... its according to the first letter of your last name that they assign different representatives... these are the same reps that handle your application later... try doing that and u shud be able to get hold of a real person! !
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| drblue
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 3
|
Thanks aifra! Ill try that first thing tommorrow.Thing is when you call that number an automated prompt gives you a very narrow number of choices. When you select PTAL an automated prompt asks you for your name address, phone number etc.At no time does it offer to transfer you to an actual person. Sigh. Ill try again tom! Thanks for answering my plea!
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| zhaoju2000
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 57
|
 Just called the analyst of Medical Board of California, for all applicants' information:
1. Longer working hours count! e.g. 64 hours a week counts for 2 weeks of rotations!
2. For IMGs from China, Preventive Medicine is replaceable for Family medicine!
3. Excessive core rotations cover elective rotations.
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| Dr.D
Forum Senior
Topics: 22
Posts: 191
|
Please help me alhambramd
Guys I have a question regarding the core clinical courses: According to them they said total a minimum of 40 weeks in length and then they wrote about individual subjects an the sum of them is 36 weeks.
Instruction in the core clinical
courses of surgery, medicine,family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics
and gynecology, and psychiatry shall total a minimum of 40 weeks in
length with a minimum of
eight weeks instruction in surgery,
eight weeks in medicine,
six weeks in pediatrics,
six weeks in obstetrics and gynecology, a
minimum of four weeks in family medicine, and
four weeks in psychiatry.
|
| alhambramd
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 128
|
Hi Dr.D! What was your question?
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Today is the first day of the rest of your life...
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| alhambramd
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 128
|
I guess I never updated this forum about my PTAL... so I think I'll do that now (better late than never huh?) 
I did go back to my medical school and went through 64 hours of remedial rotation in psychiatry. Afterwards, I got a letter of completion from the dean of our medical school which I submitted to my licensing analyst. I got my PTAL a week or two later.
Other graduates from our medical school applied after I did, and they got through without a hitch. That just goes to show it all depends on your analyst...
The moment my PTAL was uploaded to MyERAS, I got like 3-4 more interview invitations (this was around early January 2006 already)
I got matched to my 1st choice program, and currently in my 8th month of residency and Im having a blast! 
Good luck everyone!
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| Dr.D
Forum Senior
Topics: 22
Posts: 191
|
Congrats that you are doing residency. Thank you for your help. The question I had was, do you need minimum of 40 weeks or 36 weeks of core clinical courses? I have 36 weeks in these subjects which they have mentioned.
eight weeks instruction in surgery,
eight weeks in medicine,
six weeks in pediatrics,
six weeks in obstetrics and gynecology, a
minimum of four weeks in family medicine, and
four weeks in psychiatry.
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| alhambramd
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 128
|
Hi Dr D... I think the rule book was pretty specific in saying that they need 40 WEEKS of core clinical courses...
"Instruction in the core clinical courses of surgery, medicine,family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics
and gynecology, and psychiatry shall total a minimum of 40 weeks in length with a minimum of eight weeks instruction in surgery, eight weeks in medicine, six weeks in pediatrics, six weeks in obstetrics and gynecology, a minimum of four weeks in family medicine, and four weeks in psychiatry."
Good luck!
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| alhambramd
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 128
|
I know it adds up to 36 weeks, the remaining 4 can be done in any of the core clinical courses. I hope Im making myself clear. The stated number of weeks in each course is "minimum", which means you can have more, just as long as you fulfill the final criteria of 40 WEEKS. The extra may count as an "elective rotation" or something like that.
I hope that clears up the confusion
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| Dr.D
Forum Senior
Topics: 22
Posts: 191
|
thank you very much for your help alhambramd. 1 week of mbc = 32 hrs. In our college 1 week = 36 hrs. I have called so many times to my licensing analyst and she is not picking the phone. What I have to do? Thank you again
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| aifra
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 25
|
Hey alhambramd,
I wanted to update you on my residency status. I got pre-matched at my first choice program I'm elated! Thanks for your help with the CA letter.
Aifra
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| drca
Forum Junior
Topics: 18
Posts: 39
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i want to know about the requirements for clinical rotations in california letter , can we include our internship as well as clinical rotation as a student? thanks.
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| qjata
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 23
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Hello im an img, and a current resident in the US. I was interested in applying to ptal, but i don't understand certain points.
First of all, i have to have all my usmle scores to apply right?
Second of all, where can i take those clinical courses????
I did a clinical observership in general surgery at the cleveland clinic in florida, is this valid for the surgery requirement??
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| glidergirl
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 2
|
hi. im new to the forum. i've done 2 weeks psychiatry during my 3rd year and then did another 2 during internship. does that equate to 4 weeks? i've even gone through the website for California Law BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE. it's the same as you've posted but i want to confirm....plus there have been lots from my med school who have done the 2 extra weeks and some who haven't .....as you can see adding to the confusion
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| bear
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 46
|
Thank you all, especially alhambramd. Not sure if you guys are still around. I'm starting my application for PTAL and your experience is SOOOO helpful.
FYI, I sent my L1 form, check of $505, diploma (+ copy and translation) and copy of LiveScan form early April, 07 and I've just got back my original Diploma. I've already have my Step1 score, but as suggested by alhambramd, I will wait for my CK score, which I will take next October (I'm a slow learner ). Anyway, i'll let you know if anything come up.
Good luck to you all.
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